Bostin Fittle

Enrichment case study (Trust-wide)

In a partnership between the Black Country Living Museum (BCLM), Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy (OSCA) and Ormiston New Academy, fifty Ormiston students embraced the opportunity to participate in a youth-led project “Bostin Fittle”, generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Ormiston Trust.

What we did

Students from across Years 7-10 at Ormiston Sandwell and Ormiston New Academy had the unique opportunity to participate in the “Bostin Fittle” project – a Black Country phrase meaning ‘great food’. They explored the changing pattern of food consumption from the 1940s to 1960s and the impact this period had on the diet of Black Country residents.

As part of the sixth-month programme, students worked alongside teachers, experts, partners and the OAT Enrichment team to develop their journalistic, historical and research skills to find out about the changing societal landscape throughout that period. Throughout the project, the students produced a collection of engaging online audio and visual content, a culinary cookbook showcasing community stories and locally inspired and historical dishes, with recipes including cheese and broccoli bake, cottage pie and challah bread.

The launch of the cookbook took place at the Black Country Living Museum, an open-air museum of over forty rebuilt historic buildings that tell the story of the Black Country – the region which OSCA and NEW are proud to represent.

What we achieved

The book proved to be a “bostin” success and went on to win a prestigious international Gourmand World Cookbook Award in the local category for a recipe book celebrating the history of food and community in the Black Country. The project – a first of its kind – not only developed student confidence, curiosity and creativity, but it created a lasting legacy for all to enjoy, share and be proud of for months and years to come, as part of the Black Country Museum’s New Town.

What we thought

Jemima Waltho, enrichment manager at Ormiston Academies Trust: “The Bostin Fittle project was a brilliant, one-of-a-kind opportunity for our students and schools alike. The award recognises the hard work and creativity of all the students involved and is a great way to celebrate the achievements of everyone who was involved in the development and delivery of this fantastic project. We look forward to seeing the schools continue to engage with their local communities and enable students to broaden their horizons.”

Marie McMahon, principal at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, said: “We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication to the Bostin Fittle project, which has seen them develop so many important skills and experiences. We are thrilled that their work was then celebrated through this very special award – putting both Sandwell and Ormiston NEW on the international map!”