The River Cottage Diploma, developed with online learning specialists, Learning With Experts, has been named the world’s first online cookery course to gain accreditation by the CPD, Continue Professional Development, and ICSA, Independent Cookery Schools Association.
A first for the culinary education sector, the endorsement by such internationally recognised bodies marks a step change in attitude towards online courses, demonstrating the significance of its value in the workplace.
Hosted by pioneering, Oxford-based, online learning platform, Learning with Experts, the CPD highlighted exemplary ‘course content’, with the ICSA promoting excellence in teaching standards, a first for the ICSA on an online course.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said “In such difficult times, we’ve set out to democratise education, making it more accessible than ever to achieve a River Cottage qualification. For those who want to up-skill or have a recognisable qualification in our industry, this diploma creates an opportunity.”
“River Cottage and Learning with Experts lead the field in making high quality, insightful online education with a focus on an interactive community. This key difference of studying together in small intimate groups creates a powerful and nurturing online learning environment.”
James Day, Director of Operations at ICSA, said: “River Cottage Cookery School was awarded our onsite accreditation last year, scoring full marks. Being awarded one of our ‘Centres of Excellence’, sampling their online content, delivered by Learning with Experts, was the next natural step.”
“Our team rigorously watched and tested the extensive course range; the teaching quality was exceptional, and the courses delivered transferrable culinary skills for both domestic cooks and aspiring career chefs. We’re delighted to provide teaching accreditation to River Cottage as our very first ‘ICSA Online Teaching Academy’ in partnership with CPD for their course content accreditation.”
Thanks to the combination of revolutionary, teacher-led online learning, real-world accreditation and recognisable, trusted sources, students find themselves armed with the tools needed to retrain with confidence when seeking a career change without the traps of traditional tuition fees and commitments.
For more information, visit www.icsacookeryschools.org.
