Chestnut Park students mix business and basil during Pizza Express visit

There really is only one way to celebrate when you’ve had an educational visit to a popular pizza restaurant - and that’s to enjoy your lunch.

Members of the School Council at Chestnut Park Primary School were joined by the school’s Eco Champions in swapping the classroom for the kitchen, visiting a local Pizza Express branch to learn about enterprise and business operations first-hand.

The trip was arranged not just as a rewarding celebration of the children’s achievements, but also as a vital lesson in real-world application.

The students were able to explore how a successful production line functions, from raw materials and preparation to quality control and customer service.

The practical element of the day involved each child having the chance to make their own bespoke pizzas to take back to the school for a celebratory feast.

The School Council, responsible for student voice, and the Eco Champions, focused on environmental initiatives, collaborated throughout the visit. They observed the use of sustainable ingredients and learned about the logistics of running a busy kitchen.

The general consensus from the young visitors was unanimous: the trip was highly worthwhile.

Student Olivier was enthusiastic about the process: “It was amazing. We used olive oil, salt, pepper, cheese and tomato paste to make our pizzas. We then got to eat them - it was so much fun!”

The social element was also a highlight. Amala and Emily both agreed that the visit was amazing and said they particularly loved getting to know their peers better and chatting over their meal. Meanwhile, Leo proudly declared that his pizza, which included many toppings, had been "absolutely delicious."

The experience is set to inspire future projects within the school, giving the pupils a practical understanding of business planning and teamwork to apply to their council and eco initiatives.