Pizza Making (Supported by BSL Interpreter)
Pizza wood
FREE funded session specifically designed for Deaf children and young people aged 18 and under.
An accompanying adult attends free of charge and must remain throughout the session.
Get ready to stretch, top and create your own delicious wood-fired pizza!
During this relaxed and inclusive pizza-making session, children and young people will learn the basics of preparing and shaping pizza dough. They will have the opportunity to practice stretching their dough before choosing from a selection of toppings and creating their own individual pizza.
Participants can explore different ingredients, textures and flavours while learning how pizzas are prepared and cooked in a wood-fired pizza oven.
The session is also suitable for older children and young people up to the age of 18 as additional guidance can be provided to participants who show an interest in developing their skills and learning more advanced dough-shaping, topping and pizza-making techniques.
There is no pressure to use particular toppings or even eat the finished pizza, making this session suitable for children and young people who may have sensory differences or find trying new foods difficult.
Pizza making is a fun and interactive way for children and young people to express themselves, build confidence and enjoy learning a practical new skill. We hope to welcome you and your child to this session.
Pizza
What to Expect
A very warm welcome
Fruit juice and water are provided for those participating
Pizza-making equipment
Fresh pizza dough and a selection of toppings
A chance to practice stretching and shaping the dough
Support for beginners and more advanced guidance where appropriate
A small group of no more than 12 participating children
A calm and sheltered outdoor setting
Aprons and all equipment provided
Complimentary tea or coffee for accompanying adults
A freshly cooked pizza to eat during the session or take home and enjoy
Our sessions are designed to support confidence, creativity, communication, independence and practical life skills.
This session is funded by Southend-on-Sea City Council’s Short Breaks Programme and delivered by Slim Ricks BBQ School.
FAQ’s
Who can attend?
These sessions are for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities aged 18 and under.
We keep our sessions small, with no more than 12 participating children, to create a calmer and more supportive environment.
Does a parent or carer need to stay?
Yes. Accompanying adult must remain with their child throughout the session and is responsible for their supervision.
Adults are not required to join in though and are invited to relax, have a drink and enjoy the space.
One accompanying adult attends free of charge.
Can siblings attend?
These Short Breaks sessions are specifically designed to remain small group for children and young people with SEND. Keeping the group size manageable is essential to making the session accessible for those attending.
As parents ourselves, we understand that arranging childcare can sometimes be difficult. We also run our usual Mini Slims sessions, which are open for all children to book and can be found on the main menu page of our website.
These Short Breaks sessions are intentionally kept to small group sizes, and fewer people, so that children and young people with SEND can feel comfortable and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
If every participating child brought a sibling and an additional adult, the number of people on site could potentially rise to around 40. This would significantly change the environment and may make the session unsuitable or overwhelming for some participants.
We also offer dedicated young carer sessions for children and young people who help care for or support a family member with a disability. These sessions are designed with the young carer in mind, giving them their own special time to relax, have fun, learn new skills and enjoy an experience focused entirely on them.
Please see our main menu for details of all our classes, including our Young Carer sessions.
Thank you for helping us protect the small-group environment these sessions are designed to provide.
The Slim Ricks Team
What refreshments are available?
Complimentary tea and coffee are available for accompanying adults. Fruit juice and water are provided for the participating children and young people also.
What time should we arrive?
Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before the advertised start time.
This gives us time to finish preparing the session and helps avoid children having to wait for a long period before the activity begins.
We allow enough time for children to settle and to introduce each other and ourselves.
Is parking available?
Allocated parking is available close to the back entrance of Slim Ricks BBQ School.
Are accessible toilets available?
Accessible toilets are available inside Scott’s of Southend Garden Centre, less than a one-minute walk from the cooking school.
What should my child wear?
Aprons will be provided, but pizza making can sometimes be a little messy. We recommend wearing comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting a little flour, sauce or food on.
Please let us know in advance about any clothing, sensory or accessibility needs.
Does my child have to eat the pizza?
No. There is no pressure to taste or eat anything during the session.
Children and young people can make their pizza and take it home to eat later or share with someone else.
What if my child does not want to join in?
Children and young people are welcome to take part at their own pace. There is no pressure to complete every activity or copy the instructor’s pizza. We also provide tables positioned further away for anyone who needs their own space.
Parents and carers' can support their child in the way that works best for them.
Can you accommodate allergies?
Yes, we can provide alternative ingredients such as gluten free, dairy free etc. Please provide full details of any allergies or dietary requirements when booking so that we can ensure we have the right supplies for your visit.
Although we will do our best to support individual needs, our setting handles common allergens and we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment, however alternative ingredients for your class can be supplied if we have the correct booking info and notice.
What happens if we can no longer attend?
Please let us know as soon as possible so that the funded space can be offered to another family.
Because spaces are limited and ingredients are purchased and prepared in advance, repeated failure to attend without informing us may affect access to future free sessions