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Food & Nutrition

Welcome to the Food Department

Food & Nutrition

 Subject Overview

The intent of the Food curriculum is that students will:

• Be able to demonstrate effective and safe cooking skills by planning, preparing and cooking a variety of food commodities whilst using different cooking techniques and equipment.

• Develop knowledge and understanding of the functional properties and chemical characteristics of food as well as a sound knowledge of the nutritional content of food and drinks.

• Understand the relationship between diet, nutrition and health, including the physiological and psychological effects of poor diet and health.

• Understand the economic, environmental, ethical and socio-cultural influences on food availability, production processes, diet and health choices.

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of functional and nutritional properties, sensory qualities and microbiological food safety considerations when preparing, processing, storing, cooking and serving food.

• Understand and explore a range of ingredients and processes from different culinary traditions (traditional British and international) to inspire new ideas or modify existing recipes.

For Food lessons in Years 7, 8 and 9 pupils are placed in a group that is smaller than the average teaching group, with approximately 22 students. Each group has a Food lesson twice over the 2-week timetable.

Students who choose to study a food related course at KS4 have 5–6 hours of curriculum time over the 2-week timetable, some of which will be practical work. The overall grade for the KS4 food courses is determined by a mixture of assessment tasks (undertaken in curriculum time) and a written exam paper at the end of the course. 

Meet the Food Department

The department team consists of three members of staff. These are:

Name Title
Mrs J South Head of Department
Mrs G Otway Teacher of Food
Ms F McColl Food Technician