Food Technology

Aims

The Food Technology Department aims to provide an enjoyment of the subject that will afford our pupils skills for life and allow them, as consumers, to make informed choices. We believe in providing the opportunity for pupils to develop culinary skills in addition to experiencing the design and make process.

Key Stage 3

During Year 7 the pupils have one double lesson during the fortnightly timetable, whilst Years 8 and 9  are on a carousel, spending half the academic year in Food Technology (the other half is spent in DT). The course allows pupils to be introduced to, and develop, basic practical skills and gives them a sound grounding of Nutrition and Health related issues. Pupils can experience developing new food products through a variety of design and make activities.

GCSE

We follow the OCR specification which aims to provide a challenging yet very rewarding course for pupils. Pupils have the opportunity to work with design concepts and materials in ways which recognise the need for wise choices being made in terms of meeting the needs of people, society and the environment. They are encouraged to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge to produce creative, innovative food products. The specification is geared towards coursework which accounts for 60% of the overall mark, whilst two written examinations make up the remaining 40%.  Coursework consists of two major projects, which require pupils to design and make quality food products. In both 2009 and 2010 the department received “The Good Schools Guide” award for the best Food Technology results at GCSE achieved by boys in an English Independent School.

AS and A Level

We follow the OCR specification in Home Economics: Food, Nutrition and Health. The course allows pupils to have the opportunity to study a variety of issues including nutrition, food production, food safety and hygiene, social and environmental issues and family and society issues. There are four modules altogether one of which is an investigative study where pupils select their own content and develop their own task to include practical work.

Facilities

There is a purpose-built dedicated Food Technology room with 22 fully equipped work stations and a small computer suite which allows for independent study and access to up-to-date nutritional modelling programmes.

Extra-curricular

An interactive Basic Food Hygiene Training Programme is offered for interested pupils.  A seasonal cake decorating course is also offered during the Michaelmas term.

Staffing

• Mrs S East B.Ed (Hons) Worcester, MSc Humberside (Joint Head of Department)
• Mrs J Holvey B.Ed  Sheffield (Joint Head of Department and Head of Middle School)