Food & Nutrition
| Curriculum Intent |
| The curriculum aims to ensure that all students, by the time they leave year 9, can cook several meals that they can refer to as an adult. Healthy eating and living are a constant theme, and the aim is that students are able to make an informed decision about what they need to eat to be healthy. Students will also have a understanding of how foods are produced, their environmental impact and have a greater awareness of different food cultures. |
| Powerful knowledge in Design Technology |
| Across key stage 3, students are taught a progressive framework of skills and knowledge which are comprise of the essential building blocks around the themes of diet and health, consumer awareness, cooking and food safety. Students develop their knowledge and understanding of ingredients, food preparation skills and cooking techniques allowing them to develop their creative, technical, and practical expertise. Students also learn about nutrients in food, as well as their sources and functions with the aim of developing their understanding of the needs of consumers. |
| Curriculum Features |
| The curriculum for year 7 students starts with an introduction to the kitchen. Through a variety of practical lessons students learn how to use the hob, oven and grill as well as washing and cleaning. They also look at vegetarian diets, organic foods, dairy and explore healthy eating and living. Year 8 students build upon this and look at diet and nutrition in more detail as well as other topics such as food miles and food waste. In practical lessons they cook a variety of sweet and savoury dishes and there is a greater emphasis how to gain the skills needed to cook an entire meal. We look at how we can cook potatoes, simple pasta dishes, soups and by the end of the year a Bolognese sauce. Year 9 students continue with the theme of healthy eating and living, and in practical lessons put in place the skills they have learned to make a variety of main meals. Students will learn to cook some sweet and savoury dishes, including meat and vegetable chillis, cakes, curry, ratatouille and Spanish dishes, as well as how we can cook vegetables. |
| Curriculum Enrichment |
| Students are expected to continue to practice their cooking skills at home and we encourage our students to share their achievements. Students are also encouraged to bake items to sell in cake sales and to take part in the annual ‘Bake Off’ competition for charity. |