The aim of the Food Preparation & Nutrition course is to instil a passion for the knowledge of ingredients and their preparation as part of a healthy lifestyle.
At Key Stage 3, students explore the main food commodity groups, provenance and primary processing. They are introduced to the Eatwell guide and 8 tips for healthy eating as a starting point for balanced meal planning. Understanding of nutrition is embedded through the study of the main macro and micro nutrients.
Practical opportunities reinforce food hygiene and develop many cooking techniques. Students are gradually introduced to a wide range of kitchen equipment including electrical appliances. They create dishes suitable for different meal times that are predominantly savoury. The functional and scientific characteristics of key ingredients are explored through cooking methods. Students know how to assess their results using sensory analysis.
At Key Stage 4, the study of food equips learners with the skills to cook a wide range of dishes for different occasions and to facilitate individual needs, while underpinning the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating. Students build on prior learning to establish the ability to make informed choices.
Students explore traditional British and international cuisines. They apply their knowledge to create menus that satisfy different dietary requirements and situations. They will understand the consequences of a poor diet on health and recognise the need to make the right decisions to protect the environment and to support wider ethical and social factors.
Knowledge of commodity groups builds on prior learning of provenance, primary and secondary processing, including the health risks linked to processed foods.
Students leave the Academy with the ability to feed themselves and others independently. They will understand that the decisions they make when selecting food often have wider implications. Some will build on their experiences to take up employment in the Food or Hospitality and Catering industries.