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Notre Dame High School

Notre Dame
High School

Food and Nutrition

GCSE Food and Nutrition is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials.

This course enables candidates who enjoyed Food Technology at Key Stage 3 to move easily onto GCSE Food and Nutrition. Many of the experiences in KS3 are both reinforced and extended within this programme.

Commitment and a passion for the subject are essential to be successful.

Upon completion of the course, students will be qualified to go on to further study, or embark on an apprenticeship or full time career in the catering or food industries.

In preparation for the course, students will have the opportunity learn a range of techniques and processes to broaden their skill base. They will work collaboratively and individually. Projects will include designing and making a range of products suitable for a Christmas Market, and designing products to meet specific requirements of clients and consumers.

Curriculum 

During Year 10 students will learn about a range of ingredients and equipment through practical food preparation tasks.  The theory content of the course will also be covered throughout Year 10 and where relevant, link to the practical food preparation tasks.

In Year 11 students will begin their non-exam assessment tasks, which will continue throughout Year 11.  Theory knowledge will continue to be reviewed and applied throughout Year 11.

  Year 10 Year 11
Aut.1 3 hours practical skills
2 hours theory		 Food Investigation Task begins
Aut.2 3 hours practical skills
2 hours theory		 Food Investigation Task ends
Spr.1 3 hours practical skills
2 hours theory		 Food Preparation Task begins
Spr.2 3 hours practical skills
2 hours theory		 Food Preparation Task ends
Sum.1 3 hours individual practical tasks with reference to NEA
2 hours theory		 Preparation for exam
Sum.2 3 hours individual practical tasks with reference to NEA
2 hours theory - mocks		  
 
How is GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition structured?

Your GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition mark is decided by a written examination, and two non-exam assessment tasks.  The Non-exam Assessment will be assessed by the subject teachers according to a detailed assessment criteria.  These are then moderated by the exam board.

Written examination (1 hour and 45 minutes):  100 marks – 50% of GCSE

Non-exam assessment (NEA):  Two tasks – 50% of GCSE

Task 1: Food Investigation (30 marks) – written or electronic report (1,500 – 2,000 words) including photographic evidence of the practical investigation.

Task 2: Food Preparation Assessment (70 marks) – written or electronic portfolio including photographic evidence.

Career Pathways 

What can GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition lead to?

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students can go on to study a range of Level 3 Food Preparation and Nutrition related courses, and apprenticeships.  Following on from Level 3 courses, students can study foundation and degree courses at colleges and universities, including Food Science and Nutrition. 

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition can also develop highly valuable transferable skills, including problem-solving, as well as organisational, presentation and team-working skills.

 

Career Options

Careers in Food and Nutrition include; food nutritionist, restaurant manager, kitchen manager, food product development and catering.

You can watch a great series of videos of young people who are working in jobs that use food the BBC Bitesize website.

For example careers leading from this subject click here.

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition FAQs 

What skills and attributes do I need to be successful in GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition?

To be successful in GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition, is it important to be creative, and have a genuine passion for food preparation and nutrition.  An open mind and willingness to listen and take advice will be a huge benefit as students advance through the course.

Students studying GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition are expected to be highly motivated and, together with guidance from their subject teacher, be able to work independently.  As students progress through the course, they will become increasingly confident regarding the nutritional needs, ingredients and equipment required to produce a large repertoire of dishes.

What skills, knowledge and grades do I need to do GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition?

Ideally, students who select GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition will have enjoyed Food Preparation and Nutrition in KS3.  Students should enjoy the process of developing practical skills and knowledge, together with the combination of technical, creative, and contextual demands involved a practical subject.  Provided students are committed to the course, willing to learn, and can display their creative and practical skills and knowledge, they will be successful while studying GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition.

What equipment is needed for GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition?

Most of the materials and equipment you will use will be available at school.  However, it is useful to have access to equipment at home for completing practical tasks to consolidate food preparation skills.

What equipment is available when studying GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition?

  • Fully equipped stations with a range of food preparation equipment and utensils, together with a cooker comprising of an oven, grill and hob, and a sink
  • A range of specialist knives and chopping boards for the preparation of the fruit, vegetables, meat and fish
  • Blenders
  • Electric hand-held whisks
  • Food Processors
  • Microwave ovens
  • Pasta machines

 

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