Food and Nutrition
The aims of the department are:
- To cultivate a positive attitude towards health and well-being.
- To discriminate in the choice of materials and resources related to food and nutrition.
- To enable pupils to develop initiative and co-operation to work with others.
- To encourage inventiveness, originality and academic rigour.
- To develop analytical skills.
- To develop a critical approach to government initiatives regarding eating habits and trends.
- To help pupils adapt to rapid technological changes and the growth of scientific knowledge.
Food and Nutrition is taught in Years 7-9 and is taught in groups of not more than twenty with practical work making up a high proportion of the time. Teaching and learning is all food and nutrition based, emphasising the sound understanding of nutritional guidelines.
The topics studied include:
- The practical skills necessary for the safe and correct preparation of foods.
- The balance of good health.
- Meal planning for specific groups eg, special dietary needs.
- The importance of key nutrients in the diet.
- The effective use of computer software to analyse diets.
- In addition pupils in Year 9 complete an individual research task which incorporates both practical skills and theoretical knowledge and encourages independent learning.
In Year 12 the girls have the opportunity to join a short course eg, 15 minute meals, Eat well for less, through their Quest activities.
