Curriculum Leader: Mrs Girvan
Our vision
We live in a society where diet related illness is prevalent. Many households rely on ready-made meals which do not always provide the correct balance of nutrients. Home Economics helps to inform learners about the current issues we face when choosing the best quality food for optimum health. It is a practical subject that can promote and enhance the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities through understanding food choice, nutritional health, consumer issues and relationships.
The aim of the department is to provide a pupil centred curriculum that not only provides career opportunities within the food industry and the health and social care sector but prepares them for life beyond school.
Key Stage 3 Topics
Year 8
- Hygiene and Safety
- Equipment
- Food labelling
- Eatwell Guide
- Nutrients
- Home & family life
Year 9
- Food Poisoning
- Food additives & preservation
- Food Packaging
- Nutritional & dietary needs
- Priority health issues
- Food provenance, processing & production
Year 10
- Factors affecting choice of food
- Food culture
- Being an effective consumer
- Selling techniques
- Food allergies & intolerance
- Parent Power
- Understanding ingredients
GCSE Specification and summary
The content for GCSE Food and Nutrition is divided into two components.
Unit 1: Food and Nutrition 2 Hour Exam 50% of total marks
In this unit, students learn about the nutritional content of foods and how to meet the specific nutritional and dietary needs of different groups of people. To do this, they modify recipes and plan, prepare and cook meals and dishes that reflect current government nutritional guidelines. They also study how to be an effective consumer in relation to food choice, food safety and managing resources.
The written paper includes multiple choice, short and structured questions, and questions requiring extended writing.
Unit 2: Practical Food & Nutrition 50%
Students complete one task that involves the following:
• Part A: Research and Viewpoints
• Part B: Justification of Choice
• Part C: Planning
• Part D: Practical Activity
• Part E: Evaluation
This task is completed in Year 12 and CCEA release the title in September.
A ‘Level Specification and summary
Health and Social Care (Single Award)
AS Unit 1 Promoting Quality Care
Topics Covered: Values of care, Legislation that promotes quality, Health and Safety, Policies, The impact of poor practice.
25% of AS 10% of A Level
Internal Assessment will be based on evidence obtained from a placement.
AS Unit 2 Communication in Health, Social Care and Early Years Settings
Topics Covered: The types of communication used in health, social care and early years settings, Factors that support effective communication, Recognising and overcoming barriers to communication, Importance of communication in teams, Critical evaluation of an interaction in the chosen setting.
25% of AS 10% of A Level Internal
AS Unit 3 Health & Well Being
Topics Covered: Concepts of health and wellbeing, Factors affecting health and wellbeing, Health promotion, The roles of organisations responsible for health and wellbeing, Discrimination and anti-discriminatory practice.
50% of AS Level 20% of A Level – 2 Hour Exam
A2 Unit 2 Body Systems and Physiological Disorders
Topics Covered: The structure, function and control of the respiratory and circulatory systems. A detailed investigation into a physiological disorder focusing on diagnosis, treatment and implications to an individual’s lifestyle.
15% A Level Internal Assessment
A2 Unit 3 Providing Services
Topics Covered: The effects of legislation and policy on service provision, Meeting individual needs, Overcoming barriers to care, Roles and responsibilities of practitioners, Working effectively in teams, Quality Assurance.
30% of A Level – 2 Hour Exam Prerelease material will be based on one of the following service user groups: Children & families, Older people, People with learning disabilities, People with physical disabilities, People with mental illness.
A2 5 Supporting the Family
Topics Covered: Family structures, How families meet the needs of vulnerable members, Support provided for individuals and their families, Investigation on two family issues
15% A Level – Internal Assessment
