Food Science
The vision of our Food Technology curriculum, at Samuel Ryder Academy, is to apply the principles of Nutrition and Healthy eating, instilling a love of cooking in all pupils, as learning how to cook is a crucial life skill for pupils now and in later life.
Throughout their time at school, we aim to encourage independent competent learners, who progressively increase their understanding of the subject through exploration, investigation and practical participation. The curriculum ensures that our students have a wider understanding of environmental impacts on our choice of foods and why there should be more encouragement to buy in season. The students learn about multicultural foods and experience how different cultural foods influence our everyday food choices. This enables our students to have a clear understanding of different religions and ethical beliefs. Students also gain a better understanding of the reasoning behind our food choices and the impact these choices have on the environment.
KS3
Key Stage 3 follows the National Curriculum for Food Technology programme of study. Students will have an understanding on how to apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet following the guidance from the Eat well Guide. The topics covered promote the importance of balanced diets and nutrition, individual nutritional needs, special dietary requirements, food trends, the food industry and ethical responsibility.
The impact of the knowledge and understanding enables students to cook a variety of dishes building on their skills from Year 7 through to year 9 where they will be able to make a variety of dishes to a high standard. The curriculum encourages learners to develop their food preparation skills in a number of ways, from basic food preparation to independently producing and analysing complex products. The students develop personal skills such as working independently, in teams, problem solving in a creativity way, ability to discuss ideas, working with inspiration from different cultures, exploration and reflection of their ideas, aspects that are underpinned by SCHOLAR. The students can also explore these qualities through a range of offered lunch and after school clubs.
During Years 7-9 students will be taught to:
- Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and health
- Cook a repertoire of predominantly savoury dishes so that they are able to feed themselves and others a healthy and varied diet
- Become competent in a range of cooking techniques [for example, selecting and preparing ingredients; using utensils and electrical equipment; applying heat in different ways; using awareness of taste, texture and smell to decide how to season dishes and combine ingredients; adapting and using their own recipes
- Understand the source, seasonality and characteristics of a broad range of ingredients.
KS4
At Key Stage 4, we offer the opportunity to continue Food Technology into GCSE with the Food Preparation and Nutrition course, offered by EDUQAS WJEC. This course develops students’ knowledge, understanding and practical skills from KS3. Further important attributes they develop during the 2 years, for example, is higher order thinking skills, curiosity of cultures and food around them, discussing healthy eating and important choices with others and more, all underpinned by SCHOLAR. This 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. They develop their practical cookery skills and techniques as they explore the underlying principles of:
- Principles of Nutrition
- Diet and good health
- The science of cooking food
- Food spoilage
- Food provenance and food waste
- Cultures and cuisines
- Technical developments
- Factors affecting food choice
We promote high standards of academic achievement through designing, making and evaluating results. We work together as an enthusiastic team and promote an environment where all students develop personal responsibility and self-motivation but consider the needs and achievements of others.
Wider Curriculum/Careers
Careers in Food Science/Food Technology
When we think of careers in food, the first thing that comes to mind is a chef, but there are many more careers that you could go into Hospitality, Restaurant manager, Food scientist to name just a few. Food scientists study the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of food to make sure that they are safe for consumers. The future of our food safety and the health of our ageing population rest in part with food scientists and health professionals e.g. dietician, nutritionist.
Transferrable personal, learning and thinking skills are really important. The subject of Food Preparation and Nutrition can make you better at:
- Teamwork
- Organising tasks and yourself
- Problem solving
- Manual dexterity /Co-ordination Needed in medicine, dentistry and more …
Upon completion of this course, students will be qualified to go on to further study, embark on an apprenticeship or full-time career in the catering or food industries.
The food industry is one of the largest employers in the world and offers excellent career opportunities.
We also run numerous clubs at lunchtime and also lead the annual Great British Bake Off “House” competition.
