Home Economics
Curriculum vision
Our vision is to motivate and engage students by providing opportunities for them to explore real problems related to healthy eating, family life and independent living. Students develop practical skills in the safe, hygienic, healthy and creative use of foods to enable them to plan, prepare, cook and serve a range of dishes.
Key stage 3
Home Economics is part of the curriculum for all students at key stage 3. Students have access to two double periods each week which includes practical and theory lessons.
The following topics include:
- Healthy Eating
- Home and Family Life
- Independent Living
Key stage 4
A range of key stage 4 courses are provided by the Home Economics Department which are tailored to each students’ specific academic needs.
GCSE Home Economics Food and Nutrition
GCSE Food and Nutrition specification includes topics such as food provenance, food processing and production, macronutrients and micronutrients, government nutritional guidelines, and food safety. Students develop practical skills in food preparation, cooking and presentation.
Students will 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 food choices, food safety and managing resources.
GCSE Health and Social Care
The CCEA GCSE Health and Social Care specification provides opportunities for students to develop a broad knowledge and understanding of what is required for working in the health, social care and early years sectors.
Specific topics covered include:
- human development through the main life stages and age ranges;
- factors affecting health and development, including behavioural, environmental, physical and socio-economic factors;
- how relationships influence social and emotional development;
- how a range of factors influence self-concept;
- major life changes and sources of support;
- how health and social care services meet a range of service users’ needs;
- barriers to health and social care services and how they can be overcome;
- job roles of a range of practitioners and how they apply the values of care in their day-to-day work; and
- the importance of safeguarding in health, social care and early years settings.
Occupational Studies Food Preparation
These units give students valuable hands-on experience in the kitchen. Over the two-year course, students develop and demonstrate their skills through the ‘Patisserie and Baking’ and ‘Contemporary Cuisine’ units.
Key stage 5
BTEC Health and Social Care & BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care aims to provide an introduction the sector. It is for learners who are interested in learning about the health and social care sector as part of a balanced study programme. It is equivalent in size to one A Level.
The qualification supports access to a range of higher education courses possibly, but not exclusively, in health and social care, if taken alongside further Level 3 qualifications. The qualification typically makes up one–third of a study programme.
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma Double Award
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Health and Social Care accounts for two-thirds of a two-year, full-time study programme for learners who are intending to go onto further university study in a related sector. It is equivalent in size to two A Level. In addition, employers and professional bodies have been involved in order to confirm that the content is also appropriate for those interested in working in the sector.
Throughout the two-year programme, the department arranges work-related opportunities within the Health and Social Care sector, giving students valuable insight into the range of careers available and what they involve.
Extra-curricular
The Home Economics department offers a regular cookery club for key stage 3 students and organises a range of educational trips and visits to local food and catering businesses in Antrim. These experiences provide students with valuable first-hand knowledge of careers in the food industry. Visits to Tayto Castle further support learning in food processing, production, and marketing.
