Food Preparation and Nutrition Extra-Curricular Activities

The department explores a variety of extra-curricular events, trips and workshops to incorporate into the curriculum.

Our year 10 students take part in a residential trip to Woodland Valley Farm in Cornwall. This is an amazing opportunity for our students to gain a good understanding of food sustainability and the working practices of a fresh food provider as well as enhance practical skills for the GCSEs with cooking workshops. Their time at Valley Farm gives students a balanced and informed view of the pros and cons of organic farming, including the differing impacts they make in terms of biodiversity, soil and water quality, nutrient cycles, food quality and economics.

Another area that we investigate at GCSE, is the production of foods. We organise trips to local supermarkets to see their production line and how they store foods.

Working with our school catering team: As a subject we work very closely with our school catering team, and often have the chefs from our kitchen come and demonstrate ‘tricks of the trade’, especially when we are cooking something that they sell, for example, cookies.

In order to improve their practical exam, our year 11 students get the fantastic opportunity of working with the head chef to enhance their technical skills. They will be shown how to debone poultry and fish as well as how to make highly skilled dishes from scratch.

Students are encouraged to attend the after school Baking and Cooking Club, where they can participate in practical tasks of their choosing which they can then take home warm to their families.

Baking and Cooking Club: students are encouraged to attend the after school Baking and Cooking Club, where they can participate in practical tasks of their choosing which they can then take home warm to their families.