Food
Food is the creative application of knowledge, skills and understanding to design and make good quality products.
“Food is a global issue, of everyday importance to people and a necessity in life. We are all consumers, users and makers of food. If children are not educated about food from an early age they will still make food choices, develop preferences and find ways of meeting their food needs, but from a very low baseline of knowledge and understanding. Food education can make a real difference to the quality of people’s lives. It empowers them to make choices and provide them with a greater range of options. Not to be educated about food has consequences for the quality of life”.
This extract, taken from comments made online in response to an article published in The Times commenting on the poor nutritional state of our nation, sums up the ethos of the Food Department. The department is committed to educating all girls in the school, extending their knowledge of food and nutrition, so enhancing their quality of life and also to have fun with food!
Val Parkinson
Head of Food
The study of Home Economics plays an important role in our school curriculum by delivering the needs identified in national policies which recognise the importance of adopting a holistic approach to the promotion of healthy lifestyle, and understanding of the inter-relationships between diet and health throughout life. It provides the opportunity for pupils to learn practical life skills in food preparation and whilst at the same time providing important theoretical background to issues such as nutrition and food safety.
The Extended Curriculum
It is vital for the zest and life of the Food Department to be pro-active in promoting the extended curriculum in order to enhance learning and create enthusiasm for the subject area. This is a key area within the Food Department. Activities take place during academic time, after school and during the weekend period. These sessions motivate and enthuse students, providing opportunities to extend their learning, knowledge and skills. Whilst promoting the subject the main focus for the student is one of enjoyment and creativity within food.
Food for Fun
This is an activity that takes place on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon on a regular/weekly basis.
The main aim is to have fun, relax and enjoy working with food.
There is not a rigid plan for the activities and at all time flexibility is the key word. Each session is individually planned to consider individual factors such as group size, ability, age, time of year and student requests.
The following trips have taken place and provide an insight into the style of food for fun:
· Cookery School Day, The Cumbrian Collection at Lucy Cook’s, Staveley
· Evening Demonstration at The Aga Store, Kendal
The students have access to the Food for Fun Recipe Book available as a hard copy or electronically. This recipe book was written by the Head of Department and all recipes have been tested.
The Food for Fun activity is open to both day girls and boarders. The students volunteer for the activity – it is very popular!
All aspect of the student’s health, allergies, religion and dietary requests are considered.
Community Involvement
The department is keen to support charity events wherever possible. The McMillan Coffee Morning is a popular event held annually. It has raised valuable funds for the charity. The event involves students in a pastoral setting and provides an opportunity for those students to develop their caring and social skills. All areas of the school are invited including the Catering, Domestic and Office staff as well as some members of the community.
Cross Curricular Links
The Food Department has developed strong cross-curricular links with a number of departments.
Field Trips and links with Industry/Experts
Field trips are of great value to pupils as a tool to motivate, stimulate imagination, and to enable them to see the value of food in real life context. .
A wide range of curriculum events are incorporated into the specifications:
· Aga demonstration evening and nutrition lecture for GCSE Year 11
· Pizza Express industry visit for Year 8 to Kendal branch
· Growing Well organic food/sensitive shopping lecture for Year 10 GCSE
· Day visits to Sizergh Farm
· Careers input – Lucy Cooks, Hipping Hall & University speakers
· Involvement with Kendal College, Cumbria Chef Competition and practical visits to the college
· Links with Casterton Old Girls.
Learning about food should be as practically involving an experience as possible at all ages, because food presents people with everyday decisions to make and problems to solve. Children need to develop the knowledge, skills and practical capability to meet needs and requirements through appropriate responses to the challenges which food presents in their lives. As such, food has a role to play in linking aspects of education that relate to health, life skills and in preparing young people as citizens.
