Introduction to Department

There are two fitted practical rooms and a smaller room used for demonstrations.  There is an interactive whiteboard and students use provided laptops for the incorporated ICT work.  There is technician support through the week.

The department is lively, engaging in extra curricular activities.  These include an after school session called ‘Purely Practical’.  We have entered competitions at local and national level.  Two students recently won the North West regional finals for a 5-a-day / school meals competition.

The department has strong links with the catering department at Hopwood Hall College.  Students attend the Junior Chefs course on Saturday mornings for ten weeks and thoroughly enjoy the experience.

At present, there are three teachers and a supporting technician.

Members of Staff List

Mrs S. Arkle
Mrs C. Smith
Mrs S. Kosser

Parts of Curriculum Covered

Key Stage 3

Food Technology is taught through KS3.  Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 are taught one lesson per week for one hour.  There is no carousal.  The group sizes number about twenty, with both girls and boys of mixed ability.

There is emphasis on practical work and learning basic skills is a priority in each topic.  Students have a booklet which covers all the topics.  They also have a homework booklet.

Key Stage 3 levels are assessed termly within the booklets where the targets are set for each student.

Key Stage 4

The options are open to all Year 9 students.  The department offers GCSE Food and Nutrition and GCSE Catering.  The department attracts students to the courses and presently, GCSE Food and Nutrition for 2006, there are four groups taking Food and Nutrition.  The groups are of mixed ability and both girls and boys.