Being able to cook a nutritious meal is an essential life skill. At One In A Million Free School, we are committed to supporting students in gaining these necessary culinary skills so that they are equipped to adopt a healthy lifestyle and cook meals from scratch to feed themselves and others and make effective life choices in the future. As a school we are very much aware and proud of the fact that many family members of our students, train and work in the catering sector. We therefore understand the importance and value of this qualification in our community.

Our curriculum allows all of our students to develop a love of cooking, as well as learning how to eat healthily, by understanding the principles and value of nutritional and healthy eating. Students will develop crucial life skills of understanding how to shop and cook within financial means. The curriculum is carefully designed and sequenced to that each student develops the essential knowledge needed to allow our students to succeed in practical lessons. In lessons, students will practice using a range of cooking techniques, offering them the chance to refine and demonstrate their food preparation and cooking skills. Recipes are chosen, with different levels of demand and challenge, showcasing various cuisines and cultures from around the world.  By studying Hospitality and Catering, students are encouraged to seek healthier options regarding their own nutrition, and that of others. They also begin to understand the environmental impacts of the foods we consume.

Success in our Food Technology course will ideally enhance students’ employability in the catering industry, contributing to both their personal development and future economic well-being. As well as this, the course will provide our students with essential knowledge and transferable skills to improve their learning in other subjects. This skills include, leadership, organisation, resilience, initiative and communication. All of which are extremely attractive in the modern workplace.

KEY STAGE 3

All students in Year 7, 8 and 9 will study this course. A small monetary donation is encouraged from students, as we have found that this improves the engagement of our students in cooking “their food”. The school also supports any studnets or families that require ingredients for their lessons. Students will cook and bake various meals and foods throughout Key Stage 3. These include pasta, pizza, apple crumble, patatas bravas, brownies, curries and breads. As well as cooking and enjoying consuming the meals and foods, students develop skills of evaluation and identifying areas for improvement. This ensures that all studnets have developed the skills and knowledge to achieve success in the GCSE course if they wish.

KEY STAGE 4 (Option Choice - Hospitality & Catering)

In Year 10 and 11, students who are passionate about this subject can continue their studies by selecting this subject as one of their GCSE options. The qualification in Hospitality and Catering has been designed to support students who want to learn about this vocational sector and the potential it can offer them for their careers or further study. It is most suitable as a foundation for further study, providing students with a core depth of knowledge and a range of specialist and general skills (such as, operation of the kitchen, front of house duties, health and safety, and food allergies). The Hospitality and Catering GCSE consists of a 1-hour exam and a 9-hour assessment in Year 11, which includes planning four chosen meals, making two dishes with accompaniments and completing portfolios.

What Parents/Carers can do to help:

Your child has been given a Knowledge Organiser for each topic they study. This summarises the key information they must know if they are to be successful in this subject. Please encourage them to learn this off by heart and revise topics regularly.