Home Economics
STAFF:
- Mrs Claire Rafferty (HOD)
- Mrs Eimear Brock
- Mrs Terri McWIlliams
- Mrs Emma O’Brien
- Miss Niamh McCollum
- Miss Hannah Martin
- Mrs Annita Jain
- Miss Hannah Murtagh
- Mrs Kirsty Lawn (Senior Site Technician)
- Mrs Jane Nicholson (Junior Site Technician)
Home Economics seeks to develop in St Ronan’s students a sense of personal responsibility for their own life, to provide them with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills to make informed decisions for the world beyond school and to allow them to see the relevance of health education in their daily lives and in the lives of others. It is an excellent preparation for various careers such as Food Science, Food production, Consumer Studies, Teaching, Health Education, Dietician, Retail & Marketing, Consumer advice, Personnel Management, Health Care & for life in general!
KS3 CURRICULUM
When we hear the term, ‘Home Economics’ most of us think about cooking and food. Home Economics is about much more than food however. Home Economics combines aspects of science, nutrition, cooking, parenting skills and finance. Students learn about the inter-relationships between diet, health, family, home and choice and the management of resources.
- All KS3 students receive 2 periods of Home Economics during the week.
- All KS3 students complete 4 Assessments throughout the year.
- Students are introduced to simple dishes in practical lessons in Year 8, and then progress to make more complex dishes throughout Year 9 and 10. Students learn how to use equipment and become confident when using many pieces of large and small equipment.
KS4 CURRICULUM
We currently offer 3 pathways at KS4 which include:
Food and Nutrition (CCEA)
Students have opportunities to demonstrate the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for providing healthy diets for family members throughout life. They will learn the different stages involved in food production and processing.
- Unit 1: Food and Nutrition – External Examination (50%)
- Unit 2: Practical Component of Food and Nutrition – Controlled Assessment Task (50%)
Child Development (CCEA)
Students have the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge of pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a newborn baby. The responsibilities involved in parenting and other family roles. Finally, students will learn the different stages of development such as physical, emotional, social and intellectual.
Year 11
Unit 1: Parenthood, Pregnancy and the Newborn Baby – External Exam (30%)
Year 12
Unit 2: The Development of a Child (0- 5 years) – External Examination (30%)
Unit 3: Investigation Task – Controlled Assessment Task – (40%)
Patisserie and Contemporary Cuisine (Occupational Studies)
This course allows students to develop a range of culinary skills as well as knowledge regarding Health and Safety within this setting. The course seeks address these areas and have been structured to encourage the acquisition and development of these skills.
This qualification is all coursework based which involves two modules – Contemporary Cuisine and Patisserie and Baking. Students will complete two pieces of coursework over two years which is the equivalent of one GCSE grade A to E.
Assessment
Year 11
Unit 1: Contemporary Cuisine Task (50%)
Year 12:
Unit 2: Patisserie and Baking Task (50%)
KS5 CURRICULUM
At Post 16 there is one pathway offered by the Home Economics Department:
- A Level – Nutrition and Food Science (CCEA)
Introduction
Nutrition and Food Science focuses on the health and well-being of people in their everyday lives. The course will help enable students to address increasingly complex challenges related to human needs, the management of resources to meet those needs and making informed decisions about nutrition and consumer issues.
Recommended GCSE Subjects and Grades
Home Economics GCSE A*- C+
English Language GCSE A*-B It is not essential, although preferable, to have studied Home Economics at GCSE
Other Contributory Subjects
Biology, Chemistry, Business Studies, Health and Social Care.
Other Information
The Home Economics specification offers opportunities for educational visits and other practical activities.
Subject Content
AS
Unit AS 1: Principles of Nutrition
Study micro and macronutrients and other dietary constituents, i.e. NSP and water. The unit will also look at nutritional considerations through the life span.
Unit AS 2: Diet, Lifestyle and Health
Explore the trends in food consumption that have led to increased prevalence of diet-related disorders The unit will also discuss the barriers that prevent consumers from making healthy food choices and the health implications of making poor diet and lifestyle choices.
A2
Unit A2 1: Option A Food Security and Sustainability
Examine consumer behaviour when making food purchasing decisions and consider the issues and implications of consumer food choice.
Or Option B Food Safety and Quality
Explore securing a safe food supply from the primary producer to the consumer.
Unit A2 2: Research Project
Choose a research area from any of the other three units (AS 1, AS 2 or A2 1 ) and produce a report of no more than 4,000 words
Method of Assessment
AS 1: External written examination (1 hour 30 minutes) 50% of AS or 20% of A’ Level
AS 2: External written examination (1 hour 30 minutes) 50% of AS or 20% of A’ Level
A2 1: External written examination (2 hours 30 minutes) 30% of A’ Level
A2 2: Internal Assessment 30% of A’ Level
Career Possibilities
Dietetics, Environmental Health Officer, Food Technology, Physiotherapy, Nutritionist, Trading Standards Officer, Hospitality Management, Nursing, Teaching, Public Health Nutritionist, Consumerism, Radiography, Pharmacy
EXTRA CURRICULAR
At KS3 we offer a Cookery Club before Christmas. Keep up to date at our Instagram page for more details stronans_homeeconomics
