Food Technology

Why is Food Tech important?

Food Tech is essential to the future of our students – it provides students with the skills they need to live an independent and healthy life. Students are taught how to be hygienic and safe in the kitchen – with students building confidence in working with heat and knives in nearly every lesson – and learn how to plan and make a healthy, budget-friendly meal. A significant proportion of Lighthouse students struggle to vary their diet – often due to their individual sensory profile. This has a significant impact on their health, sleep, and ability to concentrate. Students are supported to vary their diet in Food Tech and this has a significant impact beyond the kitchen. Food is a key component of culture – and students get to experience a diverse range of dishes from all over the world. This gives them a richer understanding of the world around them.

What do students learn?

KS3
Students will learn about Health and Safety in the kitchen and how to maintain good hygiene practice. They will learn about where food comes from and the seasonality of foods. They will also learn about what constitutes healthy eating.

Students will develop their cooking skills including following a recipe, cutting skills, and independently preparing and cooking meals.

KS45
Students can choose Food as one of their options subjects. They can choose Home Cooking Skills, a Level 1 or Level 2 course, or GCSE Food and Nutrition.

Both these courses will give students a strong understanding of nutrition as well as food preparation skills. Students will create a portfolio of evidence demonstrating they can prepare, cook and present a final menu of dishes. In GCSE Food and Nutrition students will also be examined on their theoretical knowledge around food and nutrition.