Curriculum Intent

‘First we eat, then we do everything else.’ M.F.K Fisher

‘The expert at anything was once a beginner.’ Helen Hayes

Food Preparation and Nutrition

Food Preparation and Nutrition at St Cuthbert’s equips learners with the knowledge, understanding, and skills required to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. We aim to inspire in the students a passion to prepare and create a variety of foods with confidence and independence, encouraging awareness of food choices and the resulting effects on our health now and later in life. High quality food education makes an essential contribution to the moral, cultural, health and well-being of the nation. The subject is compulsory in years 7-9. GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition is then studied in Year 10 and 11 as a GCSE option. This course is 50% non-exam assessment and 50% written exam paper. Our non-exam assessment is split into two tasks that both have a written and a practical element. By studying this subject, students will improve their cooking skills, develop skills in time management, teamwork and organisation.

Design and Technology

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, students design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. The students are taught to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to solve problems given to them. They learn to use traditional techniques, equipment and processes alongside current technologies such as laser cutting and 3D printing. They learn to think creatively and are encouraged to evaluate the impact of designing and making on the environment around them. Design and Technology allows students to apply knowledge and skills learned in other subjects, particularly Mathematics, Science and Art within their work. Skills learnt in this subject area help develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and it helps them to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.

Construction

Constructing the Built Environment offers students a learning experience that focuses their education through applied learning. The course is vocational in outlook with students acquiring and applying knowledge, skills and understanding through tasks based on real life situations in the construction industry. Throughout the course students learn how to carry out the tasks to the required professional standard.

The course is based around the work related concept of ‘plan, do, review’ where students are taught the processes of planning, constructing and evaluating set construction tasks. Students will develop a broad appreciation of work in construction and the built environment and will be encouraged to make full use of the wide range of opportunities available to them in further education, apprenticeships and employment.