NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Food and Cookery Skills

Food and Cookery at STARS equips our pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to cook and apply basic principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Our curriculum enables pupils to develop vital life skills that will allow them to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously.

By instilling a love of cooking in pupils, it is hoped that this will also open a door to one of the great expressions of human creativity.

At key stage 3, pupils are taught on an alternate half term basis with Art. The main aim for pupils at key stage 3 is to learn how to make food which is safe to eat, focusing upon key practical skills, using basic tools, equipment and processes. Therefore, at KS3 pupils are taught in a predominantly practical manner so that they can build the practical skills required to cook a wide repertoire of dishes. This is underpinned by theory tasks to aid their understanding of food safety, nutrition and where their food comes from.

Reintegration

To ensure that we continue to support our pupils' return to their mainstream schools, STARS provides Food and Cookery to all our KS3 pupils. Pupils are taught about food origins and provenance, cooking and food preparation, and applying healthy eating and nutrition. This helps to minimise gaps in their learning upon returning to mainstream schooling.

Through Food and Cookery, pupils will develop highly valuable and transferable skills and knowledge in preparation for returning to their mainstream school. Pupils will be able to demonstrate both safe and effective cooking skills using a diverse range of food commodities, cooking techniques and equipment. They will:

Develop knowledge and understanding of the nutritional content of food and drinks.
Understand the relationship between diet, nutrition and health, including the physiological and psychological effects of poor diet and health.
Learn about the economic, environmental, ethical, and socio-cultural influences on food availability.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sensory qualities and food safety considerations when preparing, processing, storing, cooking and serving food.
Understand and explore a range of ingredients and processes from different culinary traditions (traditional British and international), to inspire new ideas or modify existing recipes.

This helps to build the skills in preparation for their return to the classroom.

At KS4, if reintegration back to school is not possible, then Food and Cookery level 2 fully equips pupils with valuable life skills. Whichever career path they may choose, being able to feed themselves healthily and nutritiously will serve them well. Pupils who achieve the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Food and Cookery Skills could progress to:

Advanced A Level in Design and Technology: Food Technology
Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery (Preparation and Cooking)
Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles
Professional Cookery Studies

Strengths

Teaching and learning is outstanding, as evidenced by Ofsted, as well as by our excellent exam results. Overall, pupils make expected or accelerated progress in line with the national expectations.