INTRODUCTION – DT – FOOD

This is a very important time of your child's life. Choosing the right courses now may influence their future career path. This booklet gives details relating specifically to the GCSE courses we offer at Kingshill School.

The following general points relating to the GCSE courses on offer should be noted.

1.      GCSE scale of awards for 2006 – 2008:

A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G and U

Those from A* to G are passes with A* to C commonly referred to as "higher" grades. In addition a grade X implies that the candidate has failed to meet the minimum requirements of the examination either through failure to complete coursework or non­ attendance at the terminal examinations. Vocational GCSE courses are graded in exactly the same way.

2.      Accurate Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar in GCSE Examinations

Current guidelines state that 5% of total marks available should be allocated to spelling, punctuation and grammar. The full 5% can be earned with a high level of accuracy. This affects all GCSE examinations except Mathematics.

3.      Coursework

Please take note of differing requirements between subjects with regard to coursework. The coursework component is obviously of importance and we would ask you to support your son's/daughter's work through:

·       regularly asking him/her which coursework pieces he/she is presently engaged in, and/or which are coming up in the near future.

·       asking for marks/grades of latest pieces.

·       asking to read through completed pieces, thus checking for completion, sense,

grammar etc.

·       helping them to plan their time with regard to other demands and the needs of

your family life.

·       ensuring things are not left to the last minute.

·       ensure he/she makes the most of opportunities available to them e.g. documentaries etc on TV or radio, using the Town Library, using the experience, knowledge and skills of people, gathering information from sources such as the Internet.

The most important aspect of success in Upper School Courses is that the pupil should be well organised. It is essential that Student Planners are maintained and that adequate time is given to completing the tasks set.

OUR CORE CURRICULUM

Kingshill wishes to offer a broad balanced curriculum for all its pupils in order to ensure that their options are left open at post 16 level, hence there is a large core curriculum which the majority of pupils follow : -

 

Subject

English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Languages, Core P.E / Health related fitness

Citizenship / Careers, RE Short Course GCSE

 

In addition pupils choose three more courses, which account for the remaining 30% of the timetable.

 

The following pages describe the course available to your son/daughter over the next two years. The section printed on white paper contains details of the core subjects, which all pupils will study. The section printed on yellow paper contains details of the optional subjects.

 

When helping your child to decide on their subject choice for Key Stage 4 please bear in mind the following points:

 

(i)         It is our belief that pupils benefit from following a broad range of subjects and that this range should only be narrowed in exceptional circumstances.



(ii)        Pupils who choose to pursue one area at the expense of another should only do so for positive reasons, i.e. their strengths and talents in Design & Technology or Creative & Expressive should be emphasised rather than their weakness elsewhere as justification for dropping a subject.

 

(iii)     The form “Your Subject Choice” at the back of this booklet should be completed and returned to Form Tutors by Friday 24th March at the latest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY - FOOD

 

EXAM GROUP                                               AQA

 

TEACHER I/C SUBJECT                              MISS M THOMAS

 

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT                      Written Examination   40%

                                                                        Coursework                60%

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

The course is designed to provide opportunities for investigating, designing, making and evaluating which focus on the use of food as a material.


 

Key areas to be covered:


Food Product Design, Development and Production Food as a Material

Food Manufacturing and Processing


 

Coursework will consist of a single project, within which pupils will be required to carry out an extended, integrated design and make project, which involves them in the production of a design folder and a realisation of the design. (Not to exceed 40 hours).

RANGE OF ACTIVITIES

Focused practical tasks, written and practical assignments which enable a range of skills and processes to be developed. When possible these will also be related to industrial practices. Emphasis may be on the production of the "one-off" and prototype in an industrial context or on the production of products for catering outlets.

HOW DOES THE SUBJECT HELP AS A QUALIFICATION FOR FUTURE COURSES/CAREERS AND/OR MEET OTHER NEEDS SUCH AS LEISURE/ENJOYMENT ETC?

o        A course of study in Food Technology should be a preparation for living in a contemporary, technologically changing and multi-cultural society.

o        Can be useful for future courses/careers in catering, home economics, food technology, food design, GNVQ, AS and A Level, Modern Apprenticeships etc.

o        Enables pupils to acquire basic cookery skills and a knowledge of the nutritional value of foods.

o        To be adaptable to rapid technological changes and the growth of scientific knowledge in this field.

o        To appreciate the consumer situation and to be able to assess the effectiveness and the validity of claims made by advertisers etc.

o        To appreciate the interdependence and interaction of people's need for food within the family and community in the setting of a culturally, socially and economically diverse society.

o        Enables pupils to acquire "The Basic Food Hygiene Certificate".


NOTE:

·         Pupils must consider the cost of ingredients for practical sessions and the organisation needed in preparation for practical sessions .

·         Coursework includes a project folder recording every aspect of the project.

Pupils studying Food Technology at G.C.S.E. will also be given the opportunity to obtain an extra qualification "The Basic Food Hygiene Certificate" awarded by the Institute of Environmental Health.

This certificate course is already taught extensively in the food industry, but is of great value to everyone as it increases their understanding of the fundamentals of good food hygiene practice. It is becoming essential for those wishing to work in food outlets such as pubs, restaurants, shops etc, part-time or full time.