Technology (Food & Textiles)

INTRODUCTION

The technology department has created a positive environment for learning and encourages individuality and originality, raising the self-esteem of students by valuing their ideas and opinions and celebrating individual and collective successes. We have an up-to-date learning environment where students have access to a wide range of materials and facilities. Students have access to both a domestic and commercial catering kitchen, in which they have the opportunity to learn and develop practical skills to produce a wide variety of appetising, healthy and nutritious dishes.

KS3

In Year 7, students take part in a rotation that includes textiles and food. Students have the opportunity to use a variety of materials, tools and techniques, many of which they will not have used before.

Textiles

Students explore the work of Clare Youngs, a pattern maker and designer. Students then explore a range of textiles techniques, including stitching, applique, printmaking and direct painting. They learn to form opinions on their own work and the work of others. In year 8 students build upon the skills learnt in year 7, their work is inspired by nature. They look to Textile artist, Mr Finch and develop their own ideas in his style.  They develop new skills with tie dye and painting too.

Year 7 projects include:    Clare Youngs Textile Animals

Year 8 projects include:    Mr Finch Mushrooms

Food

Students will receive an enriching, challenging and aspirational ‘brief-based’ learning journey underpinned by transferable work centred life-skills. All students will learn the fundamental skills needed to live a healthy lifestyle and will develop an understanding of food safety, nutrition, preparation, cooking skills, environmental impact and sustainability.

In Year 7, students learn how to handle food safely and hygienically whilst gaining confidence using a wide variety of kitchen equipment. They have the opportunity to develop a wide range of dishes using a variety of fresh, seasonal ingredients. They come to understand the importance of eating a healthy, well balanced diet.

Students will make a range of mainly savoury dishes during their street food project including:

• Pasta Salad
• Lemon Posset
• Omelette
• Loaded Wedges
• Chicken Kebab
• Cupcakes
• Falafel
• Burgers

In Year 8, students will continue to develop their knowledge of food safety, nutrition, cooking skills, and sustainability. They will learn about food from around the world and make a range of international dishes including:

• Greek Salad
• British Lemon Posset
• Spanish Tortilla
• Moroccan Cous Cous
• Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab
• American Cupcakes
• Middle Eastern Falafel Wrap
• German Hamburgers

Students will also learn how to adapt dishes in order to meet different dietary requirements.

KS4

Excel GCSE Textiles Art and Design

GCSE Textiles Art and Design is an experimental and creative course where students have the opportunity to develop their skills in textiles. This course runs under the Art curriculum and requires students to explore the work of artists, develop their own techniques and skills and create textile examples and final works. Links to careers in Textiles are embedded in the course to help students understand progression.

Coursework is 60% controlled assessment. These units are set by the teacher. Students will work in sketchbooks. The practical exam is worth 40% of the overall grade.  Students are given an externally set theme for which they have eight weeks to prepare, culminating in a 10 hour practical exam spread over two days in the textiles room. There is no written exam.

WJECC GCSE Hospitality & Catering 5569 QN 601/7703/2 unit 1&2

Unit 1 The Hospitality and Catering Industry

Students will take one exam at the end of Year 11. They will learn about what types of establishments provide hospitality and a catering service, plus job opportunities in the industry. How caterers ensure they are working safely. How food poisoning can be prevented and what laws need to be considered when providing hospitality and catering.

Unit 2 The Hospitality and Catering Industry

Students learn to safely plan, prepare, cook and present nutritious dishes. This is an internally assessed practical exam. The students have four hours to prepare, cook, and present two dishes under controlled assessment conditions.

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Students have the opportunity to access a wide range of enrichment activities including clubs, trips to galleries, Graduate Fashion Week, exhibition opportunities, visiting artists and other creative ventures. UCAN concentrates on fashion design and textiles techniques and working on the mannequins.  There will be inter-house baking, charity bake-offs, and the opportunity to take part in a UCAN food and nutrition enrichment activity.

Throughout our curriculum we will provide activities and opportunities for children to develop the skills they need to identify risks and stay safe. This will also be extended to include material that will encourage our children to develop essential life skills.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES LINKED TO THIS SUBJECT

The UK’s creative industries contributed £115.9billion to the economy in 2019, according to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.

Textiles students are encouraged to look to a huge range of art and design careers, as well as fashion design. These include fashion designer, printmaker, interior design, and art and design careers.

In 2019 the hospitality and catering services generated a total turnover of over £78bn, employing an estimated 3.6 million people   

The sector offers a wide variety of job roles and opportunities at many levels, including baker, bar person, barista, butcher, cake decorator, catering manager, chef, consumer scientist, counter service assistant, events manager, executive chef, food factory worker, food scientist, head chef, head housekeeper, housekeeper, kitchen assistant, kitchen porter, pastry chef, publican, receptionist, restaurant manager, restaurateur, sous chef, waiter, wedding planner.