Home Economics is a highly relevant, vibrant subject undertaken enthusiastically by all pupils at Key Stage 3 and there is an opportunity to continue to GCSE and A level.

Pupils have regular experience of practical activities in which they are encouraged to develop a range of skills, including food preparation skills, organisational skills, problem solving abilities, working as part of a team and time management. Independent learning is important, with teachers providing support through ICT and handouts where necessary. The emphasis is on investigation, acquiring new concepts and community ideas both in written and oral form. By using a variety of teaching and learning strategies pupils engage with key issues in a meaningful way.

The Key Stage 3 concentrates on four main areas:-

• Family Life;
• Diet and Health;
• Choice and Management of Resources;
• An Approach to Home and Family Issues.

GCSE Home Economics aims to encourage an understanding, within the context of home and family, of the relationship between nutrition, food choice, diet and health. Emphasis is placed on the process of exploring issues, the development of practical food skills and the effective management of resources.

AS and Advanced GCE courses prepares young people for life in a consumer orientated society. We develop the skills of management, combining theory with practice in order to solve problems and hence promote understanding of current issues.

The Advanced GCE course provides a basis for students progressing to courses in Further and Higher Education and it is a very useful background for all career areas particularly:

Food Science, Consumer Studies, Teaching, Hospitality Management, Catering, Dietetics, Demonstration of Food and Products, Food and Recipe Production, Nutritionalists, Social Services, Caring Professions e.g. Doctors, Nurses and Therapists.