Food and Nutrition at KS3 equips students with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills needed to lead healthy, informed and independent lives. Through exploring nutrition, cooking skills and food provenance, students develop an understanding of how diet impacts physical and mental wellbeing, enabling them to make positive choices for their future health. The curriculum also encourages students to think critically about where food comes from, how it is produced and the wider environmental, ethical and economic influences surrounding food production and consumption. This scheme of work is designed to support all learners, particularly those who may not continue with Food Preparation and Nutrition at GCSE, by providing them with the essential life skills, confidence and understanding needed to make informed food choices, maintain healthy lifestyles and participate successfully in everyday life.

The KS3 Food and Nutrition curriculum is designed to support students with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills needed to make informed, responsible and healthy food choices throughout their lives. In Year 7, students develop a strong foundation in food and nutrition, exploring healthy eating principles, dietary needs and current food guidelines to understand the importance of a balanced lifestyle and the impact food has on health and wellbeing. In Year 8, students build on this knowledge by investigating food provenance and the wider issues surrounding food production, including ethical farming, sustainability, palm oil, Fairtrade and food miles, encouraging them to think critically about where food comes from and the global impact of consumer choices. In Year 9, students focus on nutrition, consumer awareness and informed decision-making through the study of food packaging, labelling and nutritional analysis, enabling them to evaluate products critically and make healthier, more responsible dietary choices. This curriculum is particularly valuable for students who may not continue the subject at GCSE, ensuring that all learners leave KS3 with the confidence, understanding and life skills needed to support their long-term health, wellbeing and independence.

For students who choose to continue their Food and Nutrition journey into KS4, the curriculum provides the opportunity to deepen their knowledge, understanding and practical skills in line with the GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition specification. Building on the foundations developed at KS3, students explore key areas including food commodities, principles of nutrition, diet and good health, the science of food, where food comes from, and cooking and food preparation. Students develop a greater understanding of the relationship between nutrition, health and lifestyle, while also investigating the scientific, environmental, ethical and economic factors that influence food production and consumer choice. Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical application, students refine their technical cooking skills, develop independence and problem-solving abilities, and gain the confidence to plan, prepare and evaluate nutritious meals. The KS4 curriculum supports students in becoming informed consumers and prepares them for further study, employment and lifelong healthy living.

Students can take their learning further through:

• Cooking clubs and competitions

• School events and food showcases

• Workshops with industry professionals

• Trips and visits linked to food, health, and hospitality

• Encourage regular practice of cooking simple dishes.

• Involve your child in meal planning and preparation.

• Discuss healthy eating, nutrition, and food sustainability.

• Support attendance at after-school clubs or food events.

• A Level Food Science & Nutrition

• College courses in Catering or Hospitality

• Apprenticeships in the food and drink sector

• University pathways in Nutrition, Food Science, or Culinary Arts

Food is more than just cooking - it’s creativity, science, culture, and community. Our aim is to give every student the confidence and skills to succeed, whether at home or in future careers.