Food Technology

As part of their work in food technology lessons, students are taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. We aim to build the confidence of our students in the kitchen and provide an engaging environment for all levels. We aim to help students find enjoyment in food and learn the crucial skills required to feed themselves and others later in life. 

During their time a New Forest School students will be given the opportunity to use their skills in real world situations. This could be catering for whole school events; leaver BBQ’s, art exhibition’s, Xmas performances. Students will also get the chance to help raise money by baking cakes to sell for chosen charities; Red Nose day, Children in Need and Macmillian.  

They will have the chance to visit external catering organisation such as local bakeries and cafes. We aim to make Food Technology as cross curricular as possible. In doing so students will be able to gain a great understanding of other topics, for example if students are studying World War 2 in history, we will then look at making dishes whilst sticking to the rations available at the time. We aim to give our students an awareness of other countries and cultures but exploring and making dishes from all around the globe.    

Throughout their time at New Forest School, students will be taught to: 

• understand and apply the principles of nutrition and health 

• cook a repertoire of predominantly savoury dishes so that they are able to feed
  themselves and others a healthy and varied diet 
• become competent and confident in a range of cooking techniques 
• understand the source, seasonality and characteristics of a broad range of ingredients 
• Work as part of a team and also independently.   

Key Stage 3: Food technology is delivered by subject specialists with students receiving a double lesson per week.
Key Stage 4: Students receive 3 food technology lessons if they opt for this subject in Key Stage 4.

The long term plan for food technology (topics taught by year) can downloaded in .pdf format

Depending on ability, students have the opportunity to undertake the following, nationally recognised, qualifications:

VCERT Food and Cookery Skills: Level 1- Level 2

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition:

Additionally, students are able to complete a certificate in Food Hygiene and a first aid qualification which support all forms of work in the catering industry.

The Dibden Site benefits from large food technology classroom with 4 dedicated work stations, a large family style dining table to allow students to eat socially and serve ‘customers’ as part of practical exams and a dedicated teachers demonstration counter.