Food Preparation and Nutrition

Subject Overview

This new GCSE will equip students with the knowledge, understanding, skills and encouragement they need to cook. It will give them the ability to apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating. Students will also develop vital life skills so that they can feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously.

Syllabus (Course Outline and Structure)

Examination board:

AQA Website

7 Units are explored and investigated throughout this course:

Food preparation skill
- A group of 12 skills will be taught throughout the specification using practical activities to support pupils learning
Food, Nutrition and Health
- Exploring the function and the role of nutrients and the relationship between diet and health
Food science
- Explore the scientific side of ingredients and cooking, spending time understanding the functional and chemical properties of food
Food safety
- Exploring the need for good hygiene practices to prevent food poisoning
Food choice
- Consumers choose foods and diets for a variety of different reasons. Some of these will be investigated and applied to the practical aspect of this course
Food provenance
- Environmental impact and sustainability of foods will be explored
Food preparation and cooking techniques
- This will be assessed through the non-exam assessment (NEA) element of the specification

Written exam

1 hour 45 mins exam will assess the theory aspect of this course- 100 marks 50%

Non-Examined Assessment (NEA)

Task 1: Food Investigation 30 marks – 15%
Task 2: Food Preparation Assessment 70 Marks – 35%
- (To include a 3 hour practical assessment of the final products)

Entry Requirements and Prohibited Options

This subject would suit students who:

Want to learn about nutrition and a healthy balanced diet
Love to cook and make new products and enjoy eating and trying food they have made
Are creative and practical and enjoy learning about what they are doing/making
Are organised and able to plan their own time or want to learn how to do this
Want to work as part of a team
Prefers course work to exams

Expected Costs

This is a practical course requiring ingredients to be purchased and brought into school on a regular basis.