Subjects


Aims

Welcome to the Home Economics department at St Mary’s College.

The department offers a variety of subjects;

  • - Home Economics (KS3)
  • - GCSE Child Development (KS4)
  • - Level 2 Occupational Studies (KS4)
  • - GCSE Hospitality (KS4)
  • - BTEC Level 3 Hospitality (KS5)
  • Staff

    • Ms D Jamison H.O.D.
    • Mrs C McGowan-Lees 
    • Mrs T McNamara
    • Mrs J Blair – Food Technician

    KS3

    Welcome to Home Economics!

    Home Economics is part of the minimum requirement for every pupil at Key Stage 3 and at St. Mary’s College pupils will have the opportunity to explore a range of topics and develop whole curriculum skills and capabilities during each week.

    There are 3 key concepts in Home Economics:

    • Healthy Eating

    • Home and Family Life

    • Independent Living

    Home Economics delivers vital life skills that enable our students to lead effective lives as individuals, family members and as members of the wider community. Pupils are encouraged to work independently and collaboratively, make decisions and manage information and resources as well as being creative! Each pupil at Key Stage 3 will have two 40-minute lessons a week. At St Mary’s, Home Economics is so much more than “Just Cooking”!

    GCSE

    Level 2 Occupational Studies

    Occupational Studies is a vocational course that allows pupils to achieve 2 GCSE equivalent grades through a variety of activities, practical lessons and continuous assessment. Occupational Studies is 100% portfolio based. Pupils will complete 2 units in Business & Services and 2 units in Design & Creativity.

    What units will I study?

    Business & Services:

    • Childcare: the play environment – this unit introduces learners to work-ing with children in a childcare environment. It includes designing a game, making a book prop and learning how a child develops.

    • The physical care of babies – this unit helps learners to develop an un-derstanding of the physical needs of babies. It includes learning to bath a baby, make a baby bottle and putting a baby to bed safely.

    Design & Creativity:

    • Contemporary Cuisine – this unit provides learners with some of the basic principles required by chefs in the catering industry. Pupils will make 4 starters, 4 main courses and 4 desserts.

    • Patisserie and baking – this unit provides learners with some of the basic baking principles required by pastry chefs in the catering industry. Pupils will make 4 different breads or scones, 4 different cakes or biscuits and 4 pastry desserts.

    GCSE Child Development

    Child Development is a broad, coherent course on the development of babies and small children (0–5 years). It encourages students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in the following key areas:

    • pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a newborn baby

    • the responsibilities involved in parenting and other family roles

    • the social, physical, intellectual, communication and emotional development of small children, including their dietary, health and educational needs.

    Students develop subject-specific skills such as evaluating feeding options for a baby, and transferable skills such as analytical problem solving. They also learn about relevant scientific and technological developments.

    This course prepares students for further study in child health or education, or the world of work. There are two written exams, each worth 30% of the overall mark, and one controlled assessment task, worth 40%.

    The specification has three units:

    • Unit 1: Parenthood, Pregnancy and the Newborn Baby

    • Unit 2: The Development of the Child (0-5 Years)

    • Unit 3: Investigation Task.

    GCSE Hospitality (CCEA)

    In GSCE Hospitality (CCEA) you will be assessed by completing two written papers and one controlled assessment over two years. You can achieve up to an A* grade in GCSE Hospitality.

    You will develop an understanding of and acquire knowledge about the diversity of the hospitality industry and customer service. You can achieve 1 GCSE Grade A*- E.

    Unit 1: The Hospitality Industry - You will explore the Hospitality industry, the economy and careers and job roles available. You will also research diet and health, safety in the workplace and first aid. This unit is assessed by an external exam and worth 25%.

    Unit 2: Hospitality & the Customer - You will learn about the needs of a customer, customer care standards and how to effectively communicate with and promote and market goods to customers. This unit is assessed by an external exam and worth 25%.

    Unit 3: Food & Beverage Preparation & Service - Students will complete tasks individually and in groups. You will have the opportunity to plan, prepare and serve a range of dishes. This unit is portfolio based (coursework and continuous assessment) and worth 50%.

    Post 16

    BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Hospitality

    The Home Economics department offer 6th year pupils the opportunity to study a Level 3 BTEC in Hospitality. This is a 2-year course, where pupils study 7 units on a variety of areas, including;

    • Unit 1: The Hospitality Industry

    • Unit 2: Principles of Supervising Customer Service

    • Unit 3: Providing Customer Service

    • Unit 6: Food and Drink Service

    • Unit 10: European Foods

    • Unit 19: Personal Selling

    • Unit 22: Planning and Managing an Event

    Hospitality is 100% coursework and will allow pupils to see what working in the world of Hospitality is like. Students are assessed through coursework, placements, practical assessments and role play.

    By studying Hospitality, you will get the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills, including; employability and interpersonal skills, communication and teamwork skills, and the ability to work independently.

    The course prepares learners for careers in the Hospitality and Catering Industry in various roles.