The USH Kitchen is an exciting, safe and joyous place where student leaders are challenged to mix together the ingredients of teamwork, human and planetary health, life skills and global culture to create transformative and unforgettable experiences.

 

In Year 7 - Year 9, students develop foundational skills in food science, cooking and nutrition, with an introduction to concepts of human and planetary health. They start with basic knowledge and simple dishes, gradually progressing to more complex techniques and a broader range of ingredients. By the end, students can safely prepare complex dishes, demonstrate a good understanding of nutrition and make thoughtful, health-conscious choices that consider both personal and environmental impact.

During Key Stage Four, students refine their skills in food science, cooking and nutrition, with a continued focus on human and planetary health. They deepen their understanding of complex topics, using advanced equipment and techniques to safely prepare intricate, plant-forward dishes, all while developing essential life skills. Through analysis and evaluation of food choices, students consider health impacts, sustainability and practical cooking skills for life. By the end of Y11, they demonstrate excellent culinary proficiency, strong critical thinking and a mastery of advanced topics, equipped to make informed, meaningful choices both in the kitchen and beyond.

There are two NEA (Non-Examination Assessment) tasks:

  • NEA1: Food Investigation Task (15% of GCSE) - Students investigate the science behind food, conducting experiments to understand how ingredients behave and interact.
  • NEA2: Food Preparation Task (35% of GCSE) - Students plan, prepare and present dishes to showcase their cooking skills, focusing on creativity, technical ability and time management.

The Eduqas GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition course covers food commodities, principles of nutrition, diet and health, food science, food provenance and sustainability and practical cooking skills, providing a thorough foundation in nutrition and culinary science.

In KS4 Food Preparation and Nutrition, students develop practical cooking skills, food science knowledge, nutritional analysis, menu planning, food safety, creativity in presentation and evaluation skills, preparing them for a long healthy life and further studies or careers in food and nutrition.

 

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

We offer termly masterclass sessions each term for KS4 through invitation and run an annual competition such as The Great-USH Bake Off and the National Rotary club competition.

Useful Resources

  • Recipe Booklets: Access recipe booklets from KS3 and KS4 through Google Classroom.
  • Inspiration: Watch cooking shows like MasterChef: The Professionals for creative ideas and explore the BBC and Guardian recipe banks for diverse recipe collections.

Theory Resources

Digital Textbook: Use the digital textbook and the GTP red revision guide for in-depth study.

Access Here: Illuminate Digital Textbook

Login Details:

  • Username: SSHIRLEY4
  • Password: STUDENT4

Additional Learning Platforms

  • BBC Bitesize - Reinforce understanding of nutrition and food safety concepts.
  • Seneca Learning - Dive deeper into food science topics, including ingredient functions and heat transfer.

Additional Resources on Food and Environment