The Home Economics Department:
Mrs H Tally (HOD)
Miss N Murray

Mrs O Coulter
Miss G O Gorman (Home Economics Technician)

Miss O. Rice

Departmental Aims:
The Home Economics Department aims to provide a nurturing, stimulating, learning environment where all students are valued, supported and encouraged to become independent learners.

Home Economics aims:

• To initiate and foster an interest and enjoyment of the subject.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of current nutritional advice and apply this within the context of diet and lifestyle.
• To help students discriminate in choice, purchase, preparation and serving of food.
• To provide opportunities which allow students to recognise the contribution of Home Economics to life beyond school.

Key Stage 3: Home Economics

At Key Stage 3, Home Economics focuses on 3 key concepts: Healthy Eating; Family Life and Independent Living. All students have one practical food preparation class per fortnight which aims to develop their food preparation skills.

In J1, students are introduced to aspects of Nutrition; The Eatwell Guide; Hygiene and Safety; Equipment; Food Provenance; First Aid; Consumerism and Food Preparation.

J2 students learn the functions of each of the major nutrient as well as the impact of deficiency and excess. They are then able to relate food choice to health, specifically in relation to the following diet related disorders: Obesity, Diabetes, Cardio-vascular Disease and Anaemia.

J3 students explore nutritional requirements throughout the Life Cycle and the specific needs at each stage, they also study aspects of Food Safety.

Key Stage 4: Food and Nutrition CCEA

GCSE Food and Nutrition encourages students to develop their knowledge and understanding of food. Topics include: Food Provenance, Food Production, Nutrients; Government Nutritional Guidelines and Food Safety. The Practical Food Preparation Task accounts for 50% of the course and allows students to Show-case their food preparation skills.

Key Stage 5: Nutrition and Food Science CCEA

This A2 course allows students to explore the concept of Global Nutrition and Food Science developing their knowledge and understanding of Food Production and Food Science in relation to a work context.

The Research Based Assignment accounts for 30% of the course and allows students to further explore an area of the Specification which is of particular interest to them. Many of the students produce this research on areas they are particularly interested in pursuing in the future. The A2 course equips students well for Third Level study in a wide range of areas including: Dietetics; Food and Nutrition; Food Safety, Quality and Nutrition and Food Science.

Extra- Curricular

The Home Economics Department is involved in a range of extra-curricular activities.
The Cookery Club is offered to Year 10 students, it provides students with opportunities to develop and enhance their food preparation skills.

All Key Stage 4 students attend Loughry Campus where they have the opportunity to complete additional, relevant qualifications e.g. Special Diets and Nutrition or Food Hygiene.
The Department frequently enter Cookery Competitions which allow students to enhance their food preparation skills in an enjoyable, yet competitive environment.

Career Opportunities

The study of Food and Nutrition is directly linked to a number of careers, including: Dietetics, Nutritionist, Food Technologist, Health Education and Teaching.