GCSE Food and Nutrition

Studying food and nutrition allows learners to explore different aspects of the journey that our food takes ‘from field to fork’. It gives them an understanding of how food and drink shape and impact our health and wellbeing by investigating the links between nutrition, food choices and lifestyles.

GCSE Food and Nutrition will help learners to develop a broad set of practical cooking skills and provide experiences to build the confidence and life skills to make healthy and informed dietary choices for themselves and others.

It will also enable them to explore and create dishes specific to Wales, alongside global cuisine and those designed for specific cohorts of society.

What will learners be assessed on?

• Food commodity groups.
• The origins of foods and drinks.
• Principles of nutrition, diet and good health.
• The science of food.
• Selecting and adapting menus and experimenting with ingredients and food groups.
• Cooking and preparing foods from different cuisines and cultures, those that are made for specific cohorts, and those which are specific to Wales.
• Evaluating food and nutrition provision and its impact on health and wellbeing.

How will learners be assessed?

1. On-screen exam (40%) taken in the final year of study, allowing learners to demonstrate and apply their knowledge of food and nutrition.
2. Food preparation (40%) to create a menu of foods, allowing learners to demonstrate their application of skills, knowledge and understanding. This will be set by the awarding body, marked by teachers and moderated by the awarding body.
3. Food investigation (20%) into a relevant area of food and nutrition, which will allow learners to choose from a range of briefs. This will be set by the awarding body, marked by teachers and moderated by the awarding body.

For more details on the purpose and aims, content and assessment arrangements for this qualification, please read the full design proposal.

We also have a Youth Friendly version for you to access.