Loughborough University
Browse
GElliott.pdf (83.75 kB)

Issues associated with teaching practical cookery in UK schools: evidence from a survey of teaching staff

Download (83.75 kB)
conference contribution
posted on 2009-08-05, 10:27 authored by Gill Elliot
There has recently been a great deal of discussion by the government, the media and statutory bodies about the teaching of practical cookery in schools. This has arisen as part of a wider concern about the food that school-aged children consume, and recognition that there may be an overdependence upon ready-prepared/processed meals, a growing lack of awareness of fresh raw food products, and a decline in basic cooking skills. This report provides evidence to inform the current debate about the teaching of practical cookery in schools from one of the Awarding Bodies responsible for GCSE examinations in Food Technology and Home Economics. As a part of a wider investigation into practical cookery in schools a questionnaire was devised, investigating the teaching of practical cookery skills. The questionnaire was sent by post to 798 schools who had entered candidates for GCSE ‘Design and Technology: Food Technology’ and/or ‘Home Economics: Food and Nutrition’ in 2007 and was completed and returned by 330 schools (41.3%). Analysis of the questionnaire has revealed a number of interesting findings, including issues with teaching time, problems with split-half classes, facilities for cooking and storing food in school and a fall in knowledge of cooking skills. Additionally, we have investigated the number of hours of teaching time typically available at Key Stage 3 (KS3). At Key Stage 4 (KS4) centres’ reasons for offering different GCSE courses have been investigated, as well as teachers’ opinion on the emphasis placed on practical cookery skills in the current curriculum.

History

School

  • Design

Research Unit

  • D&T Association Conference Series

Citation

ELLIOT, G., 2009. Issues associated with teaching practical cookery in UK schools: evidence from a survey of teaching staff. IN: Norman, E. and Spendlove, D. (eds). The Design and Technology Association International Research Conference 2009. [Loughborough University, 30 June - 2nd July]. Wellesbourne : The Design and Technology Association, pp. 47-51

Publisher

© The Design and Technology Association

Version

  • VoR (Version of Record)

Publication date

2009

Notes

This is a conference paper.

ISBN

1898788855

Language

  • en

Usage metrics

    Loughborough Publications

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC