The Design and Technology (D&T) Department at Newlands Girls’ School has undergone many changes recently, and hopefully will be undergoing many more soon. To aid our development, progression and kudos, I think hosting AS and A2 Level Food would be a positive and rewarding step.
Since Newlands is a Technology College we, in the D&T Department, should be offering more than one A’ Level subject. Currently Product Design: Textiles is on offer and has a good take up. I would like to propose that we offer Food AS from September 2007, with a view to offering A2 level Food from September 2008.
Each academic year, approximately 50% of each KS4 cohort selects to study Food GCSE as their D&T option. With these numbers of girls it is clear that Food is the most popular specialism within our department. Many of these students show a desire to continue with their Food education to AS and A2 level. To date this has not been facilitated at Newlands, hence they have had to be educated elsewhere, or had to choose a different subject. The GCSE Food results also indicate that the teaching and learning that takes place here at Newlands is of a good standard, so it would be satisfying for both staff and students to offer the subject to A Level.
Newlands’ students who have completed a Food A’ Level thus far have done so as part of the Consortium in Maidenhead. I understand that currently, local schools are struggling to facilitate this for the future; they do not have the capacity to continue to offer it. If Newlands offered Food A’ Level it would also enable students from other schools to continue with this popular subject.
Please find attached some relevant documentation from the AQA Food A Level syllabus.