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Food & Textiles


Both Food and Textiles are taught in the department. It has expanded in recent years and continues to ensure work is challenging, relevant to today's society and enjoyable.

Facilities

The Department has been fully refurbished in recent years and consists of:

  • Two newly refurbished food rooms - each with kitchen areas containing modern cookers and up to date small electrical equipment.
  • Two textiles rooms - each with 13 sewing machines, overlocking machines and a computerised sewing machine.
  • One design room - with 14 computers and a workroom for our technicians.

Curriculum

During the first three years at Bablake, all pupils follow courses in Food and Textiles for two periods a week. At GCSE, pupils may opt to specialise in either or both subject areas. We follow the OCR board in GCSE Home Economics (Food and Nutrition) and AQA for GCSE Design Technology – Textile Technology. Workshop sessions are available for both subjects to support pupils with their controlled assessment. At Sixth Form level, we also run a successful course within the Enrichment programme for Upper Sixth groups covering topics ranging from surviving at university to improving cookery skills.

Ethos

Our aim is to stimulate students' interest, enjoyment and curiosity through practical and theoretical tasks. Work undertaken develops confidence, decision making skills and a good level of manipulative skills whilst developing desirable personal qualities such as co-operation, perseverance, initiative and independence.

Destinations

Pupils who have studied Food or Textiles often go on to follow careers in Food Science, Dietetics, and Fashion or Textile Design.

Co-Curricular

Textiles and knitting clubs are open to all age groups and allow pupils and staff to interact in a less formal manner. It gives the opportunity to undertake work not normally encountered within the timetable or to pursue a personal interest or hobby. The Department also runs an inter-house Ready Steady Cook competition in the Summer term.

The contribution of curricular and extra-curricular provision is excellent.

Independent Schools Inspectorate