HOME ECONOMICS

The Home Economics Programme of Study is designed to enable pupils to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills to make informed decisions which may improve the quality of life for themselves and others.

It reflects the characteristics of the Northern Ireland Curriculum:-

• promoting the development of individuals

• fostering their intellectual, social, emotional, physical, moral, cultural and spiritual needs

• enabling them to develop independence, make informed judgements and responsible decisions relating to their own lives and their relationship with others.

Within SEELB, Home Economics is offered to pupils at:-

• Key Stage 3 (years 8,9 and 10)
• Key Stage 4 (years 11 and 12)
• Post 16 (years 13 and 14)

New Developments
Field Officer support
Field Officer liaison
Future Developments

Home Economics at Key Stage 3 (years 8, 9 and 10)

Home Economics has one attainment target entitled: -Home Economics Competence with the focus for Key Stage 3 being the consideration of home and family in relation to the development of the individual and society.

• There are 3 essential and inter-related strands of experience which define the content to be covered: -
• Family Life
• Diet and Health
• Choice and management of Resources.

Issues relating to home and family should be taught through a process:-

"An approach to Home and Family Issues."

• The teaching and learning outcomes throughout the Key Stage provide opportunities for pupils to:-
• Engage in and become competent in using the process to develop positive attitudes and values
• Explore increasingly complex issues
• Apply knowledge, understanding and skills to home and family issues
• Engage in practical activities across all strands
• Engage in practical activities relating to choice, preparation and presentation of food.

Pupils should build on the knowledge, understanding and skills as set out in the level descriptions(levels 1-8) and it is expected that the majority of pupils will be working at Level 5 or 6 by the end of the key stage.

Home Economics at Key Stage 4 (years 11 and 12)

• A course in Home Economics at Key Stage 4 should, through the process of exploring issues, allow pupils to: -
• Build on the programme of study at key stage 3.
• Gain depth, demonstrate and apply their knowledge and understanding in relation to practical and theoretical situations.
• Select and use a range of appropriate skills in a competent manner.
• Develop practical skills.

The subject content should extend and build upon the following strands: -

• Family Life

  and/or

• Diet and health

  and

• Choice and Management of Resources.

The issues based process set out as "An approach to Home and Family Issues" should form an integral part of the course

Examinations and Qualifications ( at key stage 4)

A variety of syllabi and specifications are available for pupils at Key Stage 4.

These include:

A full list of approved qualifications can be found at http://www.nics.gov.uk

Click on the LINKS BUTTON for links to more information.

Home Economics at Post 16( years 13 and 14)

CCEA - GCE AS/A level Home Economics

CCEA Advanced GCE Home Economics and Advanced Subsidiary GCE Home Economics are organised into modules with opportunities for theoretical and practical application with associated assessment units, developing and generating evidence for the assessment of key skills.

Assessment Units are: -

1. Principles of Nutrition
2. Diet and Health
3. Health and Lifestyle
4. Consumers Behaviour and Protection
5. Coursework - Research assignment
6. Food Preservation; Product and Safety.

   Year 13 AS - Assessment Units 1, 2 and 3

   Year 14 A Level - Assessment Units 4, 5 and 6

Key Skills are :-

Communication

Application of Number

Information Technology

Working with Others

Improving Your Own Learning and Performance

Problem Solving

General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ)

GNVQ is a vocational programme delivered in units with assessment based on a Portfolio of evidence and external tests. Key skills opportunities are mapped throughout the programme.

Health and social care Awards are available at Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Level.

New Developments in Home Economics

• Implementation of AS/A Level Specification
  (first teaching in September 2000)
  
  
• Implementation of Key Skills

• Implementation of CCEA GCSE Child Development
  (first teaching in September 2000)

• CCEA GCSE Home Economics
  (New specification will be available for first teaching in 2001)

• ICT in Home Economics

• Literacy in Home Economics

• Numeracy in Home Economics.

SEELB Home Economics Field Officer supports :-

• Teachers of Home Economics in the following areas :-

  Implementing the Programme of Study
  Updating Schemes of Work
  Promoting Pupil focused learning
  Promoting effective learning and teaching
  Providing up to date information regarding Examination Specifications
  Providing up to date information regarding coursework
  Providing up to date information regarding all areas of the curriculum
  Providing up to date information regarding current developments in Home Economics.

• Home Economics Departments or the needs of individual teachers

• Beginning Teachers

• Refurbishments or new builds

• Health and Safety.

SEELB Home Economics Field Officer liaises with: -

• Home Economics Advisors and Field Officers from the other four ELB’S

• Other CASS Officers

• External Agencies :-
  
  
  1. Dairy Council for Northern Ireland
  2. General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland
  3. Health Promotion Agency
  4. Livestock and Meat Commission
  5. Bmi fish
  6. Seafood
  7. CCEA
  8. UUJ
  9. ATHE
  10. DE (NI)
  11. Others as and when appropriate

Future Developments

• SEELB favourite recipes

• Social activity for all Home Economics teachers:- Ready Steady Cook

• Centre Based Courses

• Cluster Groups for teachers in small departments

• Cluster Groups for teachers in Special M schools

• Update on changes to the Northern Ireland Curriculum

• Update on Building Guidelines and equipment

• Update on Health and Safety.