§ Baroness Hooperasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the reasons for the decision against making food and nutrition a compulsory subject at key stage 3 of the national curriculum, contrary to the results of the consultation process. [HL57]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)The study of nutrition is a compulsory part of the national curriculum at key stages 2 to 4. Following the recent consultation, we have decided that it will remain so, with some expansion and clarification at key stage 3.
At present, schools are required to teach either food technology or textiles as part of the key stage 3 design and technology programme of study. The consultation asked for views about making both compulsory, noting that there would be significant resource implications for the minority of schools that do not currently teach both. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State decided not to make these elements compulsory in view of the potential cost to schools. He did, however, decide to promote the teaching of food technology in a number of ways. He asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to develop the scheme of work for design and technology at key stage 3 in such a way that it exemplified the range of ways in which schools currently teach food technology and textiles. He also requested that guidance. also being developed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, encouraged links between food technology and the opportunities for teaching nutrition, health and hygiene under the new framework for personal, social and health education.