Support for NEA1 2026/27

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Support for NEA1 2026/27

Planning for NEA1? Food – a fact of life has everything you need, from food science and sensory evaluation resources to practical investigations and CPD support!

It’s that time of the year- planning has begun for NEA1 tasks for 2026/27! Whether you are an experienced teacher, new to the subject or even a trainee teacher, Food- a fact of life has a whole host of resources to support you and your pupils through NEA1. We also have free CPD!

How can we help?

Supporting teachers with food science

For resources and support around food science, check out our Science through the context of food area. This area has a series of food science packs. The packs provide information and stimulus for pupils about scientific principles and detailed support for teachers. Some of the food science packs include:

We also have a Key terms and definitions resource for teachers and pupils. This resource supports pupils in the development of appropriate scientific and technical language to use in their non-examined assessments.

If you are interested in learning more about gluten-free cooking in schools, you might find this recording and presentation from a webinar with Niamh McManus useful. Niamh is an experienced Home Economics teacher who has been diagnosed with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.

In addition, we have a series of topic hubs that bring together resources and support on a variety of topics in one place, including:

the science of food
active learning - a great way to encourage pupils to take an active role in their learning
recipe support packs - designed to save time, reduce workload, help practical lessons run smoothly

If you are a member of the Food Teachers Centre Facebook group, you will find a recording of a spotlight session on Food - a fact of life's science through the context of food resources along with 8 other spotlight sessions to support your teaching and learning!

Supporting teachers and pupils with specific foods or ingredients

If you or your pupils are looking for resources around particular ingredients, how they are processed and their functions in food, you will find them in Food commodities area. There are resources such as resources and knowledge organisers for 11 – 14 years and 14 – 16 years.

For example:

These resources are perfect for building foundational knowledge that links directly to food investigations.

Supporting teachers and pupils with functional properties of foods, investigations and experiments

We have a dedicated Food Science area suitable for 14- 16 years where you can find resources around the functional properties of foods including:

We also have a selection of food science experiments, investigations and experiment sheets.

The food science experiments can be performed in the classroom. Some of our experiments include:

Enzymic browning
Biological raising agents, there are also resources and recipes to support teaching about biological raising agents, in particular yeast, in the making and baking bread area. If you have shorter lessons, you could make Quick bread buns, which can be made and cooked within an hour. This new recipe support pack will make a lesson on bread easy! You could also try making quick bao buns for something a little different.
Chemical raising agents
Coagulation

There are also food investigations, where food science knowledge can be utilised in investigating a range of foods. Some of the investigations include:

These food investigations are ideal as a quick activity to get your pupils ready for the real thing!

There are also experiment sheets that can be used to test for the presence of different nutrients in foods.

Don't forget you will also find plenty of recipes to support pupils in putting their food science knowledge into practice.

You will also find resources to support teaching and learning around food science on the following websites:

Supporting your pupils through evaluation and sensory science

Evaluation is an important part of non-examined assessments, introduce your pupils to the world of sensory science with the senses and how they affect food choice. Revisit the essentials with our guide to sensory evaluation.

Build your pupils vocabulary using our sensory vocabulary and using your senses posters.

Consider what sensory evaluation tests will be suitable for your pupils NEA. The excel version of the sensory evaluation tests can be edited by pupils. We also have sensory evaluation worksheets to help in the planning and implementation of your sensory evaluation tests. Some sensory evaluations your pupils may consider:

These resources are designed to make sensory evaluation accessible and effective.

Finally, are you a trainee teacher, new to the profession, or a non-subject specialist delivering food and nutrition in a secondary school this year? Register for our Essentials CPD course for free, in depth and experience led advice and training for teaching food and nutrition, including managing non-examined assessments.

Good luck to you and your pupils as you explore the world of food science, food investigations and non-examined assessments. Remember for more support contact education@nutrition.org.uk