Core competences for children and young people aged 5-16 years
In 2007, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched Core Food Competences for children and young people aged 5-16 years, developed in consultation with the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF). The competences set out a progressive framework of skills and knowledge which comprise essential building blocks around the themes of diet and health, consumer awareness, cooking and food safety for children and young people. These competences have been widely used, as they provided consistency and a focal point. Uses included an audit tool for teachers mapping out lessons, a guide for developers creating resources for schools and a framework to support curricular change and examination specifications.
BNF, along with Public Health England (PHE), FSA Northern Ireland, FSA Scotland and the Welsh Government, initiated a review of the original framework in 2014 to ensure that it is up-to-date and reflects key areas of priority for children and young people in relation to their education, life skills and health. It was subsequently updated again in 2016 in light of the Eatwell Guide.
The Core competences:
- represent core skills and knowledge around the themes of Diet (food and drink), Consumer Awareness, Cooking (Food Preparation and Handling skills), Food Safety and Active Lifestyles (physical activity) and provide an essential benchmark;
- are progressive and cumulative from one age phase to the next;
- could be met at home, school or through other activities;
- show essential knowledge and capability – they are neither a curriculum nor an examination specification;
- reflect UK-wide practice;
- aim to help children and young people to develop the skills and knowledge to make and implement healthy food choices.
The Core competences can be used as:
- an audit tool to help plan lessons;
- support curriculum and qualification development;
- a guide for those developing resources for children and young people.
To support the use of Core competences, pupil facing resources have been devised - see below.
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