Forty years ago, only girls took cookery classes as it was still seen as the job of the prospective wives and mothers. Girls learned how to produce nutritious, healthy meals on a budget. They had to prepare a three-course meal within a set time for the exam. Girls also learned about good grooming and personal hygiene.

Job prospects: Housewife, catering work, care assistant, dinner lady

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Cookery is a more advanced affair nowadays. Both boys and girls can take a number of different avenues.

GCSE home economics (food and nutrition) teaches pupils about nutrition and health, food choice and preparation, and the role of the consumer in modern eating patterns through a mixture of practical and written work. Students learn to plan and cook nutritious, economical meals.

GCSE design and technology (food technology) is more industry-based and pupils design and make a saleable food product, while GCSE applied health and social care looks at nutrition and diet from a vocational point of view.

Job prospects: Chef, catering work, nutritionist, marketing, health visitor