Housecraft, needlework and parentcraft were all strictly for the girls. This area of study was directly aimed at preparing girls for their role as housewife and mother.

Housecraft taught cleaning and household management. Girls learned how to clean an ornament and make a bed properly. Some schools had flats and as part of the course girls would have to entertain by having the head teacher or parents to tea.

Needlework involved the girls using hand-turned or treadle sewing machines to make themselves an apron to use for cookery lessons. They also learned to sew simple garments such as a sleeveless blouse and undertook garment alterations like hemming a skirt.

Parentcraft showed the girls how to bath baby and change nappies. They practised on younger siblings or babies from the community brought into schools during lessons. This lesson might also include some element of sex education and information about menstruation.

Job prospects; Housewife, mother, nursery worker, nanny, factory worker, nurse, care assistant, seamstress, dressmaking

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Girls no longer learn to clean as they did in the 1960s, but both girls and boys can study a range of housecraft subjects. In GCSE home economics (textiles), pupils study design considerations, fibres and fabrics and learn to make, finish and decorate a range of garments. This subject is being withdrawn in 2006.

In GCSE design technology (textiles), pupils design and make items according to a brief, eg a waistcoat and accessories to be sold in an art gallery, inspired by the work of the Impressionists.

GCSE home economics (child development) covers pregnancy and birth and the practical care of children aged 0-5, including a study of one individual child, looking, for instance at play, healthy eating and speech development. GCSE applied health and social care looks at child care within a vocational setting.

Job prospects: Fashion designer, textile designer, buyer, retail management, childcare, health visitor, social worker