Our Partnership Schools: 35 years in food education with Yvonne Mackey

This month, the Leiths Letter is delighted to hear from all-round food teaching legend Yvonne Mackey who has over 35 years’ experience as a food educator. In her role as Head of Food and Nutrition at the Royal Masonic School for Girls, Yvonne champions the Leiths KS5 course.

‘I first heard about the Leiths course around ten years ago when I started teaching at Queen’s College in Taunton. I was looking to introduce a KS5 course to replace the outgoing A-level. I visited Millfield School to see the course in action and really admired the structure of the course and practical nature of it. 

‘It was always a course I wanted to introduce. But it was years later when I started working at my current school that I had the opportunity.

‘The Leiths course fills a gap for those students who want to do two A-levels and remain in the sixth form. This combination of subjects allows them to stay in the sixth form, doing a course they enjoy and learning great skills.’

During her career, Yvonne has co-authored eight school food education textbooks for Hodder and been the specification developer, lead moderator, lead examiner and NEA adviser for GCSE Food with a major examination board; but such an impressive career had to start somewhere.

‘My first job was in a middle school in Tiverton where I was also the class teacher for Year 5. Food teaching jobs in Devon were hard to come by then and so this job was my way in!

‘Since then, I have taught at both state and independent schools, mixed and girls’ schools in Devon, London and Dubai.’

Yvonne is optimistic about the future of food education in the U.K.

‘Food education is a well-respected subject, especially since the current GCSE underwent development to become more rigorous.

‘The subject has a lot of support from parents and our students as well as the dedicated and hardworking food teachers who I try to meet on a regular basis.

‘Facebook groups for food teachers are an important form of networking as well and allow food teachers to share ideas.

‘I have taught the old A level Home Economics, the level 3 WJEC Food Science and Nutrition course and now the Leiths course which the students and I really enjoy.’

Are you interested in becoming a Leiths Partner School? Book a 1-to-1 with one of our passionate team of food educators to find out how to engage students through practical cookery and reduce teacher workload here.