Science

Staff List and HOD Names

Miss Deborah O’Rawe (HOD)

Mr Barry Armstrong

Mrs Mairead Leonard

Ms Martina McCarron

Mr Ronan McCloskey

Mrs Tierna McComb

Mr Ciaran McCrossan

Mr Dan McGivern

Mr Tom Pendleton

Mrs Ciara Shields

Aims of Department

The main aims of the Science department are to:

Encourage an awareness of the relevance of Science in everyday life

Stimulate interest and enjoyment in Science

Facilitate pupils’ care for the environment and themselves

Enable pupils to think independently, logically and critically

Increase the pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the natural world and the world as modified by mankind.

Outline of Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5

KEY STAGE 3

At Key Stage 3 pupils study a range of topics from the three Science areas - Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The Key Stage 3 curriculum has been designed to allow for a wide range of teaching activities that will allow pupils to develop a wide range of safe practical skills and participate in many scientific investigations.

In Key Stage 3 Biology pupils will study a range of topics that include;

Cells, Life Processes, Human Organ Systems, Ecology, Variation & Adaptation, Photosynthesis and Reproduction.

In Key Stage 3 Chemistry pupils will study:

Acids and Alkalis, Separating Techniques, Materials and their Properties, The Periodic Table, Atomic Structure, Chemical Reactions and their Products, States of Matter and Environmental Chemistry.

In Key Stage 3 Physics pupils will study:

Energy, Electricity, Magnetism, Earth in Space, Waves, Light, Sound, Forces & Pressure

KEY STAGE 4

The Science department offers four courses at Key Stage 4

CCEA GCSE Double Award Science

This is a 2 year course that awards 2 GCSE grades ranging from A*A* to GG. There are 2 examinations per core science are for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This course also examines the practical skills the pupils obtain and this is worth 25% of the overall grading.

CCEA GCSE Single Award Science

This is a 2 year course that awards a GCSE grade ranging from A* to G. There is 1 examination per core science in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This course also examines the practical skills the pupils obtain and this is worth 25% of the overall grading.

OCN Certificate in Applied Science

This is a GCSE equivalent qualification. A Pass grade equivalent to a grade B. This is fully internally assessed with no external examinations. There are 3 core units of study following the 3 core areas of science

OCN Extended Certificate in Applied Science

This is a GCSE equivalent qualification. A Pass grade equivalent to grade BB. This is fully internally assessed with no external examinations. There are 3 core units of study following the 3 core areas of science and 4 additional units.

KEY STAGE 5

At Key Stage 5, the Science Department offers CCEA A Level Double and Single Award Life and Health Sciences and OCR Extended Certificate in Science.

CCEA A Level Double and Single Award Life and Health Sciences

The CCEA Single and Double Award Life and Health Sciences aims to maintain and support the recognised standards demanded for science education and training in order to meet the requirements of various science sectors: chemical industry, healthcare, leisure and associated industries, medical and laboratory based science, food and catering industries.

OCR Extended Certificate in Science

This is a 100% internally assessed course that enable pupils interested in Science to enhance their GCSE and equivalent portfolio. This course is equivalent to 2 GCSE grades.

This course offers great progression opportunities to employment, further education or higher education.

This course can lead onto many possible careers in ICT, nursing, pharmacy, robotics, social work and teaching as well as many others in the scientific industry.

Career Opportunities

Science qualifications offer a wide range of career opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related areas. Currently this area is in high demand.

Through the study of science, pupils develop many desirable transferable skills that enable them to be highly employable. These skills include problem solving, communication, teamwork, organisational skills, critical thinking and innovation.

Local universities offer a wide range of courses that include Radiotherapy, Microbiology, Engineering, Nursing, Food and Nutrition and Biomedical Science.

Many of our past pupils have followed these routes in local and national universities.

Additional Information

The Science department offers a wide range of events such as

Career placement opportunities in areas such as Medicine, Engineering and Technology.

STEM pathways events in W5

Chemistry at Work events at QUB

Useful contacts

All Saints College – Science Department

Miss Deborah O’Rawe (HOD)

Email – dorawe785@c2kni.net

Career Information and Guidance

Local University Courses