Lisnagarvey High School

Staff

Mrs L McGarry (Head of Department), Dr B McKinstry, Mr A Edgar, Miss A Gillespie (Technician)

Departmental Aim

To provide a worthwhile educational experience for all pupils through which they may:

• develop a curiosity about, an interest in and an enjoyment of science.
• develop abilities and skills that are relevant to the study and practice of science and useful in everyday life;
• acquire an understanding and knowledge of the concepts, principles and applications of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and other related sciences;
• become well-informed and confident citizens in a technological world;
• appreciate that the concepts, principles and models of science are of a developing nature;
• understand the need for and develop a responsible attitude towards safety.

An Overview of Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Years 8, 9 and 10 follow an integrated approach based on the four attainment targets for the Key Stage 3 Programme, which are:

1.Experimental and Investigative Science
2.Living Organisms and Life Processes
3.Materials and Their Uses
4. Physical Processes

These are taught as a combined general science course in years 8, 9 and 10. Each pupil studies 4 periods of science per week.
Junior Science is taught through a wide range of learning strategies, such as ICT, investigative experimental work, discussions in small groups and as a whole class, encouraging pupils to develop key skills and critical analysis of their own work.

 

An Overview of Key Stage 4 Curriculum

GCSE Single Award Science
Students work towards a general science course which covers all aspects of a good science education. It is a single award qualification that provides students with a broad and balanced knowledge of all three sciences including knowledge of procedures and science practice.

GCSE Science is made up of 6 modules (each worth 12.5%) which are assessed by a short 30 minute objective test in November, March and June:

Year 11
Biology 1a - Human Biology
Chemistry 1a - Products from Rocks
Physics 1a - Energy and Electricity
 

Year 12
Biology 1b - Evolution and Environment
Chemistry 1b - Oils, Earth and Atmosphere
Physics 1b - Radiation and the Universe

There is also a Centre Assessed Unit (CAU) which comprises 25% of the total mark.

GCSE Science + GCSE Additional Science (Double Award)
Students can also choose to work towards two GCSE science qualifications by choosing to study GCSE Additional Science at the same time as the above GCSE Science course.

GCSE Additional Science comprises three 45 minute written papers (each worth 25%), one paper for each of Biology 2, Chemistry 2 and Physics 2, available in January and June.
Again there is also a Centre Assessed Unit which comprises 25 % of the total mark.

Departmental Facilities and Resources

Facilities include 3 science labs, the two main ones both having interactive whiteboards. There is also a cluster of 7 computers available for use in Mrs McGarry’s room.