Home Economics

The Home Economics Department plays an integral part of the life of St. Louis Grammar School. The department offers courses across the key stages. The department has three rooms, all of which have interactive whiteboards and a range of Home Economics equipment.

Aims of the Home Economics Department in St. Louis Grammar School

In St. Louis Grammar School, Home Economics is designed to develop in our pupils the knowledge, understanding skills and competences which will improve their quality of life. It is made available to all pupils at KS3 and as an option at KS4 and A Level.

The aims of the Home Economics department are to:

·        help pupils to understand and appreciate the role of the home and family as they relate to the development on the individual and society.

·        develop pupil’s understanding of the physical, emotional, intellectual and aesthetic needs of themselves and others which change throughout the life cycle.

·        increase pupils awareness of how needs can be met, making best use of available resources.

·        develop the critical thinking and decision-making capacity of pupils on matters relating to the home and family.

·        to enable pupils to achieve their maximum potential through the public examinations - G.C.S.E. and ‘A’ Level.

·        to involve and inform pupils and parents with regard to a pupils educational progress and arising concerns.

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

The taught programme for Home Economics at KS3 addresses the statutory requirements of healthy eating, Home and Family and Independent Living. Students at KS3 have 15% of the curriculum time.

USEFUL WEB ADDRESSES FOR HOME ECONOMICS

Key Stage 4

At key Stage 4 (GCSE) students have the opportunity to study Home Economics.

Home Economics is offered as follows;

CCEA Food and Nutrition – 5 x 50 minute periods in 10 day timetable.

Key Stage 5

AS Nutrition and Food Science builds on, the knowledge, understanding and skills developed within G.C.S.E. Food and Nutrition and related subjects.

The AS (Advanced Subsidiary) is the first part of the full ‘A’ Level course. It counts for 40% of the ‘A’ Level in terms of teaching time and content.

AS Nutrition and Food Science adopts a modular approach, candidates are required to study two learning units  and a further two units for the full ‘A’ Level G.C.E. (CCEA) course.

AS (CCEA) Units are:

AS 1 – Principle of Nutrition

AS2 – Diet, Lifestyle and Health

At A2 Nutrition and Food Science students complete a further two units.

A2 1 Option B, Food Safety and Quality

A2 2 Research Project.

AS Nutrition and Food Science is worth 40% of the Total ‘A’ Level and A2 Nutrition and Food Science is worth 60% of the total ‘A’ Level.

The teachers in the department are:-

Mrs M Grant (HOD) – Room 32 BA (Hons) Consumer Studies, PGCE in Home Economics, Certificate of R.E., University of Ulster, Jordanstown.

Mrs P Blaney – Room 33 B.Ed. in Education with Home Economics, University of Ulster, Jordanstown.

Mrs C Marron – Room 28 BA (Hons) Consumer Studies with (DIS) Diploma in Industrial Studies. University of Ulster Jordanstown, PGCE Home Economics, University of Ulster Coleraine.

Mrs M Dillon – BSC Geography, MSC Rural Development, PGCE Geography, Queens University.

                   PGCE Home Economics University of Ulster.

GCE Health and Social Care

Curriculum

AS and ‘A2’ Level

St. Louis Grammar School currently offer GCE Health and Social Care Single and Double Award:

Aims of  Health and Social Care in St. Louis Grammar School

The CCEA Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced GCE’s in Health and Social Care offer students the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding that provide a broad educational basis that will advantage them when entering into employment or higher education within the health and social care sector.  The specifications examine the structures which exist within Northern Ireland in the health and social car sectors and explore issues which have regional, national, European and global dimensions.

Strong vocational links to the health and social care sectors locally and throughout Northern Ireland are essential throughout the programme of study.  It is important, however, that teachers and students understand and apply rigorously, current legislation.

The GCE Health and Social Care specifications provide:

·       A combination of AS and A2 units;

·       An applied vocational dimension;

·       Opportunities to enable progression for study at further and higher education, training and employment;

·       Opportunities to enable students to apply their knowledge in realistic Health and Social Care contexts;

·       Opportunities for the development of the transferrable skills necessary in a changing and dynamic working environment;

AS and Advanced GCE courses based on this specification should stimulate and sustain an interest and enjoyment of Health and Social Care. They enable:

·       Develop and sustain an interest in health, early years care and education, social care and issues affecting the care sector;

·       Acquire through practical and theoretical contexts, knowledge and understanding of health, early years care and educational issues affecting the health and social care sector and of the inherent complexities and interrelationships;

·       Actively participate in practical activities which allow them to competently apply their knowledge, understanding and skills when exploring issues associated with the subject;

·       Develop skills that will enable them to make an effective contribution to the care sector including skills of research, evaluation and problem solving in a work related context;

·       Use information and communications technology (ICT) to enhance their Health and Social Care capability;

·       Apply knowledge, understanding and skills;

·       Prepare for further study and training.

The teachers in the department are:-

Mrs Martha Grant (HOD)

Mrs Claire Marron

Mrs M Dillon

Mrs S McGinn

Mrs M McAllister

Mr C Gillan

Specification at a Glance

Single Award

Double Award