Science
Staff
S Bradshaw
J. Cairns (Head of Biology, Science Co-ordinator)
R. Cousins (Head of Physics)
M. Gillespie
H. Graham
L. Wright (Head of Chemistry)
R. Patterson
J. Robinson (Technician)
The science department of Omagh Academy aims to allow students to gain knowledge of the world around them, by fostering an interest in science and appreciating its relevance in today's society.
All pupils in the school study science in KS3 and KS4 and a significant number opt to study science post-16.
Key Stage 3
Year 8
x6 periods per week
Science investigations
Materials
Forces
Cells
Diet and nutrition
Acids and Alkalis
Magnetism and Electricity
Reproduction
Year 9
x5 periods per week
Staying Alive
Matter
Sight and Sound
Elements
Mixtures and Compounds
Energy
Year 10
3x2 periods per week
Science is taught as three separate disciplines by a subject specialist teacher.
During Year 10, pupils prepare to enter key stage 4 and determine whether to study Triple Award or Double Award science in Year 11.
Key Stage 4
All pupils in Year 11 and Year 12 study GCSE Science.
They can choose to take Double Award Science (2 grades at GCSE) or Triple Award Science (3 grades at GCSE)
CCEA Double Award - from first teaching September 2017
Content
Assessment
Weightings (%)
Completed
Biology Unit B1: Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity
External written examination
1 hour
11
Year 11
Chemistry Unit C1: Structures, Trends, Chemical Reactions, Quantitative Chemistry and Analysis
External written examination
1 hour
11
Year 11
Physics Unit P1: Motion, Force, Moments, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory, Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission and Fusion.
External written examination
1 hour
11
Year 11
Biology Unit B2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health
External written examination
1 hour 15 mins
14
Year 12
Chemistry Unit C2: Further Chemical Reactions, Rates and Equilibrium, Calculations and Organic Chemistry
External written examination
1 hour 15 mins
14
Year 12
Physics Unit P2: Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetism and Space Physics
External written examination
1 hour 15 mins
14
Year 12
Unit 7 Practical skills
3 x 1 hour practical activities are carried out in school (externally assessed)
External written examination
1 hour 30 mins
25
Year 12
CCEA Triple Award Biology
Unit 1
Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity
External written examination
1 hour 15 minutes
Worth 35%
Completed in Year 11
Unit 2
Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health
External written examination
1 hour 30 minutes
Worth 40%
Completed in Year 12
Unit 3
Practical Skills
2 X 1 hour practical activities are carried out in school (externally assessed)
Worth 7.5%
External written examination
1 hour
Worth 17.5%
Completed in Year 12
CCEA Triple Award Chemistry
Unit 1
Structures, Trends, Chemical Reactions, Quantitative Chemistry and Analysis.
External written examination
1 hour 15 minutes
Worth 35%
Completed in Year 11
Unit 2
Further Chemical Reactions, Rates and Equilibrium, Calculations and Organic Chemistry
External written examination
1 hour 30 minutes
Worth 40%
Completed in Year 12
Unit 3
Practical Skills
2 X 1 hour practical activities are carried out in school (externally assessed)
Worth 7.5%
External written examination
1 hour
Worth 17.5%
Completed in Year 12
CCEA Triple Award Physics
Unit 1
Motion, Force, Moments, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory, Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission and Fusion.
External written examination
1 hour 15 minutes
Worth 35%
Completed in Year 11
Unit 2
Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetism and Space Physics.
External written examination
1 hour 30 minutes
Worth 40%
Completed in Year 12
Unit 3
Practical Skills
2 X 1 hour practical activities are carried out in school (externally assessed)
Worth 7.5%
External written examination
1 hour
Worth 17.5%
Completed in Year 12
A Level
In year 13 students can select to study up to 3 science subjects as detailed below:
Biology
AS 1 Molecules and Cells
External written examination
1 hour 30 minutes
Worth 15%
AS 2 Organisms and Biodiversity
External written examination
1 hour 30 minutes
Worth 15%
AS 3 Practical Skills in Biology
External written examination
1 hour
Worth 7%
Internal practical assessment
Worth 3%
A2 1 Physiology, Co-ordination and Control, and Ecosystems
External written examination
2 hour 15 minutes
Worth 24%
A2 2 Biochemistry, Genetics and evolutionary Trends
External written examination
2 hour 15 minutes
Worth 24%
A2 3 Practical Skills in Biology
External written examination
1 hour 15 minutes
Worth 10%
Internal practical assessment
Worth 2%
Physics
AS 1 Forces, Energy and Electricity
External written examination
1 hour 45 minutes
Worth 16%
AS 2 Waves, Photons and Astronomy
External written examination
1 hour 45 minutes
Worth 16%
AS 3 Practical Techniques and Data Analysis
2 X 1 hour Components
Worth 8%
A2 1 Deformation of solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics
External written examination
2 hours
Worth 24%
A2 2 Fields, Capacitors and Particle Physics
External written examination
2 hours
Worth 24%
A2 3 Practical Techniques and Data Analysis
2 X 1 hour Components
Worth 12%
Chemistry
Basic concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
External written examination
1 hour 30 minutes
Worth 16%
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry and Introduction to Organic Chemistry
External written examination
1 hour 30 minutes
Worth 16%
Basic Practical Chemistry
Practical Exam
1 hour 15 minutes
Theory Paper (based on practical techniques)
1 hour 15 minutes
Worth 8%
Further Physical and Organic Chemistry
External written examination
2 hours
Worth 24%
Analytical, Transition Metals, Electrochemistry and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry
External written examination
2 hours
Worth 24%
Further Practical Chemistry
Practical Exam
1 hour 15 minutes
Theory Paper (based on practical techniques)
1 hour 15 minutes
Worth 12%
Learning outside the classroom
Field trips and educational visits are an important part of developing scientific knowledge and skills. Pupils have taken part in several field trips and visits to places of scientific interest. The first science trip to London took place in June 2017 and other trips are planned throughout the year.
Extra-Curricular
Science Club
The Year 8 Science Club meets once a week at lunchtime and has proven to be a successful and popular club. Club members enjoy activities which they would not normally be carried out in class time, so it gives a chance to have a go at some fun and different activities.
Science Competitions
Pupils across all key stages have opportunities to participate in local and national science competitions such as the Salters Festival of Chemistry and The Biology Challenge.
