Home Economics
Home Economics is divided into three main areas:
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Healthy Eating
- Home and Family Life
- Independent Living
Home Economics is studied by all pupils in Form 2 for five months. During this time they are introduced to each of the above areas as well as learning basic practical skills. Many pupils are pleasantly surprised at how good their food tastes, while many parents complain it doesn’t make it home.
Form three sees the development of the above areas with a lot more practical undertaken. A highlight for many pupils is the child development coursework when they get to design and produce their own book or toy for a young child.
At GCSE the CCEA course is followed. The structure of the course is an examination worth 50% and coursework worth 50%.
Over the two year course practical skills are developed in preparation for the practical examination which is part of the coursework. In the practical examination pupils enjoy presenting their dishes and encourage members of staff and other pupils to sample their work. The department is very popular at this time of year.
In Form 4 pupils are taken to Loughry College
In 6th Form the CCEA course is followed, this is delivered in four modules:
- Nutrition for Optimal Health
- Priority Health Issues
These three are studied in the Lower Sixth year with examinations in June.
The modules studied in Middle Sixth are:
- Consumer Issues
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Coursework – a research-based assignment
In June of middle sixth they will have two examinations. The coursework is completed over eight weeks, pupils select their own area for research, pupils find the coursework challenging, it is internally marked and externally moderated.
Practical in Sixth Form is sporadic due to the demands of the course. Loughry College
Pupils studying Home Economics enjoy assisting at the Open nights. The department is the first port of call for many parents and pupils who follow their noses, it is always a very busy couple of nights but the atmosphere in the whole school is fantastic and the pupils love being a part of it.