Physics at Holy Rood RC High School
Science engages learners of all ages, interests and abilities. The science curriculum allows pupils to develop a wide range of transferable skills and those specific to pursuing a career in science.
Alongside the science content taught, pupils will also develop numeracy, literacy and problem solving skills. These valuable skills allow the pupils to succeed across the capacities in the Curriculum for Excellence.
S1 pupils receive 3 science lessons each week covering a range of topics throughout the year. All assessment is formative and prepares the pupils for S2.
S2 pupils will engage in subject specialist teaching across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This will help inform the learners before they make their course choices. Some summative testing is carried out to prepare pupils for the work in S3.
S3-S4 pupils will have opted to choose their preferred science subject(s). They will study each if their subjects for 3 periods per week and begin to prepare for the National awards at the end of S4.
S5-S6 pupils have the option to select further National Qualification subjects in Science. This includes National courses up to Advanced Higher, as well as vocational “”
Staff
Mr Andrew Gillies – Curriculum Leader
Mr Adrian Sudworth
Mrs Alison Farooq-Smith
Ms Catherine Williams
Subjects & Levels Offered
National 3
Physics
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
National 3 physics course provides basic knowledge of concepts in physics and be able to apply their understanding to practical situations. Pupils will gain an insight into the underlying nature of our world and its place in the universe. From the sources of the energy we use, to the exploration of space, it covers a range of applications of the relationships that have been discovered through experimentation and calculation.
National 4
Physics
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
National 4 physics allows pupils to develop important skills to become creative, inventive and enterprising, in a world where the skills and knowlede developed by physics are needed across all sectors of society. Pupils will be able to solve problems and establish relationships in physics by acquiring a broad knowledge base, practical skills and basic mathematical skills. Pupils will also learn about scientific issues and relevant applications of physics in society and the environment.
National 5
Physics
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
National 5 physics gives pupils an insight into the underlying nature of our world and it’s place in the universe. From the sources of energy we use, to the exploration of space, it covers a range of applications of the relationships that have been discovered through experiement and calculation, including those used in modern technology.
Higher Physics
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
Higher physics course develops pupils ability to describe and interpret physical phenomena using mathematical methods of investigation, gain an indepth knowledge of concepts in physics and promotes awareness that physics involves interaction between theory and practice. The course main content areas include; our dynamic universe, particles and waves, and electricity.
Advanced Higher Physics
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
Advanced Higher study should foster an interest in current developments in, and applications of, physics. Pupils will develop a critical understanding of the role of physics in scientific issues and relevant applications of physics, develop and apply scientific inquiry and skills to carry out complex practical scientific activities, including the use of risk assessments, technology, equipment and materials.
National 5 Skills for Work
Laboratory Science
National 5 Skills for work: Laboratory Science is an introductory qualification. The course provides a broad experiential introduction to laboratory science. Students will explore a variety of industries and services, career opportunities in science laboratories locally, nationally and globally.
National 5 Skills for Work
Health Sector
National 5 Skills for Work: Health Sector is designed as an introduction to the health sector. The emphasis of this course is to prepare candidates for working in the health sector and develop employability skills valued by employers.
Career Opportunities
Pupils with qualifications in Science can find a route in a wide variety of career pathways. Some pupils will move directly to employment or apprenticeships, others will use their qualifications to gain entry to further education courses in college or university.