Science

Our Science Department believe Science should be a fun and enjoyable experience for pupils which is why we have developed what we hope is a colourful, exciting and interesting programme for our pupils.  Science in De La Salle presents pupils with opportunites to develop their thinking skills and personal capabilities through learning experiences like:


  • Experiments and investigations
  • Data Logging
  • Poster making, producing brochures, menus and advertisments
  • Producing and presenting powerpoint presentation
  • Video clips/ICT
  • Debates/discussions
  • Video conferencing
  • Designing
  • Role play
  • Interactive web activities and much much more.

Science lessons are brought to life through activities like:

  • ELA Forensic Science Workshop
  • QUB Pharmacy Department Workshop
  • QUB Spectroscopy in a Suitcase (Post 16)
  • Royal Hospital - Medical Physics (Post16)
  • STEM Soap Making Workshop
  • Visit to Belfast Zoo
  • Dundonald Hospital Laboratories (Post 16)
  • Ms Marian Milligan at the Dental Clinic
  • Shared Education Fieldwork at Delamont Country Park

Our Team

We have 3 experienced teachers and a dedicated  Science Technician in our department.

Ms Jenny Johnston (HOD)

Mrs Catherine Sira

Mrs Irene Stokes

Mr M Foy (Technician)


The teachers form a very effective team, showing consistency in terms of approaches to teaching and learning and classroom management.  We have a great deal of experience in raising levels of achievement.


With regular departmental meetings and through action plans we're always trying to improve how we do things, how we teach and how we can make sure that all our pupils receive and enjoy the best possible education.  We're also not afraid to ask our students what THEY think - be it through getting their opinions on after school clubs, trips or by listening to student council voice.

Departments Aims & Objectives

What facilities and resources are available to teach Science?

What facilities and resources are available to teach Science?

 We expect all pupils, irrespective of background to achieve their full potential.  We aim to:


  • provide a caring and safe environment in which pupils can develop key skills.
  • prepare pupils for adult life in a society that is increasingly dependent on the application of Science & Technology.
  • Provide a broad and balanced curriculum that makes a significant contribution to  pupils personals, social, health and citizenship education.


Furthermore, the skills that pupils develop as they study Science will be some of the most valuable and transferable that they will gain during school.  Problem solving & planning, managing information, working with others, communication and presentation skills, Maths and ICT help prepare students for any career they may choose. 

What facilities and resources are available to teach Science?

What facilities and resources are available to teach Science?

What facilities and resources are available to teach Science?

Our department comprises of three science laboratories.  All laboratories are equipped with an interactive whiteboard and Apple TV.  Each laboratory is fully equipped and resources to carry out all experiments appropriate to the Northern Ireland curriculum.  Experiments are sometimes carried out electronically using temperature, pH, carbon dioxide, light sensors and light gates.


Each teacher has a PC and an iPad which are used to produce, gather and store an abundance of interactive and high quality resources including networked software, presentations, websites and e-books.  We periodically bring our pupils to our ICT suite to produce graphs, research, gather and present information and test their knowledge and understanding via interactive websites,

How often is Science taught?

What facilities and resources are available to teach Science?

How often is Science taught?

At Key Stage 3  (Yrs 8-10) : pupils receive approx. 4 x 30 min periods of Science per week.


At Key Stage 4 (Yrs 11-12) : Single award and GCSE students receive 5 x 30 min periods a week and double award GCSE pupils receive 10 x 30 min periods per week.


BTEC (Yrs 13-14) : 10 x 30 min periods per week.

Applied Science BTEC Level 3

Applied Science BTEC Level 3

How often is Science taught?

The course aims to teach scientific principals and how to work in a laboratory situation.  This  is a practical based course with the underpinning scientific theory being taught at an academic level.  The full course comprises of 6 units - pupils will study 3 units in Year 13 and the final 3 units in Year 14.  Some of our past students have continued to follow Science courses at university and are currently studying Radiography, Biomedical Sciences and Nursing.

Literacy and Numeracy

Applied Science BTEC Level 3

A supportive environment

Whilst Science is our priority we realise the importance of numeracy and literacy across the curriculum.  There is a whole school literacy and numeracy policy which we have adapted for our department.  In particular out Year 8 pupils spend 3-4 weeks working through a numeracy booklet to reinforce basic numeracy in Science.  All pupils should have access to dictionaries and spelling lists in each laboratory.  Labelled diagrams of common apparatus are displayed in all laboratories.  Each pupil at key stage 3 has a literacy correction code inside their notebooks and a writing frame to guide them when writing up practical work.  Pupils ability to revise is developed through periodic learning homeworks.  We believe it is important that children are told the focus of each lesson and so we share learning intensions with our pupils at the start, during and end of each class.

A supportive environment

Applied Science BTEC Level 3

A supportive environment

We believe our department is a supportive and friendly place where pupils of all abilities will have the opportunity to learn and enjoy Science in a positive and rewarding environment.