Teaching Staff
- Mr G. Millar - Head of Department
Teaching Time
GCSE
4 periods a week
Background
For many years it has been accepted that our
educational system must equip young people not
only with the knowledge to pass examinations but
with the skills necessary to cope with everyday
life after school. In that context one of the
most important life skills is the ability to
cope with road, and driving conditions as they
exist in Northern Ireland today.
The loss of young lives is both tragic and
largely avoidable. The importance of road safety
teaching has been clearly recognised by the
listing of the subject within the Education
Reform Order (NI) 1989.
Each year the number of road deaths continues to
rise. This subject gives pupils the opportunity
of a greater insight in the reality of being a
road user both now and in the future.
Content includes:
3 structured elements:
- theory paper (60% of overall mark) - Just
like any other full GCSE, a choice of Higher and
Lower Tier papers can be taken. The Foundation
Tier paper lasting 1.5 hours will carry a range
of grades from C-G inclusive. The Higher Tier
paper lasting 2 hours will carry grades from
A*-D (E) with E being awarded to those narrowly
failing to achieve grade D.
- investigative study carried out during the 2
year course (marks allocation of 20%) - This
will involve a detailed research study of
traffic problems at a location near the school.
Over the past number of years the most popular
type of project examines how speeding is a
problem in Newry.
- practical riding carried out on a moped
within the school grounds, not on public roads
(20% of the overall mark)
Topics covered:
- The Highway Code - understanding the basic
rules and regulations for all road users
- Environmental Factors and the Road User -
understanding how and why different weather
conditions effect the road user
- Human Factors which effect the Road User -
understanding how health problems and
disabilities effect a driver or road users
performance
- Alcohol Abuse - understanding how alcohol
effects a person with special reference to the
road user
- Legal Requirements for being a Driver -
understanding about driving licences, MOT,
insurance and other documentation needed to be a
legal driver on the road
- Financial Costs of being a Driver -
understanding what costs are involved in being a
driver including the buying and selling of
vehicles
- Post Accident Procedure - understanding what
to do if involved in an accident or helping at
the scene of one
- Motor Vehicle Technology - a basic
understanding of what happens under the bonnet
when the engine is started and the vehicle is in
use
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