Occupational Studies – Level 2 | St Ciaran's College

- Departments - Occupational Studies - Level 2

OS Bench Joinery/ Carpentry and Joinery

Occupational Studies in bench joinery and carpentry is a vocational subject. If you prefer a hands-on approach: this industry-based subject will provide you with a taste of working life, outside school.

Content/Assessment

Year 11 Bench Joinery

One practical task (Internally assessed)
One portfolio (Internally assessed)

Year 12 Carpentry and Joinery

One practical task (Internally assessed)
One portfolio (Internally assessed)

Skills Developed

Learners will develop the following skills: understand the implications of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA) 1974; select appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for example, safety boots or goggles; demonstrate safe use of basic hand and electrical tools; and produce high quality wooden products.

Career Pathways

Builders' Merchant, Building Control Officer, Building Services Engineer, Carpenter/Joiner, Ceiling Fixer, Civil Engineer, Technician, Kitchen Fitter, Painter and Decorator, Plasterer, Plumber, Quantity Surveyor, Roofer, Scaffolder, Window Fitter, Surveyor Traffic Engineer.

OS Horticulture: Caring for Plants and Flowers / Growing Plants in a Sustainable Way

These units allow learners to develop a basic understanding of plants and how to grow and care for them in a sustainable way, using organic methods wherever possible and use scientific principles and skills that are necessary for the growth and care of a range of indoor and outdoor plants.

Content/Assessment

The units include:

consideration of health and safety issues in horticulture and ﬂoristry
consideration of career opportunities in horticulture and ﬂoristry
identiﬁcation of plant diseases and pests;
production of a ﬂoral item suitable for a special occasion;
production of an information leaﬂet for the after-sales care of plants and ﬂowers;
consideration of the environmental issues in horticulture and ﬂoristry
organic and sustainable methods for growing;
various methods that are used to grow plants from seeds, bulbs, corms and tubers;
taking cuttings and establishing plants and care of plants;
a review and evaluation of performance.

Learners will complete four assessment tasks in each unit. Practical activities are the focus of each unit.

Skills Developed

Learners will develop their organisational and practical skills; they will be encouraged to develop their entrepreneurial skills through activities. They will develop their knowledge of scientiﬁc principles and skills that are necessary for the growth and care of plants in horticultural and ﬂoristry industries.

Career Pathways

These units are suitable for those who have an interest in pursuing a career in horticulture or ﬂoristry.

OS Computer Aided Design / Digital Imaging

Computer Aided Design introduces learners to basic skills in the use of an industry standard Computer Aided Design (CAD) drafting package.

Digital Imaging will develop skills in creating digital images using a variety of applications.

Content/Assessment

In Year 11, students will carry out practical CAD activities and will be assessed on the quality of their demonstrated skills and ﬁnal drawing, including the accuracy of lines joining at corners and the components drawn.

In Year 12, students will edit photographs and produce digital designs for print, screen, and the internet. These are industry standard skills in photography and digital design.

Skills Developed

Consideration of health and safety issues in CAD and Digital Imaging
Consideration of career opportunities in CAD and digital Imaging
Routine drafting techniques in CAD
Creating component drawings in CAD
Consideration of environmental issues in CAD and Digital Imaging
Explore Photographic Techniques
Present a Photography Project

Career Pathways

Design technician, Architectural technician, Graphic designer, Product designer, Engineering or industrial designer, Building technician, Architecture, Mechanical drafting, Civil construction, Fashion Design, Interior and Exterior Design, Game Design, Advertising art director, Film/video editor, Magazine features editor, Medical illustrator, Photographer, Press photographer and Television camera operator.

OS Contemporary Cuisine / Patisserie and Baking

The two units provide learners with some of the basic cooking and baking principles required by cooks and chefs in the catering industry when preparing and cooking a range of dishes.

Content/Assessment

Food hygiene and personal hygiene standards for food handlers.
Consideration of career opportunities in the catering industry.
Consideration of safe use of equipment and other health and safety issues in the catering industry
Preparation, cooking and finishing of four starters, four mains, and four deserts
Healthy eating alternatives
Preparing, cooking and finishing bread, scones, cakes, biscuits & pastry products to reflect industry standards
Energy conservation and environmental issues in the catering industry
A review and evaluation of performance

There will be formal observational assessment of two products from each of Sections 2, 3 and 4. Each section will have structured written questions to check the learner’s understanding of the content.

Skills Developed

Learners will apply legislative requirements when handling food and learn how to work safely and hygienically in the kitchen. They will learn how to select and use appropriate equipment correctly and will develop creative skills in the finishing and preparation of products for service.

Career Pathways

These units offer an opportunity to understand the scope of the catering industry, including career opportunities.

OS Physical Care of Babies / The Play Environment

The two units are suitable to learners who are interested in working with children in a childcare environment. It focuses on the importance of play, children’s development, and an understanding of the physical care needs of babies.

Content/Assessment

Both units are portfolio based, one portfolio is completed each year.

Unit 1: Childcare: The Play Environment
Unit 13: The Physical Care of

Skills Developed

These units give learners the opportunity to identify the basic care needs of babies and develop their knowledge and practical skills to meet these needs. They gain an insight into the role of and skills required of children’s care workers in a range of settings. The course also prepares them for progression to further study of child development or other related qualiﬁcations.

Career Pathways

This course offers an opportunity to understand the range of the childcare settings, including career opportunities. It prepares students for further study in child health or education, or the world of work.