S1, S2 & S3 Design Technology Course
The main aim of the Design Technology course is to give young people an opportunity to develop broad-based technical skills, and in doing so encourage them to engage in problem solving.Practical work offers each pupil an opportunity to have a hands-on experience of a variety of processes and tools, through several projects based around metal, wood and plastic. This area will be assessed through the development of skills and an understanding of the resources.The Graphic Communication course provides each pupil with the opportunity to develop their understanding of both formal and freehand drawing through a broad course. This course includes illustration and presentation, technical drawing and computer aided design. In S3 BGE pupils can choose to follow courses in Engineering Science, Design & Manufacture, Graphic Communication and Practical Woodworking to best prepare our young people for the National and Higher courses in S4/S5.
N4/N5 Practical Woodworking
The National 4/5 Practical Woodworking course consists of the following three workshop-based units -Bench Skills 1, Wood Flat-Frame Construction, Bench Skills 2 -Wood Carcase Construction, Machining and Finishing -Wood Turning. The course is assessed by the completion of a final workshop based project using the skills developed when completing the units. There is also an external SQA exam, usually in May. The course will develop skills in marking-out, cutting, shaping and finishing materials, as well as adjusting and maintaining a range of hand tools. Apart from giving an insight into industry and standards, such studies help with the development of self-confidence, manual dexterity and control, perseverance and maturity.
N4/N5 Engineering Science
The Course provides a broad and challenging exploration of engineering. Because of its focus on developing transferable skills, it will be of value to learners, and particularly beneficial to learners considering a career in engineering, or one of its many branches.The N4 Course includes three mandatory Units: Engineering Contexts and Challenges, Electronics and Control and Mechanisms and Structures. A N4 pupil will be internally assessed against these unit standards as well as an Added Value Unit which will determine their overall award, there will be no external exam. A N5 pupil will be internally assessed on coursework, an internally completed assignment and also an external exam in May.
N4/N5 Graphic Communication
This Course is a broad-based qualification suitable for learners with an interest in graphic communication — both digital and paper-based. The qualification is largely learner-centred and includes practical and experiential learning opportunities. Because the world of graphic communication covers such a wide variety of styles and modes of communication, there is a broad scope for personalisation and choice within the Course for each learner.The N4/N5 Graphic Communication course introduces learners to the diverse and ever-increasing variety of presentation methods employed in the Graphic Design field. Pupils develop skills in 2D and 3D Graphics. A N4 pupil will be internally assessed on assessment tasks as well as an Added Value Unit which will determine their overall award, there will be no external exam. A N5 pupil will be internally assessed on tasks, an internally completed assignment and also an external exam in May.
N4/N5 Design & Manufacture
The Design and Manufacture Course introduces learners to the multi-faceted world of product design and manufacturing. Creativity is at the heart of this Course and its combination with technology makes it exciting and dynamic.
The Course provides learners with skills that allow them to learn live and work more effectively in our advancing technological society. It allows them to become not just effective contributors but informed and discerning consumers. The Course is broad, providing opportunities for learners to develop practical/design skills, as well as gaining knowledge and understanding of design, materials and manufacturing processes.
The Course is practical, exploratory and experiential in nature. It combines elements of creativity and designing for aesthetic or visual impact with a requirement to consider a product’s function and performance. It helps the learner appreciate the tensions that exist between factors such as aesthetics, function, economics and the environment.
This Course is of broad general benefit to all learners. It also provides a foundation for those considering further study, or a career, in design, manufacturing, engineering, science, marketing, and related disciplines. The Course provides a complementary practical experience for those studying subjects in the technologies and expressive arts. A N4 pupil will be internally assessed on assessment tasks as well as an Added Value Unit which will determine their overall award, there will be no external exam. A N5 pupil will be internally assessed on tasks, an internally completed assignment and also an external exam in May.
N4/5 Practical Metalworking
The Practical Metalworking course provides a broad introduction to practical metalworking. It is largely workshop-based, combining elements of theory and practical metalworking techniques.
Candidates develop practical skills in manual dexterity and control. They are introduced to safe working practices and become proactive in matters of health and safety. Students learn how to use a range of tools, equipment and materials safely and correctly, and develop skills in reading drawings and diagrams, measuring and marking out, cutting, shaping and finishing materials.
A N4 candidate will be internally assessed against the unit standards as well as an Added Value Unit which will determine their overall award, there will be no external exam. A N5 pupil will be internally assessed on internally completed practical tasks, an internally completed assignment and also an external exam in May.
Higher Design and Manufacture
The Higher Design and Manufacture Course allows learners to explore the multi- faceted world of product design and manufacturing. Creativity is at the heart of this Course and its combination with technology makes it exciting and dynamic. The Course combines scientific, mathematical and technological rigour with design and manufacture creativity and innovation. It is at this that the course demonstrates broad options, possibilities and flexibilities in supporting educational growth. In the Course, learners are encouraged to exercise imagination, creativity and logical thinking. The Course allows learners to broaden and deepen their skills base and to widen their horizons regarding a range of potential vocations and careers. The Higher course is assessed on the successful completion of course units, an internally completed assignment and also an external SQA exam in May.
Higher Graphic Communication
The Higher Graphic Communication Course offers a broad and creative experience in the subject of graphic communication and graphic design. This diverse and multi- faceted Course provides scope for personalisation and choice. The Course allows learners to broaden and deepen their skills base and to widen their horizons regarding a range of vocations and careers. Learners are encouraged to exercise imagination, creativity and logical thinking. They will develop an awareness of graphic communication as an international language. They will find that the skills they acquire by successfully completing this Course will be invaluable for learning, for life and for the world of work. The Course provides skills that are complementary to other curricular areas, such as expressive arts, sciences, and mathematics. It provides skills that are valuable for learners in the other areas of study in the technologies. The Higher course is assessed on the successful completion of course units, an internally completed assignment and also an external SQA exam in May.
Higher Engineering Science
Engineering is vital to everyday life; it shapes the world in which we live and its future. Engineers play key roles in meeting the needs of society in fields which include climate change, medicine, IT and transport. Our society needs more engineers, and more young people with an informed view of engineering. The Course provides a broad and challenging exploration of engineering. Because of its focus on developing transferable skills, it will be of value to many learners, and particularly beneficial to learners considering a career in engineering, or one of its many branches. The Higher Engineering Science Course develops a number of pervasive and integrative themes, including the systems approach, energy and sustainability. These are used to explore varied engineering systems through simulation, practical projects and investigative tasks in a range of contexts.
Courses in Engineering Science and in Physics (and other pure sciences) are designed to be complementary; a combination of this Course and a pure science Course will provide a very strong foundation for further study in engineering or the sciences.
The Higher course is assessed on the successful completion of course units, an internally completed assignment and also an external SQA exam in May.
