Design & Technology
Practical Woodworking - National 5
Practical woodworking is a fully practical course that aims to drive pupils’ ability in machine and tool use, while working with wood. This is an ideal course for young people who would like to pursue a career in carpentry and/or joinery when they leave school. It is also a great addition as a subject to show future employers that learners can work practically with their hands, as well as digital, theoretical etc.
Learners will produce practical wooden projects and will learn how to properly use a range of tools, equipment and machines whilst completing their work. Health & safety will be paramount during this course, as this will fall in line with regulations used in work places and building/work sites.
Practical Metalworking - National 5
Our National course is to equip young people with the practical skills needed to move on to apprenticeships and careers in fabrication, black-smithery, welding and/or other related fields of the manufacturing industry which involve working with metal.
Learners will utilise a range of specialist tools and machines to complete their work and will have the opportunity to carry out advanced metalworking processes such as MIG welding, lathe turning, forging and sheet metal fabrication. Prior experience of these skills is highly valued for young people looking to enter a career in this industry.
Graphic Communication - National 5 and Higher
Our National courses aim to develop learners’ knowledge of graphic design and CAD engineering by providing them with opportunities to be creative while using a range of different approaches to produce their work.
Learners will build their skills in various contexts such as design, sketching, 3D CAD modelling and ICT use. As well as practically building these skills, our young people will learn about how this relates to CAD/CAM engineering and manufacturing in industry, and what it takes to be an effective graphic designer. This course is ideal for young people who want to consider architecture, engineering and graphic design in the future as their careers. CAD skills are also considered to be one of the most essential future skills in many career fields in the future.
Creative Thinking - Level 5 and 6
The aim of the course is to provide opportunities for pupils to develop their creative skills, by responding to tasks that are set to them. The course allows students a huge amount of freedom and expression in their work by removing barriers and restrictions that are placed on coursework in many other subjects. This course runs as either a level 5 (National 5) or level 6 (Higher) with levels being determined by the outcome of pupil work. There is no exam for this qualification, as it is entirely coursework based and continuously-assessed.
Creative Thinking is a fairly new qualification that has been created by the Daydream Believers group and Edinburgh Napier University. It was recently named as one of the top 100 global qualifications by young people by educational group hundrED. Several top companies around the world such as Nike, Adidas, LEGO and Rockstar Games are all involved in the qualification.
Skills for Work Engineering Skills - Level 5
This skills for work course is an excellent entry into the world of engineering for young people, who will have the chance to experience the basics of several different engineering fields. Learners will work practically using a range of tools and machines to produce mainly metal models. They will also learn the basics of electrical engineering by working with circuitry and electronics boards. This course is focused on picking up the skills and the mindset required to work as an engineer. It is internally assessed across 4 units and does not have a theory exam.
Built Environment - Level 5
This course aims to equip young people with skills and knowledge focusing on factors which can influence and impact the design and construction of structures such as buildings and civil engineering works. Pupils will learn to use a variety of skills such as sketching and various CAD softwares to complete their work and will work alongside industry professionals in the process, to gain a valuable insight into the real industry outside of school.
This course provides an excellent route into architecture, construction and engineering for future career opportunities and links in with Design, Engineer, Construct! This course does not have an exam and is entirely internally assessed.
Design, Engineer, Construct! (DEC) - Level 2 (Equivalent to Higher)
This course follows on from the previous Built Environment at level 5 and adds further complexity to the skills and knowledge that young people are equipped with in the construction industry. Again, this is an excellent link course into architecture, construction and engineering.
