The Department of Technical Education aims to be a place where all individuals should Achieve their Potential: We aim to deliver a balanced, planned curriculum covering the broadest range of technologies possible, ensuring that all learners have the support necessary to fulfil their potential.

Encouraging Happy Learners.

We aim to meet the needs of individuals and encourage all pupils to achieve the best possible results, ensuring all pupils experience a sense of achievement. We also aim to encourage pupils to participate in and enjoy a range of curricular and extra-curricular activities which will help prepare them for life in a modern, technological society, while promoting positive behaviour and individual responsibility. Providing direction and advice on future destinations in industry, University or Further Education courses or just the ‘University of Life’.

Safe Environment

We aim to provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment for pupils at all levels – encouraging safety awareness and co-operative attitudes, whilst promoting self-esteem and respect for others along with the development of practical skills. We also ensure the best use of all resources; including working areas; materials; tools; equipment and staff, in ways which will benefit all pupils, collectively and individually.

What skills will your child develop?

• skills in 2D and 3D graphic communication techniques, including the use of equipment, materials and software, in straightforward and familiar contexts
• knowledge and understanding of graphic communication standards, protocols and conventions
• develop an understanding of the impact of graphic communication technologies on our environment and society
• an awareness of graphic communication as an international language
• the ability to read, interpret and create graphic communication
• design skills and creativity to develop solutions to simple graphics tasks
• planning, organising, critical thinking, evaluating and decision-making
• basic knowledge of computer-aided graphics techniques and practice
• knowledge of colour, illustration and presentation techniques in straightforward and familiar contexts

What will your child experience during the Course?

• active and independent learning through ownership of practical tasks, self and peer evaluations, reflecting on learning, setting targets, evaluating progress, making independent decisions
• a blend of classroom approaches including practical, exploratory and experiential learning; using ICT
• collaborative learning: learners can work independently and with others
• space for personalisation and choice is embedded throughout the course
• embedding literacy and numeracy skills: researching and presenting information; evaluating; communicating.

Assessment

• To gain National 4, learners must pass all Units and Added Value Unit (Assignment).
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school.
• National 4 is graded Pass or as No Award.

What skills will your child develop?

• broader and deeper skills in 2D and 3D graphic communication techniques, including the use of equipment, materials and software in familiar and in unfamiliar contexts
• knowledge and understanding of graphic communication standards, protocols and conventions in unfamiliar contexts
• an understanding of the impact of graphic communication technologies on our environment and society
• an awareness of graphic communication as an international language
• the ability to read, interpret and create graphic communication
• to develop solutions to graphics tasks with some complex features
• planning, organising, critical thinking, evaluating and decision-making
• basic knowledge of computer-aided graphics techniques and practice
• knowledge of colour, illustration and presentation techniques
• describe, respond to and analyse the work of others

What will your child experience during the Course?

• active and independent learning through ownership of practical tasks, self and peer evaluations, setting agreed learning intentions and success criteria and using feedback
• a blend of classroom approaches including practical, exploratory and experiential learning; using ICT
• collaborative learning: learners can work independently and with others on group enterprise tasks
• space for personalisation and choice is embedded throughout the course
• embedding literacy and numeracy skills: researching and presenting information; evaluating; communicating; discussion.

Assessment

• To gain a National 5 award, learners must pass the Course Assignment and Question Paper
• National 5 is graded from A to D or as No Award.

Skills – Learners will be able to:

• develop skills in graphic communication techniques, including the use of equipment, graphics materials and software
• demonstrate creativity in the production of graphic communications to produce visual impact in meeting a specified purpose
• evaluate the effectiveness of graphics in communicating and meeting their purpose
• develop an understanding of graphic communication standards protocols and conventions, here these apply
• develop an understanding of the impact of graphic communication technologies on our environment and society

Opportunities for Learners – Learners will be able to:

• enjoy practical and experiential learning opportunities
• initiate, develop and communicate often complex ideas graphically and with clarity
• interpret often complex graphic communications initiated by others
• select and use appropriate graphic communication equipment with skill and confidence
• employ software and materials effectively in tasks
• apply knowledge and understanding of graphic communication standards and protocols, where these apply

Assessment

• To gain a Higher award, learners must pass the Course Assessment and Question Paper
• Higher Graphic Communication is graded from A to D or as No Award.

What skills will your child develop?

• a range of metalworking hand tool skills
• the ability to use a range of metalworking tools, equipment and materials, with guidance
• reading and interpreting simple drawings and diagrams in familiar contexts
• skills in measuring and marking out metal sections and sheet materials
• straightforward cutting and forming skills
• creativity with straightforward and familiar metalworking tasks
• a problem-solving approach to metalworking tasks, with support
• knowledge and understanding of safe working practices in a workshop
• knowledge of basic properties and uses of common metals and metalworking materials
• knowledge of sustainability issues in a practical metalworking context

What will your child experience during the Course?

• Active and independent learning through self and peer evaluations, group feedback, reflecting on learning, making independent decisions
• A blend of classroom approaches including practical and experiential learning in real-life contexts; whole class learning; team working; visits
• embedding literacy and numeracy skills: researching and presenting information; evaluating; communicating; discussion.

Assessment

• To gain a National 4 award, learners must pass all Units including the Added Value Unit (Practical Activity).
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school.
• National 4 is graded Pass or as No Award.

What skills will your child develop?

• a range of metalworking hand tool skills on tasks with some complex features
• the ability to use a range of metalworking tools, equipment and materials
• reading and interpreting drawings and diagrams in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• skills in measuring and marking out metal sections and sheet materials
• cutting and forming skills
• creativity with familiar metalworking tasks with some complex features
• a problem-solving approach to metalworking tasks
• knowledge and understanding of safe working practices in a workshop
• knowledge of the properties and uses of a range of common metals and metalworking materials
• knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues in a practical metalworking context

What will your child experience during the Course?

• active and independent learning through self and peer evaluations, group feedback, reflecting on learning, making independent decisions
• a blend of classroom approaches including practical and experiential learning in real-life contexts; whole class learning; team working; visits
• embedding literacy and numeracy skills: researching and presenting information; evaluating; communicating; discussion.

Assessment

• To gain National 5, learners must pass the Course Assessment (Practical Activity which requires learners to produce a finished product in wood, from working drawings) and Question Paper.

What skills will your child develop?

• skills in woodworking techniques for straightforward and familiar tasks
• using a range of woodworking tools, equipment and materials safely and correctly, with guidance
• reading and interpreting simple drawings and diagrams
• measuring and marking out straightforward timber sections and sheet materials
• straightforward cutting and shaping tasks
• practical creativity in the context of simple and familiar woodworking tasks
• following given stages to take a practical problem-solving approach to woodworking tasks with guidance
• awareness of safe working practices in a workshop environment
• knowledge of the basic properties and uses of common woodworking materials
• knowledge of sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context

What will your child experience during the Course?

• active and independent learning through self and peer evaluations, group feedback, reflecting on learning, making independent decisions
• a blend of classroom approaches including practical and experiential learning in real-life contexts; whole class learning; team working; visits
• embedding literacy and numeracy skills: interpreting drawings/diagrams, measuring, marking out, analysing data, designing.

Assessment

• To gain a National 4 award, learners must pass all Units including the Added Value Unit (Practical Activity).
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school.
• National 4 is graded Pass or as No Award.

What skills will your child develop?

• skills in woodworking techniques for tasks with some complex features
• using a range of woodworking tools, equipment and materials safely and correctly
• reading and interpreting drawings and diagrams
• measuring and marking out timber sections and sheet materials
• cutting and shaping tasks with some complex features
• practical creativity in the context of woodworking tasks with some complex features
• following given stages to take a practical problem-solving approach to woodworking tasks
• awareness of safe working practices in a workshop environment
• knowledge and understanding of the properties and uses of a range of woodworking materials
• knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context

What will your child experience during the Course?

• active and independent learning through self and peer evaluations, group feedback, reflecting on learning, making independent decisions
• a blend of classroom approaches including practical and experiential learning in real-life contexts; whole class learning; team working; visits
• embedding literacy and numeracy skills: interpreting drawings/diagrams, measuring, marking out, analysing data, designing.

Assessment

• To gain National 5, learners must pass the Course Assessment (Practical Activity which requires learners to produce a finished product in wood, from working drawings) and Question Paper