Purpose:

The course introduces pupils to beekeeping through a combination of theory and practical based learning.

Course Details: 

Over the course of three SQA Units pupils will learn about the equipment and tools used to keep bees and the techniques used to subdue and manage them. Pupils will learn the science and practice of beekeeping, the theory related to the plants, pests and diseases that can effect bees and the importance of bees to the wider agricultural economy. Pupils will gain hands-on practical experience working with the bees within the school apiary.

Skills Developed:

§   Pupils will develop knowledge of beekeeping science, theory and practice.

§   Pupils will develop skills in identification and use of associated equipment and tools.

§   Under supervision pupils will learn how to manipulate, subdue and manage colonies of bees.

Assessment:

Level 5 NPA: Candidates are required to pass 3 mandatory Units:

-        Beekeeping: An Introduction

-        Beekeeping: Practical Skills

-        Beekeeping: Theory

Purpose:

The course provides a broad introduction to practical woodworking. It is largely workshop-based, combining elements of theory and practical woodworking techniques.

Course Details: 

The course allows pupils to develop practical skills (manual dexterity and control), knowledge and understanding of woodworking through SQA Units in Flat-frame Construction, Carcase Construction and Machining and Finishing. Pupils are introduced to safe working practices and become proactive in matters of health and safety. They will learn how to use a range of tools, equipment and materials safely and correctly.

Skills Developed:

• Each unit will focus on specific aspects of woodworking, but all units will include skills in measuring and marking out, cutting and shaping, assembly and finish.

• Pupils will develop knowledge and understanding of a range of woodworking tools, processes, equipment and materials.

• Pupils will develop skills in reading and interpretation of technical drawings and diagrams.

• Pupils will develop an appreciation of safe working practices and how to work effectively alongside others in a shared workshop environment.

• Course activities will also provide opportunities to build self-confidence and to enhance skills in project planning, organisation, time management and communication- valuable skills for learning, for life and for work.

Assessment:

National 4: Candidates require to pass 3 Units and the Added Value Unit [extended practical task].

National 5: Candidates required to complete SQA set Practical Assignment [extended practical task] worth 70% of overall marks and SQA Question Paper worth 30% of overall marks.

Progression: 

Practical Woodworking will lead to certification at National 4 or National 5 level depending on the ability of the pupil.

Progression could include further study of Practical Woodworking at National 5, Practical Metalworking at National 5  or Further Education College courses.

Purpose:

Due to the increased level of difficulty and challenge when working with metal this course is ideally recommended for S5/6 pupils who have already achieved National 5 Practical Woodworking. Pupils considering studying this course in S4 should first check with PT Technologies & Outdoor Learning to ensure their suitability for the course.

The course provides a broad introduction to practical metalworking. It is largely workshop-based, combining elements of theory and practical metalworking techniques.

Course Details: 

The course provides opportunities for pupils to gain a range of knowledge and practical metalworking skills relating to tools, equipment, processes and materials. Pupils will develop skills through SQA Units in Bench skills, Machine processes, Fabrication and thermal joining. Pupils are introduced to safe working practices and become proactive in matters of health and safety.

Skills Developed:

• Each unit will focus on specific aspects of metalworking, but all units will include skills in measuring and marking out, cutting and shaping, assembly and finish.

• Pupils will develop knowledge and understanding of a range of metalworking tools, processes, equipment and materials.

• Pupils will develop skills in reading and interpretation of technical drawings and diagrams.

• Pupils will develop an appreciation of safe working practices and how to work effectively alongside others in a shared workshop environment.

• Course activities will also provide opportunities to build self-confidence and to enhance skills in project planning, organisation, time management and communication- valuable skills for learning, for life and for work.

Assessment:

National 4: Candidates require to pass 3 Units and the Added Value Unit [extended practical task].

National 5: Candidates required to complete SQA set Practical Assignment [extended practical task] worth 70% of overall marks and SQA Question Paper worth 30% of overall marks.

Progression: 

Practical Metalworking will lead to certification at National 4 or National 5 level depending on the ability of the pupil.

Progression could include further study of Practical Metalworking at National 5 or Further Education College courses. 

Purpose:

The course provides opportunities for pupils to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to design and manufacture products to meet the needs of a design brief.  The course is taught through a combination of theory and practical based learning.

Course Details: 

The course enables pupils to develop creativity and problem-solving skills when designing products to meet the needs of a brief, and practical skills when manufacturing solutions. The course encourages self-directed learning through the interpretation of a design brief, the generation and development of suitable ideas, and the application of experience and knowledge to justify decisions made.

Skills Developed:

Design:

• Pupils will study the design process from brief to finished product- developing skills in creative thinking, idea generation and idea development.

• Pupils will develop skills to evaluate and problem-solve design proposals.

• Pupils will learn how to communicate design proposals through a range of sketching techniques, soft modelling and annotation.

• Pupils will develop an understanding of the key factors that influence the design of products.

Manufacture:

• Pupils will develop knowledge and understanding of a range of tools, processes and equipment used when working with wood, metal and plastic.

• Pupils will develop skills in reading and interpretation of technical drawings and diagrams.

• Pupils will develop an appreciation of safe working practices and how to work effectively alongside others in a shared workshop environment.

• Course activities will also provide opportunities to build self-confidence and to enhance skills in project planning, organisation, time management and communication- valuable skills for learning, for life and for work.

Assessment:

National 4: Candidates require to pass 2 Units and the Added Value Unit [extended practical task].

National 5: Candidates required to complete SQA set Design Assignment [extended design and practical task] worth 55% of overall marks and SQA Question Paper worth 45% of overall marks.

Progression: 

Design & Manufacture will lead to certification at National 4 and 5 depending on the ability of the pupil.

Progression could include further study of Design & Manufacture at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels in S5-S6.

Progression: 

Design and Manufacture will lead to certification at National 4 and 5 depending on the ability of the pupil.

Completion of this course would mean that a pupil could then further study Design and Manufacture at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels in S5-S6.

Purpose:

The course provides opportunities for pupils to develop skills in reading, interpreting and creating a range of 2D and 3D graphics using both manual and digital techniques. The course is practical and creative in nature and combines elements of professional standards for graphic communication, elements of graphic design and the methods used to create visual impact.

Course Details:

Through extended units of work pupils will learn to plan, create and communicate ideas graphically, using a range of manual techniques and industry standard digital software. The course provides opportunity to develop creativity and design skills alongside an understanding of graphic communication standards, protocols and conventions.

Skills Developed:

• Pupils will develop knowledge and understanding of the role of preliminary, production and promotional graphics in graphic communication activities.

• Pupils will develop the skills and techniques used in the production of manual graphics, using a range of equipment and graphics materials.

• Pupils will make use of industry standard software to develop skills in 3D modelling and desktop publishing.

• Pupils will develop an understanding of the design principles and elements used to create effective graphic design.

• Pupils will develop the ability to recognise and apply knowledge and understanding of graphic communication standards, protocols and conventions.

• Pupils will develop an understanding of the impact of graphic communication technologies on our environment and society.

Assessment:

National 4: Candidates require to pass 2 Units and the Added Value Unit [extended task].

National 5: Candidates required to complete SQA set Assignment [extended task] worth 35% of overall marks and SQA Question Paper worth 65% of overall marks.

Progression: 

Graphic Communication will lead to certification at National 4 or National 5 depending on the ability of the pupil.

Progression could include further study of Graphic Communication at National 5 and Higher levels in S5-S6.

Purpose:

The course provides opportunities for learners to initiate and develop their own ideas graphically. It allows them to develop skills in reading and interpreting graphics produced by others. Learners will continue to develop graphic awareness in often complex graphic situations so expanding their visual literacy.

The course is practical, exploratory and experimental in nature. It combines elements of creativity and communicating for visual impact with elements of protocol and an appreciation of the importance of graphic communication standards in the world of work.

Recommended Entry:

While entry to the course will be at the discretion of the Principal Teacher, students will normally be expected to have attained N5 at grades A or B.

Course Details: 

On completing the course, learners will have developed skills in 2D and 3D graphics, as well as pictorial graphics. They will be able to apply these skills with discernment in order to produce graphics with visual impact and graphics that require the effective transmission of information.

The course comprises of two mandatory areas of study:

2D Graphic Communication: This area of study develops learner’s creativity and presentation skills within a 2D graphic communication context. It will allow learners to initiate, plan, develop and communicate ideas graphically, using two-dimensional graphic techniques. This will allow the development of spatial awareness, visual literacy, and the ability to interpret given drawings and evaluate the effectiveness of graphic communications in 2D.

3D Graphic Communication:  This area of study develops learner’s creativity and presentation skills within a 3D graphic communication context. It will allow learners to initiate, plan, develop and communicate ideas graphically, using three-dimensional graphic techniques. This will allow the development of spatial awareness, visual literacy, and the ability to interpret given drawings and evaluate the effectiveness of graphic communications in 3D.

The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment (70 marks) and a Question Paper (exam for 70 marks)

Progression: 

• Other SQA qualifications in Graphic Communication or other related areas; Study at further education; Employment and/or training.

Purpose:

The course provides a broad and practical experience in product design and manufacture. It provides opportunities for learners to gain skills in designing and communicating design proposals and opportunities for learners to refine and resolve their design ideas effectively. This highlights the close relationship between designing, making, testing and refining design ideas. It gives opportunities for learners to apply practical skills and an understanding of the properties and uses of materials and manufacturing processes through the exploration of design alternatives and their implications.

The course combines elements of creativity and designing for aesthetic or visual impact with elements of designing for the practicalities of manufacturing. It will also consider the life cycle of a product from its inception through design, manufacture and use to its disposal/reuse.

Recommended Entry:

While entry to the course will be at the discretion of the Principal Teacher, students will normally be expected to have attained N5 at grades A or B.

Course Details: 

The course allows learners to develop; design skills in the context of products; practical skills in planning and making or manufacturing models and prototypes, including the selection and use of equipment, materials and/or software; and skills in the evaluation of design proposals, including form and function, leading to a refinement of their design ideas.

The course comprises of two main areas of study:

Design: This area of study covers the process of product design from brief to resolved design proposals and specification. It helps learners develop skills in initiating, developing, articulating and communicating design proposals for products.

Materials and Manufacture: This area of study covers the process of product design from design proposals to prototype. It allows learners to gain skills in planning and making models and prototypes. It helps learners to ‘close the loop’ by manufacturing a set of design ideas. It also allows learners to consider the manufacturing techniques and processes that would apply to a design proposal in an industrial/commercial context. 

The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment (70 marks) and a Question Paper (exam for 70 marks)

Progression: 

• Other SQA qualifications in Design and Manufacture or related areas

• Study at further education

• Employment and/or training