Wick High School offers a wide range of Technical subjects:
- BGE Craft, Design and Technology CfE
- Design & Manufacture at National and Higher level
- Graphic Communication at National and Higher level
- Practical Metalworking at National level
- Practical Woodworking at National level
BGE Craft, Design and Technology
S1
In S1, you are introduced to Craft, Design and Technology. This course is jampacked with exciting, fun projects that use a range of new skills and lay the foundations for our senior courses. You will experience and develop skills in graphics, design, woodwork and metalwork. We explore different software in the classroom, as well as learn and use a range of hand and machine tools in the workshop. It’s a broad course covering a lot of knowledge.
S2
In S2, we continue to build on the skills you were introduced to during your time in S1. Workshop projects are made from a combination of metal, plastic and wood and cover a broad range of skills and tools that will prepare you for our practical courses in S3. In the classroom we focus on developing sketching skills as well as our computer skills, where we use CAD software to generate 3D models and drawings and Design software to make promotional graphics. We also have a small design project that allows you to combine your design and practical skills to create a project that has been designed and made by you in the workshop.
S3
S3 is a key year where the scene is being set for National qualifications. Pupils can now select which technical subjects they enjoy the most and begin to study and complete work at National level. We offer 3 key subjects in S3 – Design and Manufacture, Practical Woodwork, and Graphic Communication. In S1 and S2, pupils explored all 3 of these areas but now in S3 they can branch into one of the specialist areas and gain a deeper understanding of the subject. These courses prepare pupils with skills and knowledge to undertake their qualifications in S4. Pupils may select all 3 subjects on offer, many of the skills overlap. These courses are ideal for pupils who enjoy problem solving, creativity, drawing, practical and technology-based projects.
Practical Metalwork is only on offer to pupils from S4 onwards.
N4/5 Design & Manufacture
The National 5 Design and Manufacture course allows candidates to develop knowledge and skills enabling them to appreciate, contribute and adapt to the diverse opportunities offered in manufacturing industries.
Candidates develop creative and practical skills by designing and making solutions to real problems. In addition, they gain an understanding of the impact of design and manufacture on everyday life.
The course encourages candidates to take a broad view of design and manufacture, through making decisions and taking responsibility for their own actions, generating and developing ideas, applying knowledge, and justifying decisions. These transferrable skills place candidates in a strong position regardless of the career path they choose.
The main purpose of the course is to allow candidates to develop the skills and knowledge associated with designing and manufacturing. The course enables candidates to develop:
- Skills in designing and manufacturing models, prototypes and products
- knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes and materials
- An understanding of the impact of design and manufacturing technologies on our environment and society
Assessment takes place through an SQA examination, and a design and manufacture based assignment. Further information on the course can be found at the following SQA link
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47457.html
Higher Design and Manufacture
The Higher Design and Manufacture course allows pupils to develop their creative skills whilst learning about design, materials, and commercial manufacture. They will analyse problems, carry out research, generate design ideas, build models, and justify the choice of materials and processes for the commercial manufacture of different products through working on a variety of design-based tasks.
This course is heavily based on generating and developing solutions for design problems through sketching and model making. At Higher level, pupils do not manufacture their design solutions in the workshop as they do at National 5 level as they are to design products for commercial manufacture. Pupils should bare this in mind when selecting this course as the only practical element is model making.
The course award is made up of a 2 hour 15 minute exam which is worth 80 marks, and an assignment which is worth 90 marks and carried out over an extended period of time once all course content is covered.
National 4/5 Graphic Communication
National 4/5 Graphic communication is an opportunity for pupils to broaden their skills they have developed at BGE. The course is digital, and paper based, that uses a wide range of software, material and equipment throughout to explore 2D and 3D graphics. Pupils explore design and creativity in a variety of situations while developing an awareness of Graphic communication as an internal language and the importance adhering to standards and conventions. Computer Aided Design features in this course which allows pupils to read, interpret and build CAD models and technical drawings, along with Desktop Publishing Skills that lead to a deeper understanding of promotional Graphics. Sketching is also a fundamental skill that pupils focus and develop, allowing their ideas to be communicated and presented in a quick but concise manner. This course is largely learner-centred for anyone who has an interest in Computer Design and Manual drawing and would possible like to pursue a career in any technology and design-based subject.
The course award is made up of an 8-hour practical assignment worth 30% and an examination worth 70% where they will be tested on areas of Graphic Communication.
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47459.html
Higher Graphic Communication
Higher Graphic communication is an opportunity for pupils to deepen their skills they have developed at National 5 Graphic Communication. It allows them to develop skills in reading and interpreting graphics produced by others. They continue to develop graphic awareness, often in complex graphic situations, expanding their visual literacy. The pupils will learn to select, manage and use Graphic communication equipment, software and materials effectively across tasks. Computer aided graphic techniques including commercial and industrial practice are explored allowing pupils to have an informed understanding of the impact of graphic communication technologies on the environment and society.
This course is largely learner-centred for anyone who has an interest in Computer Aided Design, and Manual drawing and would possible like to pursue a career in any technology and design-based subject.
The course award is made up of an 8-hour practical assignment worth 30% and an examination worth 70% where they will be tested on areas of Graphic Communication.
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47929.html
N4/5 Practical Woodworking
The National 5 Practical Woodworking course provides opportunities for candidates to gain a range of theoretical and practical woodworking skills relating to tools, equipment, processes and materials. They also develop skills in reading and interpreting working drawings and related documents as well as an understanding of health and safety.
The course is practical, exploratory and experiential in nature. It engages candidates with technologies, allowing them to consider the impact that practical technologies have on our environment and society. Through this, they develop skills, knowledge and understanding of:
- Woodworking techniques
- Measuring and marking out timber sections and sheet materials
- Safe working practices in workshop environments
- Practical creativity and problem-solving skills
- Sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context
The course is broken down into three main Units:
- Flat Frame Construction
- Carcass Construction
- Machining and Finishing
Once you have completed these units you will manufacture the SQA assignment and complete the exam to assess your understanding of the course. Further information can be found at the following SQA link
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47462.html
N4/5 Practical Metalworking
The National 5 Practical Metalworking course provides opportunities for candidates to gain a range of theoretical and practical metalworking skills relating to tools, equipment, processes and materials. They also develop skills in reading and interpreting working drawings and related documents as well as an understanding of health and safety.
The course is practical, exploratory and experiential in nature. It engages candidates with technologies, allowing them to consider the impact that practical technologies have on our environment and society. Through this, they develop skills, knowledge and understanding of:
- Metalworking techniques
- Measuring and marking out metal sections and sheet materials
- Safe working practices in workshop environments
- Practical creativity and problem-solving skills
- sustainability issues in a practical metalworking context
The course is broken down into three main units:
- Bench Skills
- Machine Processes
- Fabrication and thermal joining
Once you have completed these units you will manufacture the SQA assignment and complete the exam to assess your understanding of the course. Further information can be found at the following SQA link