Links to Local Primary Schools

The technical dept has excellent links with its local primaries. Our feeder primary schools took part in the ‘Hooked On Hermitage’ project.

In S1 and S2, the curriculum is a common course which involves the following technological subjects

1. Craft and Design.
2. Graphic Communication

Courses in S1 and S2 follow the 5-14 National Guidelines and have proven to be a good foundation for further study in Design and Technology. The S1 and S2 course encourages the pupils to be much more creative and innovative.

At Standard Grade, Craft and Design and Graphic Communication become individual subject which are options offered in the Standard Grade option choice.

Graphic Communication

The course introduces pupils to an extremely wide range of presentation methods, which are employed in real life visual communications.

These involve :

Drawing Board Skills,
Colour Illustration,
Computer Aided Design, and
Drafting Presentation Techniques.

The wide variety of teaching aids is stressed here. A thematic approach is adopted throughout the course. The final assessment is based on a folio of work, and one exams. The Higher and Advanced Higher Grade further develops the areas covered in Standard grade.

Craft and Design 

It aims to teach pupils to work independently, and develop skills in thinking, planning, writing (reports), drawing and sketching. The course involves working with a variety of materials including wood, metal and plastic.

A project is also involved where a major item is planned, constructed and evaluated. This occurs towards the end of the course. There is one exam that assess knowledge and under  standing of Designing tools and , processes.

The Higher grade changes emphasis towards a product design course. Pupils build on their design skills from standard grade and look at designing and designers in the real world. There are two exams assessing designing and knowledge base.

Practical Craft Skills Intermediate 1/2

Aims of the Course

1.foster practical skills in the creation of artefacts

2.develop knowledge, understanding and skills of general aspects of practical engineering activity

3. encourage independence and the ability to make choices

4. highlight the importance of safety and encourage responsible attitudes in the workshop environment

5. contribute to personal development, in particular to practical capability.

Course Content

Pupils will manufacture four projects using different materials.

Core Skills

Planning and Organising

Using Graphical Information

Assessments

To gain the award of the course, the student must pass all the unit assessments as well as the external assessment.

External assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment in the award.