S3 Skills Electives
Click on the links below to view the subject course descriptor:
Scroll down to read information on each of the Skills Electives or use the 'Quick Jump' below.
Introduction to Accounting and Finance
Want to learn more about the world of finance?
Want to try your luck investing in the stock market? ...Then this could be the course for you!
If you like the idea of working with numbers, problem solving and gaining a greater understanding of how to manage your cash then accounting is the perfect choice. It also develops key skills such as: communication, problem solving, planning and ICT.
You will also have the opportunity to compete in the Student Investor Challenge in a bid to win the top prize of a trip to New York. Working as part of a team you will receive £200,000 of virtual money to invest in the stock market and compete against other schools nationally. This is run by the London Institute of Banking and Finance and everyone competing will receive a certificate from this institution at the end of the year. You will also work as part of a team to solve financial problems faced by a mock business and present your solutions to a panel of judges.
Throughout the course you will learn:
The course develops many transferable skills which help prepare learners for everyday life, the world of work or a further study of accounting and other business-related courses.
Careers
For more information on a career in Accountancy see:
ICAEW: https://careers.icaew.com/why-a-career-in-chartered-accountancy
ICAS: https://www.icas.com/
CIMA: https://www.cimaglobal.com/
ACCA: https://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en.html
Job Profiles: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles
Student Investor Challenge: https://www.studentinvestor.org/
Want to learn more about the world of finance?
Want to try your luck investing in the stock market? ...Then this could be the course for you!
If you like the idea of working with numbers, problem solving and gaining a greater understanding of how to manage your cash then accounting is the perfect choice. It also develops key skills such as: communication, problem solving, planning and ICT.
You will also have the opportunity to compete in the Student Investor Challenge in a bid to win the top prize of a trip to New York. Working as part of a team you will receive £200,000 of virtual money to invest in the stock market and compete against other schools nationally. This is run by the London Institute of Banking and Finance and everyone competing will receive a certificate from this institution at the end of the year. You will also work as part of a team to solve financial problems faced by a mock business and present your solutions to a panel of judges.
Throughout the course you will learn:
- The role of an accountant and the wide variety of careers on offer.
- How to prepare, present, interpret and analyse accounting information. E.g. cash budgets for individuals and businesses.
- What it would be like to trade on the stock market.
- How to solve financial problems and present solutions.
- How to apply IT in accounting related tasks.
The course develops many transferable skills which help prepare learners for everyday life, the world of work or a further study of accounting and other business-related courses.
Careers
For more information on a career in Accountancy see:
ICAEW: https://careers.icaew.com/why-a-career-in-chartered-accountancy
ICAS: https://www.icas.com/
CIMA: https://www.cimaglobal.com/
ACCA: https://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en.html
Job Profiles: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles
Student Investor Challenge: https://www.studentinvestor.org/
Business Enterprise with Barista Skills
Think you’ve got what it takes to make it in Business?
This dynamic elective will test your teamwork, communication and entrepreneurial skills as
you work to creatively develop a business concept into a sustainable project. Working in a small group you will develop your idea, launch your business and following in the footsteps of
businesses like The Big Issue, Social Bite, Jamie Oliver’s restaurant - Fifteen and Divine
Chocolate. You will learn about the benefits and importance of having socially responsible
objectives and provide you with the experience to change people’s lives locally or
internationally. In completing this elective you will gain a Social Enterprise Academy Change
Award.
The course develops many transferable skills which help prepare learners for everyday life, the world of work or a further study of any business-related course which thanks to post study employment opportunities make it the most popular degree to study.
Links for Further Information
Barista Skills
An opportunity to work in the barista/professional kitchen area and develop your practical cookery skills. You will learn skills for life while working as part of a team running small enterprise projects.
Think you’ve got what it takes to make it in Business?
This dynamic elective will test your teamwork, communication and entrepreneurial skills as
you work to creatively develop a business concept into a sustainable project. Working in a small group you will develop your idea, launch your business and following in the footsteps of
businesses like The Big Issue, Social Bite, Jamie Oliver’s restaurant - Fifteen and Divine
Chocolate. You will learn about the benefits and importance of having socially responsible
objectives and provide you with the experience to change people’s lives locally or
internationally. In completing this elective you will gain a Social Enterprise Academy Change
Award.
The course develops many transferable skills which help prepare learners for everyday life, the world of work or a further study of any business-related course which thanks to post study employment opportunities make it the most popular degree to study.
Links for Further Information
- Information on Business Careers
- Job Profiles Related to Business Management
- Potential Next Steps in Business Management from College – University
- Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
- Eight Reasons to Study a Business and Management Studies Degree
- SQA Link
Barista Skills
An opportunity to work in the barista/professional kitchen area and develop your practical cookery skills. You will learn skills for life while working as part of a team running small enterprise projects.
Duke of Edinburgh
Bronze Award
The Duke of Edinburgh elective will take you through all the requirements you need to complete your Bronze Award. By choosing this elective, you will commit to completing, in your own time, a programme of activities including Skill, Physical and Volunteering for up to 6 months. You will be required to complete an application form for entry to the course and enrol with the Duke of Edinburgh Award at a cost of £30.50 (as of November 2025) at the start of the course. Please note, completion of evidence-based targets and commitment to completion of sections will be required to be eligible for the Expedition.
Classroom activities will help you to develop the skills and requirements necessary for undertaking a 2-day walking and camping expedition. Your teacher will guide and support you to make your programme choices.
Bronze Award
The Duke of Edinburgh elective will take you through all the requirements you need to complete your Bronze Award. By choosing this elective, you will commit to completing, in your own time, a programme of activities including Skill, Physical and Volunteering for up to 6 months. You will be required to complete an application form for entry to the course and enrol with the Duke of Edinburgh Award at a cost of £30.50 (as of November 2025) at the start of the course. Please note, completion of evidence-based targets and commitment to completion of sections will be required to be eligible for the Expedition.
Classroom activities will help you to develop the skills and requirements necessary for undertaking a 2-day walking and camping expedition. Your teacher will guide and support you to make your programme choices.
Do you want to take part in the world’s leading youth achievement award – push personal boundaries, gain new skills and enhance your CV and university/ job applications? If so, this course is for you.
To find out more click on this link: https://www.dofe.org/
To find out more click on this link: https://www.dofe.org/
Digital Animation
Digital Animation: Create Worlds. Bring Ideas to Life.
Step into the world of animation and unleash your creativity! In this exciting Digital Animation elective, you’ll learn how to design characters, build worlds, and make them move using 2D, 3D, and stop‑motion techniques. Whether you're animating a digital hero, working with physical objects or bringing a storyboard to life, you’ll gain the real skills used in film, games, and digital media. We will use Adobe Express and other software to create a variety of animations individually and in small groups.
Digital Animation: Create Worlds. Bring Ideas to Life.
Step into the world of animation and unleash your creativity! In this exciting Digital Animation elective, you’ll learn how to design characters, build worlds, and make them move using 2D, 3D, and stop‑motion techniques. Whether you're animating a digital hero, working with physical objects or bringing a storyboard to life, you’ll gain the real skills used in film, games, and digital media. We will use Adobe Express and other software to create a variety of animations individually and in small groups.
Fashion & Textiles
This elective will provide an insight into the fashion industry from design and construction to fashion merchandising, visual communication and styling. The fashion elective is a practical course and it will enable you to engage in creative processes and produce exciting 3D pieces. The fashion elective will involve individual and group work and encourage the creation of large scale collaborative pieces.
This elective will provide an insight into the fashion industry from design and construction to fashion merchandising, visual communication and styling. The fashion elective is a practical course and it will enable you to engage in creative processes and produce exciting 3D pieces. The fashion elective will involve individual and group work and encourage the creation of large scale collaborative pieces.
Intro to Sports Leader
The Sports Leader elective is for anyone who is interested in developing their ability to lead and coach in a variety of sporting activities.
Pupils will;
The Sports Leader elective is for anyone who is interested in developing their ability to lead and coach in a variety of sporting activities.
Pupils will;
- Create and deliver a range of warm ups, practices and games.
- Learn to referee games and organise tournaments for their class and other groups.
- Plan sessions with the potential opportunity to lead primary groups and clubs in an activity of their choice.
John Muir Award
The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme. As part of the Award, you will explore a wild place, plan how to conserve it and share your experience to a wider audience.
Picking this elective will focus on Learning for Sustainability and the benefits of being outdoors. You will develop values, attitudes, knowledge and skills which are linked to climate change and the natural world around us.
For further information: Find out More about Us | Who We Are | John Muir Trust
The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme. As part of the Award, you will explore a wild place, plan how to conserve it and share your experience to a wider audience.
Picking this elective will focus on Learning for Sustainability and the benefits of being outdoors. You will develop values, attitudes, knowledge and skills which are linked to climate change and the natural world around us.
For further information: Find out More about Us | Who We Are | John Muir Trust
S3 Elective – Model United Nations
The Model United Nations elective introduces S3 learners to International Diplomacy, Global Issues, and the decision-making processes of the United Nations. Through research, discussion and debate, you will take on the role of world leaders, representing a country’s interests while collaborating to find solutions to real-world challenges!
Aims of the Course
The Model United Nations elective introduces S3 learners to International Diplomacy, Global Issues, and the decision-making processes of the United Nations. Through research, discussion and debate, you will take on the role of world leaders, representing a country’s interests while collaborating to find solutions to real-world challenges!
Aims of the Course
- To develop an understanding of global issues such as climate change, human rights and conflict resolution.
- To build skills in communication, negotiation, teamwork and critical thinking.
- To encourage respect for diverse perspectives and cultures.
- To gain insight into how global cooperation works in practice.
- Research assigned countries and current global topics.
- Draft and present position papers and resolutions.
- Participate in structured debates and simulations.
- Work in committees and practice diplomatic negotiation.
- Reflect on their progress, skills and global awareness.
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Nail Bar
Pupils gain hands-on experience in the beauty industry, with the opportunity to achieve a Personal Development Award at Level 4. As part of the program, pupils will gain valuable work experience, building both practical and professional skills. Additionally, they will have the chance to visit Ayrshire College for an introduction to their hair and beauty courses, offering insight into further education and career opportunities. Skills Gained:
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Photography
This elective will provide a beginners guide to photography, looking at a variety of different areas including landscape photography, portraiture and abstract photography. You will be given the opportunity to use the digital SLR cameras within the department as well as using modern technology within your mobile phones to their full capacity. You will also be introduced to editing software to create different effects on your work.
This elective will provide a beginners guide to photography, looking at a variety of different areas including landscape photography, portraiture and abstract photography. You will be given the opportunity to use the digital SLR cameras within the department as well as using modern technology within your mobile phones to their full capacity. You will also be introduced to editing software to create different effects on your work.
School of Rugby
The S3 School of Rugby elective will give those involved the opportunity to develop their physical, mental, social and emotional performance in Rugby. The will be done through in depth coaching sessions on team structure and tactical awareness, skill performance and strength and conditioning sessions. Those who pick School of Rugby should be passionate about the game and developing their performance.
The S3 School of Rugby elective will give those involved the opportunity to develop their physical, mental, social and emotional performance in Rugby. The will be done through in depth coaching sessions on team structure and tactical awareness, skill performance and strength and conditioning sessions. Those who pick School of Rugby should be passionate about the game and developing their performance.
School of Handball
The S3 School of Handball elective will give anyone interested in participating the opportunity to develop their abilities and knowledge in the technical and tactical concepts of Handball via practical training sessions and games. Fundamentals such as dribbling, passing and shooting will be coupled with defensive and offensive principles as well as a wide array of tactical concepts such as Fast Breaks, Defensive and Attacking systems, and match tactics. No prior experience or handball specific ability is required. This elective is not open to those attending School of Rugby.
The S3 School of Handball elective will give anyone interested in participating the opportunity to develop their abilities and knowledge in the technical and tactical concepts of Handball via practical training sessions and games. Fundamentals such as dribbling, passing and shooting will be coupled with defensive and offensive principles as well as a wide array of tactical concepts such as Fast Breaks, Defensive and Attacking systems, and match tactics. No prior experience or handball specific ability is required. This elective is not open to those attending School of Rugby.
School of Hockey
The S3 School of Hockey elective will give anyone interested in participating the opportunity to develop their abilities and knowledge in the technical and tactical concepts of Hockey via practical training sessions and games. Fundamentals such as dribbling, passing and shooting will be coupled with defensive and offensive principles as well as a wide array of tactical concepts such as Fast Breaks, Defensive and Attacking systems, and match tactics.
The S3 School of Hockey elective will give anyone interested in participating the opportunity to develop their abilities and knowledge in the technical and tactical concepts of Hockey via practical training sessions and games. Fundamentals such as dribbling, passing and shooting will be coupled with defensive and offensive principles as well as a wide array of tactical concepts such as Fast Breaks, Defensive and Attacking systems, and match tactics.
Young STEM Leader Award with Forensics
This course is designed to inspire and develop young people through STEM
activities.
You will be able to gain a formal Young STEM Leader award which is recognised
throughout Scotland!
This course is designed to inspire and develop young people through STEM
activities.
You will be able to gain a formal Young STEM Leader award which is recognised
throughout Scotland!
- Explore the world of STEM through a range of fun and exciting practical activities.
- Develop your leadership and teamworking skills.
- Plan and lead STEM activities to gain the YSL award.
