S3 Skills Options
Click on the links below to view the subject course descriptors:
Introduction to Accounting and Finance
The Accounting function is the lifeblood of organisations. If you like the idea of working with numbers, problem solving and gaining a greater understanding of how to manage cash then this is the course for you. This elective combines practical and theoretical aspects of Accounting along with elements of personal finance and budgeting. It also develops key skills such as: communication, problem solving, planning and ICT.
Students will have the opportunity to compete in the Student Investor Challenge in a bid to win the top prize of a trip to New York. They will also work as part of a team to solve financial problems faced by a mock business and present their solutions to a panel of judges.
Throughout the course you will learn:
The course develops many transferable skills which helps prepare learners for everyday life, the world of work or a further study of accounting and other business-related courses.
Architecture
The brand-new architecture elective will give students the opportunity to design innovative and exciting spaces and buildings, whilst encouraging creativity and originality through developing a real-life design proposal.
Students will learn to present their ideas both manually and digitally and there will be a focus on training in use of the powerful Autodesk Revit Architecture software package which is widely used in industry.
The architecture elective will be supported by a local architecture firm who will have input to the design project which students are presented with as well as providing students with a real-life insight into being an architect in modern-day industry. The course will also provide an insight into using applied mathematical elements of civil and structural engineering.
Course content:
Business Enterprise
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.
CAD/CAM – Production Engineering
Students will be given the opportunity to make use of the brand new CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacture) machinery within the Design & Technology Department. The course content will cover:
There is an emphasis on developing skills for manufacturing using CAD/CAM software. Students will be tasked with manufacturing bespoke items for promotion and sale at an end of year exhibition.
Creative Writing
See Miss Law for details
Duke of Edinburgh – Bronze Award
The Duke of Edinburgh course will take you through all the requirements you need to complete your Bronze Award. As well as learning all you need to know to be able to undertake a walking and camping trip, you will work through 3 other activities in your own time: volunteering; physical; and skills
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. You will be required to complete an application form for entry to the course and enrol with the Duke of Edinburgh Award (£17) at the start of the course.
Drama
Our S3 Drama course focuses on forms of Drama, conventions of Drama and the basics of Theatre Arts Technology. There is the potential to work with external agencies to learn about lighting, sound and stage management. In each lesson, students will build their confidence in devising and performing short dramatic scenes. Students will also study extracts from various Scottish drama texts.
The study of Drama is excellent for building an individual’s confidence and brings great benefit to communication skills; students will also develop their peer relations and hone feedback skills. Cultivating a love of theatre will also be paramount, with opportunity for trips/guest speakers.
Debating
See Miss Law for details
Electronics
This challenging, interesting and fun short course focuses on developing key skills by constructing electronic circuits. Using soldering irons, breadboards and semiconductor components you will undertake projects and build a variety of small electronic devices. Following the same process as electronic engineers, you will design and test these circuits using computer simulation and then construct the circuits on solderless prototype boards.
Finally you will solder the circuit onto veroboard to make a permanent and reliable device. Over the twenty weeks (40 hours) this will lead to a more complex project where you will design, test and build a set of sequenced flashing LED Christmas lights with the timing controlled by integrated logic circuits. Success in this course will enable you to achieve the prestigious British Science Association Crest Silver Award.
Environmental Science
An opportunity to explore Environmental themes affecting our changing world
Fashion and Textile
Fashion and textiles, have fun making your own headwear based on Warrior masks for a costume drama, or design an outrageous piece of headwear for Lady Gaga for an awards ceremony. Learn new skills in different media. Try out your ideas using recycled materials, and experiment in junk couture. You will develop new skills in creating and designing as well as building up your confidence and learn.
Marr Radio
See Miss Law for details
Music Technology
This exciting new course will open up the possibilities offered by technology to the creative world of music. You will learn how to record sounds, process them, and produce a finished product to the standards required by today's multimedia and games industries.
Skills you will gain will include signal routing, processing and control, output level monitoring, and final project package management. Students selecting this course should be able to perform to a good standard on a musical instrument and be prepared to contribute to their own and others' projects as an instrumentalist, singer, or technical adviser.
The Accounting function is the lifeblood of organisations. If you like the idea of working with numbers, problem solving and gaining a greater understanding of how to manage cash then this is the course for you. This elective combines practical and theoretical aspects of Accounting along with elements of personal finance and budgeting. It also develops key skills such as: communication, problem solving, planning and ICT.
Students will have the opportunity to compete in the Student Investor Challenge in a bid to win the top prize of a trip to New York. They will also work as part of a team to solve financial problems faced by a mock business and present their solutions to a panel of judges.
Throughout the course you will learn:
- The role of an accountant and the variety of jobs that they do.
- How to prepare, present, interpret and analyse accounting information e.g. cash budgets for individuals and businesses, statement of financial positions etc.
- 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 helps prepare learners for everyday life, the world of work or a further study of accounting and other business-related courses.
Architecture
The brand-new architecture elective will give students the opportunity to design innovative and exciting spaces and buildings, whilst encouraging creativity and originality through developing a real-life design proposal.
Students will learn to present their ideas both manually and digitally and there will be a focus on training in use of the powerful Autodesk Revit Architecture software package which is widely used in industry.
The architecture elective will be supported by a local architecture firm who will have input to the design project which students are presented with as well as providing students with a real-life insight into being an architect in modern-day industry. The course will also provide an insight into using applied mathematical elements of civil and structural engineering.
Course content:
- Manual sketching and rendering
- Room planning and design
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Business Enterprise
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.
CAD/CAM – Production Engineering
Students will be given the opportunity to make use of the brand new CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacture) machinery within the Design & Technology Department. The course content will cover:
- Skills in 3D CAD software (Autodesk Inventor)
- Skills in 2D CAD software (AutoCAD)
- Preparing and manufacturing digital designs for laser cutting
- Preparing and manufacturing digital designs for CNC Routing
- 3D Printing
- Sublimation printing
There is an emphasis on developing skills for manufacturing using CAD/CAM software. Students will be tasked with manufacturing bespoke items for promotion and sale at an end of year exhibition.
Creative Writing
See Miss Law for details
Duke of Edinburgh – Bronze Award
The Duke of Edinburgh course will take you through all the requirements you need to complete your Bronze Award. As well as learning all you need to know to be able to undertake a walking and camping trip, you will work through 3 other activities in your own time: volunteering; physical; and skills
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. You will be required to complete an application form for entry to the course and enrol with the Duke of Edinburgh Award (£17) at the start of the course.
Drama
Our S3 Drama course focuses on forms of Drama, conventions of Drama and the basics of Theatre Arts Technology. There is the potential to work with external agencies to learn about lighting, sound and stage management. In each lesson, students will build their confidence in devising and performing short dramatic scenes. Students will also study extracts from various Scottish drama texts.
The study of Drama is excellent for building an individual’s confidence and brings great benefit to communication skills; students will also develop their peer relations and hone feedback skills. Cultivating a love of theatre will also be paramount, with opportunity for trips/guest speakers.
Debating
See Miss Law for details
Electronics
This challenging, interesting and fun short course focuses on developing key skills by constructing electronic circuits. Using soldering irons, breadboards and semiconductor components you will undertake projects and build a variety of small electronic devices. Following the same process as electronic engineers, you will design and test these circuits using computer simulation and then construct the circuits on solderless prototype boards.
Finally you will solder the circuit onto veroboard to make a permanent and reliable device. Over the twenty weeks (40 hours) this will lead to a more complex project where you will design, test and build a set of sequenced flashing LED Christmas lights with the timing controlled by integrated logic circuits. Success in this course will enable you to achieve the prestigious British Science Association Crest Silver Award.
Environmental Science
An opportunity to explore Environmental themes affecting our changing world
Fashion and Textile
Fashion and textiles, have fun making your own headwear based on Warrior masks for a costume drama, or design an outrageous piece of headwear for Lady Gaga for an awards ceremony. Learn new skills in different media. Try out your ideas using recycled materials, and experiment in junk couture. You will develop new skills in creating and designing as well as building up your confidence and learn.
Marr Radio
See Miss Law for details
Music Technology
This exciting new course will open up the possibilities offered by technology to the creative world of music. You will learn how to record sounds, process them, and produce a finished product to the standards required by today's multimedia and games industries.
Skills you will gain will include signal routing, processing and control, output level monitoring, and final project package management. Students selecting this course should be able to perform to a good standard on a musical instrument and be prepared to contribute to their own and others' projects as an instrumentalist, singer, or technical adviser.
