S3 Skills Options
Click on the links below to view the subject course descriptors:
Scroll down to read information on each of the Skills Options or access a specific subject 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/
Bike Maintenance Skills for Work
Max 10 students
The general aim of this unit is to enable the learner to develop the skills and knowledge to identify both routine and non-routine maintenance/repair tasks required on a cycle.
The learner will be required to develop and use a systematic method of checking the cycle to assist in the identification of faults. The learner will develop a maintenance and lubrication schedule designed to keep the cycle in optimum condition. This approach is designed to encourage a proactive rather than a reactive approach to cycle maintenance. The learner will also carry out a range of both routine and non-routine maintenance/ repair tasks to ensure the cycle is well maintained and safe to use. This will include disassembly and reassembly and the correct setting up of various sub systems of the cycle.
Max 10 students
The general aim of this unit is to enable the learner to develop the skills and knowledge to identify both routine and non-routine maintenance/repair tasks required on a cycle.
The learner will be required to develop and use a systematic method of checking the cycle to assist in the identification of faults. The learner will develop a maintenance and lubrication schedule designed to keep the cycle in optimum condition. This approach is designed to encourage a proactive rather than a reactive approach to cycle maintenance. The learner will also carry out a range of both routine and non-routine maintenance/ repair tasks to ensure the cycle is well maintained and safe to use. This will include disassembly and reassembly and the correct setting up of various sub systems of the cycle.
|
Learners who complete this Unit will be able to:
|
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. 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
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
Creative Crafting (max 10 pupils)
Learn how to make personalised gifts including keyrings, pencil cases, cards and many more! Use your creative skills and up to date technology to create items and work as part of a team to come up with a fundraising strategy to benefit our school community and local charity organisations. This is suitable for all levels of skill and ability as we will all learn together!
Learn how to make personalised gifts including keyrings, pencil cases, cards and many more! Use your creative skills and up to date technology to create items and work as part of a team to come up with a fundraising strategy to benefit our school community and local charity organisations. This is suitable for all levels of skill and ability as we will all learn together!
3D Modelling and Rendering Elective
Max 20 students
The course content will cover:
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.
There is an emphasis on developing skills for manufacturing using CAD/CAM software.
Max 20 students
The course content will cover:
- Skills in 3D CAD software (Autodesk Inventor)
- Skills in computer rendering
- Skills in Computer Aided Design for Architecture (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (Autodesk Revit)
- Preparing and manufacturing digital designs for laser cutting
- Preparing and manufacturing digital designs for CNC Routing
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.
There is an emphasis on developing skills for manufacturing using CAD/CAM software.
|
Debating
Debating isn’t just about learning to win an argument. From improving your speaking and listening skills to developing your critical thinking, learning to debate is a fun way to build confidence and work as part of a team. Debating may not be something you’ve tried before but these skills can be incredibly valuable across your school subjects, in further education and the wider world. |
|
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 2 day walking and camping expedition, you will work through 3 other activities in your own time: volunteering; physical; and skills. Your teacher will guide and support you to make your 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?
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 2 day walking and camping expedition, you will work through 3 other activities in your own time: volunteering; physical; and skills. Your teacher will guide and support you to make your 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.
You will be required to complete an application form for entry to the course and enrol with the Duke of Edinburgh Award (£22) at the start of the course.
To find out more click on this link: https://www.dofe.org/
You will be required to complete an application form for entry to the course and enrol with the Duke of Edinburgh Award (£22) at the start of the course.
To find out more click on this link: https://www.dofe.org/
|
Drama
Pupils will have the opportunity to write and perform their own scripts, as well as performing extracts from Shakespeare. They will analyse a drama production and explore different aspects of production design. |
|
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.
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.
Fashion
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.
Introduction to Philosophy
What are the big questions in life? Why are we here? Can we trust what we see? What makes something right or wrong? Philosophy is something that affects all aspects of our life and the decisions that we make. Take this elective and learn all about famous philosophers and their ideas about the way the world is and how we should make decisions. Learn to think critically and examine a variety of views which will challenge your own opinions about the way things appear to be.
What are the big questions in life? Why are we here? Can we trust what we see? What makes something right or wrong? Philosophy is something that affects all aspects of our life and the decisions that we make. Take this elective and learn all about famous philosophers and their ideas about the way the world is and how we should make decisions. Learn to think critically and examine a variety of views which will challenge your own opinions about the way things appear to be.
Language for Life and Work Award
Our Modern Languages for Life and Work Awards develop learners’ language and employability skills, through studying one or two modern languages in practical and relevant contexts for life and work.
The Awards are available at SCQF levels 3
Our Modern Languages for Life and Work Awards develop learners’ language and employability skills, through studying one or two modern languages in practical and relevant contexts for life and work.
The Awards are available at SCQF levels 3
Music Technology
Music Technology is an exciting subject which includes learning experiences such as:
Project work may include:
Music Technology is an exciting subject which includes learning experiences such as:
- Recording music/sound
- Production (Mixing and Editing)
- Planning, Rehearsal and Direction
- Creating and enhancing music using software.
- Listening to music and learning about the technological developments in the 20th and 21st century.
Project work may include:
- Working on recording skills and techniques. This includes setting up recording equipment, using the mixing desk and learning about correct microphone placement.
- Using Audacity, MixCraft and Pro Tools to manipulate pre-recorded music.
- Recording a live performance
- Multi-track recording
- Creating the sound for a short film/video game
- Creating a radio broadcast
Nail Bar Elective
An introductory course that students can continue into our S4 curriculum with college support.
We focus on customer care and have a strong and positive work ethic promoting a positive attitude in the work place for our young people. Budgeting, reception duties, stock control, buying and getting value for money are only some of the skills, as well as becoming an expert in painting nails, you will gain when working in our Nail Bar.
An introductory course that students can continue into our S4 curriculum with college support.
We focus on customer care and have a strong and positive work ethic promoting a positive attitude in the work place for our young people. Budgeting, reception duties, stock control, buying and getting value for money are only some of the skills, as well as becoming an expert in painting nails, you will gain when working in our Nail Bar.
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.
Practical Woodwork Elective
Max 20 students
Students will continue to develop the woodworking skills gained in S2 through a range of additional practical projects. You will gain experience on the woodworking lathe as well as a number of other machines, tools and processes.
The aims of the Course are to enable learners to develop:
Candidates MUST have a very good standard of behaviour and a mature approach to their studies - because of the practical nature of the course and Health & Safety implications.
You will learn about: Bench Skills, tools materials, processes, machine skills, as well as related technology theory.
Max 20 students
Students will continue to develop the woodworking skills gained in S2 through a range of additional practical projects. You will gain experience on the woodworking lathe as well as a number of other machines, tools and processes.
The aims of the Course are to enable learners to develop:
- skills in woodworking techniques
- skills in measuring and marking out timber sections and sheet materials
- safe working practices in workshop environments
- practical creativity and problem-solving skills
- knowledge of sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context
Candidates MUST have a very good standard of behaviour and a mature approach to their studies - because of the practical nature of the course and Health & Safety implications.
You will learn about: Bench Skills, tools materials, processes, machine skills, as well as related technology theory.
