Welcome to the Technologies Faculty

 

Welcome to the Faculty of Technologies.

Here you will find information about the faculty and the courses we have on offer from S1 through to S6, as well as information on career pathways and materials to support remote study. 

For detailed information on all Senior Phase courses please visit the SQA website or alternatively you can view the National Parent Forum in a Nutshell (links found in subject areas).

Members of the Faculty

 

 

BGE Technologies

S1-S3  Business, S1/2 Creativity and Enterprise, S1/2 Developing the Young Workforce, 

S3 Business Studies with Finance, S3 Administration & IT

Business and enterprise are at the heart of our county’s national growth and development. Whatever you do in your professional life, the chances are that it will involve some business. Scientists, engineers, even artists, will inevitably have to understand at least the basics of business, and probably a lot more! Business-related courses offer pupils the opportunity to access, understand and contribute to the dynamic business environment.

 

S1-S3 Craft & Design, S1/2 STEM, S1/2 CDT, S3 Graphic Communication, S3 Design & Manufacture

Craft, Design and Technology is about providing opportunities for young people to develop their capabilities by combining their design and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products.  Young people will learn how products and systems are designed and manufactured, how to be innovative and to make creative use of a variety of resources including digital technologies, to improve the world around them. 

Senior Phase Business

National 3, 4 and 5 Business

What skills will my child develop?
• enterprise and employability skills
• knowledge and understanding of the ways in which business operates
• knowledge and understanding of the role of business
• knowledge and understanding of financial and economic situations
• straightforward business planning techniques to ensure success
• straightforward knowledge and understanding of entrepreneurial attributes for business start-up
• understanding of the straightforward actions taken by business to meet customers’ needs and to remain competitive
• knowledge and understanding of key business facts and characteristics
• awareness of straightforward internal and external influences on business activity
• interpreting and drawing elementary conclusions from straightforward business information
• independence, communication and ICT skills

Assessment
• To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
• Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could be presented in a variety of ways such as written reports, presentations, e-portfolio, diaries, blogs, checklist, business plan. A portfolio of work may be prepared
• The Course Assessment consists of a Question Paper (exam) and an Assignment requiring learners produce a report on a business in response to a brief. Both are marked by the SQA and are graded A to D.

Higher Business Management

Advanced Higher Business Management

 

National 3, 4 and 5 Administration & IT

What skills will my child develop?
• an understanding of administration in the workplace and of the attributes required of good administrators
• knowledge and understanding of key legislation affecting organisations and employees
• knowledge and understanding the benefits to organisations of good customer care
• IT skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, desktop publishing in familiar and some unfamiliar contexts
• the ability to use IT skills in more complex administrative tasks
• organisational skills in the context of organising and supporting events
• the ability to use technology appropriately for communication and investigation in familiar and some unfamiliar contexts
• skills in organising, processing and communicating information in largely familiar contexts
• knowledge and understanding of social issues such as business use of IT and the impacts of IT
• problem-solving, team-working and using initiative

Assessment
• To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
• Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could be presented in a variety of ways such as e-portfolios, audio and video recordings, presentations, diaries, written work. A portfolio of work may be prepared
• The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment which will require learners to use their knowledge and skills to prepare for and support an event. This will be assessed and graded A to D by the SQA.

Higher Administration & IT

Learners will be able to:
• understand administration in the workplace and its importance
• take responsibility for key administrative tasks
• develop a range of advanced IT skills for processing and managing information
• communicate complex information effectively, making appropriate use of IT
• develop skills in managing the organisation of events
• solve problems in the context of administration

Opportunities for Learners

Learners will be able to:
• develop their administrative and IT skills
• use a range of functions, some of them complex, of IT applications such as word processing,
spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, presentation
• organise, manage and communicate relatively complex information
• understand relevant health, safety and security legislation and workplace procedures

Assessment
• To gain Higher Administration and IT, learners must pass the three Units and the Course Assessment
(Assignment and Question Paper for 100 marks)
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre and are quality assured by the SQA. Achievement
of Units is recorded on the learner's qualifications certificate
• The SQA has provided examples of Unit assessments that teachers/lecturers can use as they are, or
adapt to suit the needs of their learners
• The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment (70 marks) and a Question Paper (exam for 30
marks) which is in two sections (see below). These are marked externally by the SQA
• Higher Administration and IT is graded from A to D or as No Award.

Question Paper:

• Section 1: A scenario is described, followed by questions (10 marks)
• Section 2: Questions cover the coursework (20 marks)

 

National 5 Accounting

Higher Accounting

Learners will be able to:
• understand the significant function that accounting performs in industry and society
• develop accuracy in the preparation, presentation, interpretation and analysis of relatively complex
accounting information, and apply a systematic approach to solving financial problems
• apply relatively complex accounting concepts and techniques in the preparation of financial
information
• develop an understanding of a range of sources of finance available to organisations, and of the
circumstances in which these sources might be used
• apply the use of information technology in relatively complex accounting tasks

Opportunities for Learners

Learners will be able to:
• understand, and make use of, financial information so that they can prepare accounting statements
and analyse, interpret and report on an organisation’s financial performance
• describe, record, present, interpret and analyse complex financial information
• compare and contrast accounting information to draw valid conclusions

Assessment
• To gain Higher Accounting, learners must pass the three Units and the Course Assessment
(Assignment and Question Paper for 150 marks)
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre and are quality assured by the SQA.
Achievement of Units is recorded on the learner's qualifications certificate
• The SQA has provided examples of Unit assessments that teachers/lecturers can use as they are, or
adapt to suit the needs of their learners
• The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment (50 marks) and a Question Paper (exam for 100
marks) which is in two sections (see below). Evidence from the Assignment and the Question Paper
will be marked externally by the SQA
• Higher Accounting is graded from A to D or as No Award.

Question Paper:

Section 1: One mandatory question (40 marks)
Section 2: Three mandatory questions (60 marks)

National Progression Award – Business and IT

 

Senior Phase CDT

National 3 Practical Craft Skills

National 4 and 5 Practical Woodwork

What skills will my child develop?
• skills in woodworking techniques for tasks with some complex features using a range of woodworking tools, equipment and materials safely and correctly
• reading and interpreting drawings and diagrams
• measuring and marking out timber sections and sheet materials
• cutting and shaping tasks with some complex features
• practical creativity in the context of woodworking tasks with some complex features
• following given stages to take a practical problem-solving approach to woodworking tasks
• awareness of safe working practices in a workshop environment
• knowledge and understanding of the properties and uses of a range of woodworking materials
• knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context

Assessment

To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
• Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could be presented in a variety of ways such as completed tasks, records of the task development (blogs, logs, diaries). A portfolio of work (including a learner checklist) may be prepared
• The Course Assessment consists of a Practical Activity which requires learners to produce a finished product in wood, with working drawings, a record of progress and an evaluation of the project. This will be marked by the centre in accordance with SQA guidelines and will be graded A to D.

National 4 and 5 Practical Metalwork

What skills will my child develop?
• a range of metalworking hand tool skills on tasks with some complex features
• the ability to use a range of metalworking tools, equipment and materials
• reading and interpreting drawings and diagrams in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• skills in measuring and marking out metal sections and sheet materials
• cutting and forming skills
• creativity with familiar metalworking tasks with some complex features
• a problem-solving approach to metalworking tasks
• knowledge and understanding of safe working practices in a workshop
• knowledge of the properties and uses of a range of common metals and metalworking materials
• knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues in a practical metalworking context

Assessment

To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA
external quality assurance to meet national standards)
• Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could be presented in a variety of ways such as completed tasks, records of the task development (blogs, diaries). A portfolio of work (including a learner checklist) may be prepared
• The Course Assessment consists of a more challenging Practical Activity which requires learners to make a finished product in metal, completing a record of progress. This is assessed by the centre, in accordance with SQA guidance, and is graded A to D.

National 3 Design & Technology

National 4 and 5 Design & Manufacture

What skills will my child develop?

• Skills in the design and manufacturing of straightforward 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
• Knowledge and understanding of industrial designers and commercial production
• The ability to devise design and manufacturing solutions to straightforward and more complex practical problems • The ability to select and use a range of tools, equipment, software and materials
• The ability to use modelling and manufacturing techniques in 3 D
• The ability to communicate design proposals
• Creativity in an exciting and dynamic technological context
• The ability to evaluate and apply suggestions for improvement
• The ability to read drawings and diagrams
• Planning, analysing and evaluation skills

Assessment

To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment

The course will be assessed through a question paper (exam) and two assignments, which will be marked by SQA and graded A to D.

The question paper is worth 80 marks and makes up 44% of the total assessment mark. Learners answer questions on the topics of design, workshop-based manufacture and commercial manufacture.

The two assignments are linked and make up 56% of the total assessment mark. The design assignment is worth 55 marks and requires learners to develop a proposed design in response to a set brief. For the practical assignment, learners manufacture their proposed product. The practical assignment is worth 45 marks.

Higher Design & Manufacture

Skills
Learners will be able to:
• devise, plan and develop practical design solutions
• develop practical skills in the planning and development of models and prototypes
• evaluate and research
• understand manufacturing processes and materials
• understand the impact of design and manufacturing technologies on our environment and society
• develop research skills
• develop idea generation techniques
• read drawings and diagrams
• communicate design ideas and practical details

Opportunities for Learners

Learners will be able to:
• devise, plan and develop practical solutions to design opportunities
• consider the various factors that impact on a product’s design
• consider the life cycle of a product from its inception through design, manufacture, and use, including
its disposal and/or re-use — cradle-to-cradle
• explore design alternatives and to consider the manufacturing practicalities that these design alternatives bring to light
• apply practical skills and an understanding of the properties and uses of materials and manufacturing
processes

Assessment
• To gain Higher Design and Manufacture, learners must pass the two Units and the Course Assessment
(Assignment and Question Paper for 140 marks)
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre and are quality assured by the SQA.
Achievement of Units is recorded on the learner's qualifications certificate
• The SQA has provided examples of Unit assessments that teachers/lecturers can use as they are, or
adapt to suit the needs of their learners
• The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment (70 marks) and a Question Paper (exam for 70
marks) which is in two sections (see below). The Assignment is marked internally and the Question
Paper is marked externally by the SQA
• Higher Design and Manufacture is graded from A to D or as No Award.

Question Paper

Section 1: Design process, factors, materials, production

Section 2: Questions on the whole course

Advanced Higher Design & Manufacture

 

National 4 and 5 Graphic Communication

What skills will my child develop?

• Broader and deeper skills in 2D and 3D graphic communication techniques, including the use of equipment, materials and software in familiar and in unfamiliar contexts
• Knowledge and understanding of graphic communication standards, protocols and conventions in unfamiliar contexts
• An understanding of the impact of graphic communication technologies on our environment and society
• An awareness of graphic communication as an international language
• The ability to read, interpret and create graphic communication
• To develop solutions to graphics tasks with some complex features
• Planning, organising, critical thinking, evaluating and decision-making
• Basic knowledge of computer-aided graphics techniques and practice
• Knowledge of colour, illustration and presentation techniques
• Describe, respond to and analyse the work of others

Assessment

To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment

The course will be assessed through a question paper (exam) and an assignment, which will be marked by SQA and graded A to D.

The question paper is worth 80 marks and makes up 67% of the total assessment mark. It includes both short and extended response questions in relation to topics studied throughout the course. Learners can draw sketches to support their responses but it is not a requirement.

The assignment is worth 40 marks and makes up 33% of the total assessment mark. It requires learners to carry out a series of graphic design tasks and has three areas covering preliminary, production and promotional graphics.

Higher Graphic Communication

Skills

Learners will be able to:

• develop skills in graphic communication techniques, including the use of equipment, graphics materials and software
• demonstrate creativity in the production of graphic communications to produce visual impact in meeting a specified purpose
• evaluate the effectiveness of graphics in communicating and meeting their purpose
• develop an understanding of graphic communication standards protocols and conventions, where these apply
• develop an understanding of the impact of graphic communication technologies on our environment and society
• Opportunities for Learners
• Learners will be able to:
• enjoy practical and experiential learning opportunities
• initiate, develop and communicate often complex ideas graphically and with clarity
• interpret often complex graphic communications initiated by others
• select and use appropriate graphic communication equipment with skill and confidence
• employ software and materials effectively in tasks
• apply knowledge and understanding of graphic communication standards and protocols, where these apply

Assessment

• The course will be assessed through a question paper (exam) and an assignment, which will be marked by SQA and graded A to D.
• The question paper makes up 64% of the total assessment mark. Marks are awarded for areas including: computer-aided design techniques, desktop-publishing features, design elements and principles.
• The assignment makes up 36% of the total assessment mark. Learners apply graphic communication skills and knowledge to a set problem or situation. It has three areas covering preliminary, production and promotional graphics.

Question Paper

It has one section, allowing for a variety of response types across the paper. 

Advanced Higher Graphic Communication

National Progression Award – Jewellery Basic Techniques (1 and 2)

 

Career Pathways

This is a very important time for our pupils and it is important that as much advice as possible is available from staff, Skills Development Scotland and parents/carers. This will enable our senior pupils to make informed decisions regarding their education and course choices. For pupils returning in S5 and S6 it is vital that they consider the commitment to study which is required in the senior school. Our curriculum is structured to allow for a wide variety of courses and levels of study.

 

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Celebrating Success

Remote Learning - Links

Remote Learning - Links

Bell Baxter Resources

 Twitter

Follow the Technologies twitter account for all the latest information on what is happening in and around the school related to the Technoolgies Faculty. Here we will post updates to events, projects and achievements by all pupils and staff.  A fun way to stay up to date with everything that is happening. Use the link or

 Faculty Twitter: @BBHS_Tech

 

Bell Baxter YouTube

Join us for updates on everything that is happening around the school. From pupil productions to updates on events and activities, we hope to keep you updated as best we can. You'll also find helpful guides and tutorials for pupils and adults on how to use programmes such as Glow, Teams and much more. 

 

External Resources

BBC Bytesize

What is Bitesize?

BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource designed to help with learning, revision and homework! It provides support for learners aged 5 to 16+ across a wide range of school subjects. It also supports children and young people’s wellbeing and career choices. It is suitable for all ages and subjects across the curriculum.

National Parent Forum of Scotland

The Forum works in partnership with national and local government and other organisations involved in education and child wellbeing issues to ensure that parents play a full and equal role in education. The overall aim is to help every child to maximise their potential through their school life. The Forum also offers the handy Nationals in a Nutshell documents, which break down courses into understandable facts and information.

 

Apps

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is how teachers will communicate with pupils outwith of school. Each teacher will set up their classes through Teams and issue homework, handouts, and assignments in this manner. Teams is available as an app on most devices, as well as through Glow. We recommend that pupils use the app to access their work.

 

Click on this link to access information on how to MANAGE TEAMS.. 

Click on this link to access information on how to CHECK NOTEBOOK FOR WORK.

Click on this link to access information on how to HAND IN WORK WITH ASSIGNMENTS.

 

Office Lens

Office Lens is a handy app hat turns your smart device into a scanner. This can be used for scanning work from the whiteboard in school or any assignments completed at home. It is part of the Microsoft suite so it has Teams integration, making submitting work easier. It is also helpful for maintaining and organising notes from jotters and loose leaf paper.