Design and Technology
Dealbhadh & Teicneolas
The Technology Department has an extremely successful track record in the delivery of popular courses to pupils at all stages of the school. The courses we offer have been carefully planned to give the pupils as much opportunity for creativity as possible, as well as giving them the opportunity to develop their skills base. The department has two subject areas which pupils can opt for from S3 onwards, which are Graphic Communication and Design and Manufacture. The subjects can both progress all the way through to Advanced Higher in S6.
S1-S2: Pupils in S1 and S2 undertake our Design and Manufacture course. This course involves developing the pupils' graphics and designing skills, and introduces them to wood, metal and plastics projects in our workshops. Also included in the course is an element of Technology, where we look into Alternative Energy. The Design and Manufacture course gives pupils a good overview of what the courses in S3 onwards will specialise in.
S3: In S3 pupils will have 3 options: Design and Craft Skills, Graphic Design and/or Practical Craft Skills
Design and Craft Skills
In this course the pupils will develop their designing and practical workshop skills, in a variety of materials - mainly wood and metal, with some plastics.
Graphic Design
In this course pupils will develop their graphic skills, mainly using the 18 computer workstations in the Graphics room. They will learn about and use Desktop Publishing software for a variety of enterprise activities, and also Computer Aided Drawing skills.
Practical Craft Skills
In this course the pupils concentrate on developing their woodworking skills, with emphasis placed on accuracy in following instructions and drawings.
S4-6
S4 National Course - Design and Manufacture
In this course pupils develop their designing skills, and undertake more ambitious projects in wood, metal and plastic to develop their practical skills. The projects could include - casting aluminium; wooden tables etc.
S4 National Course - Graphic Communication
In this course pupils develop their graphic skills both in manual techniques and also in Computer Aided Drawing (CAD). We have a well-equipped CAD room with 18 modern work stations with scanning and printing facilities.
S5-6 Higher Courses
The Technology department offers the following courses for pupils in S5/6
Product Design
Graphic Communication
Practical Craft Skills
Product Design
This is a course where pupils develop designing skills. Practical skills have a reduced emphasis although pupils do have to design and make model products. Future careers opportunities include Product Design, Interior Design, Architecture, Jewellery, Technician, Skilled Manual Work, Crafts.
Graphic Communication - This course continues the development of freehand and formal drawing techniques, with increasing emphasis on the use of CAD. Future career opportunities include: Architecture, Interior Design, and Graphic Design, Advertising, CAD operator, Animation, Virtual Reality etc.
Practical Craft Skills - This woodworking course gives pupils a knowledge and experience of a wide range of woodworking skills, through 5 projects built over the year. Future career opportunities include: Carpentry, Joinery, Building Trades, Furniture Design, Technician etc.
Boatbuilding
Open to S6 pupls only, this exciting course enables up to 6 students to learn traditional wooden boatbuilding skills. Over the year they will be involved in small repairs, increasing in complexity until they build a complete new boat. See the Am Bata website for more information, www.am-bata.org. This course is taught by Mark Stockl, a professional boat-builder based in Ullapool. Students attend all day Thursday and Friday, so must be willing to catch up for missed classes for other subjects.