Aims and Philosophy
- To develop pupils’ ability to solve problems by engaging in the research, design, implementation and evaluation aspects of technological activities.
- To develop pupils’ understanding of the importance of design and technology in modern society.
- To encourage pupils to apply knowledge and skills by thinking and acting confidently, imaginatively, creatively and with sensitivity.
- To develop the intellectual capacity and practical skills of pupils through the process of designing and practical applications
- To promote collaborative skills.
- To support pupils to become confident, proficient and independent learners in the use of ICT.
- To provide pupils with the opportunity to achieve high levels of competence in subjects within the Craft Design and Technology department which are relevant to today’s workplace and wider applications.
S1
Common course comprising of the following units of study:
Graphic Communication, Design and Manufacture relating to Plastics, Woodwork & metalwork.
S2
Common course comprising of the following units of study:
Engineering Science – learning about Frame Structures, calculating moments at a pivot, building low tech electronic circuits and calculating values using ohms law.
Design and Manufacture – designing and manufacturing a project in wood and in metal.
Graphic Communication – learning manual drawing techniques through producing orthographic views, pictorial views and rendered images as well as manipulating a computer aided drawing program to produce 3D models which can convert them into 2D orthographic drawings.
S2
Enrichment course
An optional course which can be chosen by pupils who are interested in environmental issues coupled with a practical activity. Pupils will recycle everyday objects / products etc. and manufacture / produce artifacts from these.
S3/4
All S3 will receive a rounded education known as a Broad General Education during which pupils undertake a number of projects which expose them to challenges and experiences designed to meet the Curriculum for excellence attainments up to and including level 4. A guide for parents can be found on the following link.
Broad General Education in the Secondary School – A Guide for Parents and Carers – PDF (1.6 MB)
Pupils will also develop their skills and lay down firm foundations for learning towards National Qualifications in S4.
The following subjects are taught in the CDT department.
National 4 / 5 Design and Manufacture
National 4 / 5 Graphic Communication
National 4 / 5 Engineering Science
National 4 / 5 Practical Woodworking
Further information about National Qualifications in all of the above courses can be found by following this link.
S5 / S6
Nat 5 and Higher Design and Manufacture
This Course will help develop creative, flexible learners who are able to work autonomously, to achieve good quality, feasible proposals or outcomes through active experiences of product design. At its heart is creativity. The Course develops the ability to apply skills and knowledge in different situations — attributes which are becoming more and more valuable to individuals and organisations.
Units of study:
Unit 1 Design
Unit 2 Materials and Manufacture
Course award is 50% design assignment and 50% written examination.
Nat 5 Woodworking Skills
This course is intended for those who wish to consider a career in the construction industry or who would like to gain further practical experience and hand skills.
This course comprises three mandatory units:
Unit 1 – Carcass construction
Unit 2 – Flat frame Construction
Unit 3 – Machining and finishing.
Overall Assessment based on a Final Assignment
Nat 5 / Higher Graphic Communication
This course provides opportunities for learners to initiate and develop their own ideas graphically. It allows them to develop skills in reading and interpreting graphics produced by others. Learners will continue to develop graphic awareness in often complex graphic situations thus expanding their visual literacy.
Units of study:
Unit 1, 2D Graphic Communication
Unit 2, 3D Graphic Communication
Course award is based on 50% Assignment and 50% written exam.
Advanced Higher Graphic Communication
A one year course that builds on the Higher course. Graphic Communication study at this level will bring together aspects of technology and engineering, design, artistic endeavour, creativity, language and communication, and will therefore reflect these everyday activities as they interact in our world.
Units of Study:
Computer-Aided 3D Modelling – Visualization and Presentation
Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation.
Technical Graphics
Nat 5 / Higher Engineering Science
Units of study:
Unit 1 Engineering contexts and challenges
Unit 2, Electronics and control
Unit 3 Mechanisms and structures
Course award is question paper worth 90marks and an assignment worth 60 marks.
Total 150 marks
Minority time CDT
This is a non-certificate class provided for S5/6 where pupils are offered the opportunity to be involved in a variety of Technological type activities. In previous sessions pupils have been involved in designing and constructing gravity buggies, using scrap metal supplied from the local council recycling centre. Old bikes, bed frames, push chairs etc have all been employed in the construction of these buggies.