Technical Education
The department has three members of staff; Head of Department Mr Gordon Cosgrove, Teacher Mr John Gilmour and Technician Mr Jimmy Girvan.
The department teaches students at all levels in the school from S1 to S6. In S1-S2 pupils are taught the knowledge, understanding and the skills required to design and make items in a variety of resistant materials. This course is delivered within the context of the 5-14 Environmental Studies (Technology) framework.
In S3-S4 pupils are, at present, offered Standard Grade Craft and Design, while at S5-S6 the department offers Higher and Intermediate 2 Product Design. Practical Craft Skills is also offered at Intermediate 1 and 2 levels for pupils who prefer a more practical (and less design based) option.
In addition to the formal courses, the department offers a very popular lunchtime club which is affiliated to the Young Engineers Club network. This enables pupils to participate in a variety of activities and competitions which take place throughout the year.
The department also undertakes the responsibility of running the Young Enterprise Scotland Course for S5 pupils. This gives young people the opportunity to set up and run their own small business within the school.
We have recently taken delivery of the latest state-of-the-art Computer Aided Manufacturing facility, the versatility of which allows pupils in all of our courses to utilise this technology to produce models, and high quality products.