Business and ICT Department
The ICT department incorporates ICT, Business and Computing. The aim is to give pupils a sound understanding in the concepts of ICT, Computing and Business, with skills being developed for lifelong learning. The skills learnt should set them up for the 21st century ranging from basic organisation, business structures and types to video editing and animation.
S1 & 2
The S1 and 2 year groups are seen once a week, they experience a wide range of topics and the course is designed to embed skills acquired from primary school and develop them further. ICT skills are seen as essential for achieving across the school and for lifelong learning as we move into a more ICT challenging society.
The topics covered in S1 and 2 are:
File organisation
Search techniques
General PowerPoint and Microsoft Office applications
Video editing
Graphic creation and manipulation
Stopframe and Keyframe Animation
Website creation
Computer Games Development
Desktop publishing
S3 Course Choices
The S3 courses offered are designed to enhance and build on learning from S1 and 2 and to develop a good understanding of basic concepts that can be used in the senior years for certificated classes while also teaching transferable skills for life.
Computing Science & Game Development (S3)
ICT and computers are integral to the modern economy of Scotland. Scotland hosts some of the most successful game development and computer skilled companies in the world such as Rockstar North (Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings), Hunted Cow Studios in Elgin, ATOS in Forres and Cap Gemini in Inverness. Skills in this area are essential for lifelong learning and employers are constantly on the lookout for employees.
A career in ICT, Computer Science or Computer Games Development is more varied than most people recognise and this course provides pupils with practical skills of the kind that are highly valued by employers, ranging from project management to programming skills.
Business and ICT (S3)
There can be few careers where knowledge of Business and IT would not be useful. Michelle Mone, Duncan Bannatyne, Anita Roddick (founder of the Body Shop) and Beyonce Knowles all have some business knowledge, not forgetting Mark Zuckerberg (creator of Facebook) and of course Lord Sugar.
A career in business is more varied than most people recognise and this course will provide pupils with practical skills of the kind that are highly valued by employers. Many business sectors, including retail, hospitality, IT, manufacturing, education and not-for-profit businesses all need people with strong business acumen.
Senior Years
A variety of courses are offered in the senior years all leading to SQA recognised qualifications. Pupils studying Nat 3, 4 or 5 will attend 4 classes per week, while pupils studying Higher will attend the department 5 hours per week. It is recommended that each certificated course requires at least 3 hours of additional study at home - doing homework set by the department, creating summary notes or revising with past papers.
Senior Years (S4 S5 S6)
Business Education
NQ Business Management - a comprehensive course in the management of business covering topics such as Decision-Making, Finance, Marketing, IT in Business and Operations.
Levels Offered
National 4 Business Internal Assessment
National 5 Business Management 40% Coursework 60% Final Exam (1hr 30)
Higher Business Management 40% Coursework 60% Final Exam (2hr 15)
Administration and IT
Administration – The course looks at the modern workplace and techniques that are essential for working. From using a range of Office Applications such a Word Processing to make professional documents, Spreadsheets and Databases to storage and manage information, electronic Calendars and desktop publishing for posters, leaflets and other documents. Other aspects covered are online legislation, travel requirements and event organisation and management.
Levels Offered
National 3 Administration and IT Internal Assessment
National 4 Administration and IT Internal Assessment
National 5 Administration and IT 100% Coursework assessed by the SQA
Computing Science
Computing Science offers a balanced look at computer science with hardware, software and Information Systems (database development and websites). It is focused on practical tasks underpinned by theory. The course requires a good level of logic and exposure to a variety of developing environments.
Levels Offered:
National 4 Computer Science Internal Assessment
National 5 Computer Science 40% Coursework 60% Final Exam (1hr 30)
Higher Computer Science 40% Coursework 60% Final Exam (2hrs)
NPA level 4 and 5 - Computer Games Development
A practical course that breaks computer games down to their fundamental elements. The pupils need to demonstrate skills in all areas from story and character development, graphic manipulation and programming of games. The course is a pass/fail, and develops a variety of skills from organisation and time planning to evaluating work once complete.
Course is 100% assessed on Coursework
NPA level 5 Website Design
A practical course that allows the pupil to experiment with their creativity and programming skills as a variety of web sites and assets for sites are created. The course offers a variety of skills from organisation and time planning to evaluating work once complete. It is run as if the pupils are a web developer working for a client.
Course is 100% assessed on Coursework
Help with Revision:
Pupils are encouraged to drop into the department any lunchtime if help is required with their work. As exams draw closer twilight revision classes are usually offered as well.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
Occasionally there is the opportunity for students to visit local businesses.
Homework Policy
S1-2
1 piece of homework per topic (around 6-8 weeks)
Printed hand out and available online
Marked and recorded into spreadsheet as a mark and if return
S3
1-2 pieces of homework per topic
Printed out and available online
Completion of practical tasks for subjects that require it
S4/S5/S6
A combination of reading, note taking and summary notes/questions as weekly tasks
Available online
Exam style questions to consolidate knowledge
Completion of practical tasks for subjects that require it