Term 3

Digital Literacy

Topic

Research Skills

Use of Adobe

Sports Project

Regular recapping and updating of internet safety knowledge

Using Teams for Microsoft Applications

Focusing on:

Word Processing and keyboarding skills

File Management

Proof reading 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Discuss the use of any social media, email and web sites the pupils visit and their reliability encouraging responsible usage.

       Regular conversation relate to their learning to encourage pupils to discuss and explain what they have learned.

Information / discussion when keyboarding is used in your daily/work life and how important accuracy is for pupils longterm

Useful external resources

 Typingclub.com (pupils can access this from their Teams page) 

Key Deadlines

There are no key assessments as we are working on skills in Digital Literacy to use across the school.

Word Processing skills will be tested throughout the term with accuracy being the key feature and keyboarding using the correct fingers.

Term 1

Digital Literacy

Topic

Log on to Aberdeenshire and Glow school systems

Internet Safety

Microsoft Applications

Teams

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Discuss the use of any social media, email and web sites the pupils visit and their reliability encouraging responsible usage.

       Regular conversation relate to their learning to encourage pupils to discuss and explain what they have learned

Key Deadlines

Assessment: Week commencing 29 September but may be moved forward to ensure full learning has taken place.

Database assessment before October holiday

Internet Safety assessment before October holiday

Computing Science

Topic

Sequencing

Computer Systems

1.      Types of computers.

2.      Input/output devices.

3.      Data representation, units of storage.

4.      Backing storage & capacity.

How Can Help Be Given at Home

Any lessons missed can be accessed via Google classroom. You could read the slides and attempt the tasks.

Useful external resources

All the lesson slides are available on Google Classroom.

Support Notes will be available after all topic material has been covered in class.

Key Deadlines

End of Topic Assessment for Computer Systems.

Week 8: 6th October – 10th October.

Term 3

Topic

Scots / Burns Poetry Writing

Introduction to Shakespeare

Close Reading skills

Reading School Personal Reading / Accelerated Reader tasks 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

• Support Reading School by asking young person to read for an additional 10 minutes every day.

• Check google classroom for unfinished tasks of classwork.

Useful external resources

https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-lists/great-books-for-children-starting-secondary-school

Key Deadlines

Creative Writing

Presentation

Class Project

Teacher led deadlines

Burns Federation Writing run by Mr McCabe

Avon Cup – March

Doric Writing Competition – March 31st 

Term 2

Topic 

• • A Christmas Carol – novel

  • Critical Essay / Listening / Talk

  • Close Reading skills

  • Reading School Personal Reading / Accelerated Reader tasks 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

• Support Reading School by asking young person to read for an additional 10 minutes every day.

• Check google classroom for unfinished tasks of classwork.

Useful external resources

https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-lists/great-books-for-children-starting-secondary-school

Key Deadlines

December – complete critical essay and listening assessment 

Term 1

Topic Aug-Oct

• Section taken from the Novel “Boy” By Roald Dahl.

• Personal Reflective Writing

• Close Reading skills

• Reading School Personal Reading / Accelerated Reader tasks

How Can Help Be Given At Home

• Support Reading School by asking young person to read for an additional 10 minutes every day.

• Check google classroom for unfinished tasks of classwork.

• Useful external resources

https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-lists/great-books-for-children-starting-secondary-school

Key Deadlines

• Close Reading – August

• Personal creative writing – September

Term 3

Music

Topic

Performing

·         Bass Guitar and Drumkit

Learners will have the opportunity to perform music individually and as part of a group demonstrating accuracy within each performance. Learners will also be introduced to ways in which to read music including bass clef, TAB notation and drumkit notation. Through performance directions, include dynamic markings, learners will explore mood and character within a piece of music.

Composition

·         Rondo Composition

Learners will have the opportunity to create a group composition which focuses on their understanding of structure and form. Ideas will be captured through the creation of a performance plan.

Understanding Music

·         Form and Structure, Timbre, Dynamics, Texture and Tempo

Learners will consider the importance of the musical elements and how they impact upon our understanding of music and the ability to perform. Learners will also be encouraged to use music vocabulary to regularly reflect upon their strengths and areas for improvement.

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Learners are encouraged at all stages, levels and abilities to enjoy performing at home should they have access to any instruments. This will always be supported by class teachers.

Useful external resources

Timbre and Texture

What are timbre and texture? - BBC Bitesize

Tempo and Dynamics

Explore dynamics and tempo in music - BBC Bitesize

Structure and Form

Structure and form in music - BBC Bitesize 

Key Deadlines

Bass Guitar/Drumkit Assessment: Week Beginning Monday 26th January 2026

Bass Guitar/Drumkit Assessment: Week Beginning Monday 2nd March 2026

Art and Design

Topic

Ice cream packaging

Learners will begin work in Design, specifically graphic design. Pupils will be asked to design a label and take away bag for an Ice cream/ sweet shop.

 Skills

Pupils will experience key principles of design. Pupils will develop their creativity through mood boards and generating multiple designs in response to a design brief. 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Learners are encouraged at all stages, levels and abilities to pursue drawing/painting/designing at home should they have access to any materials or resources. This will always be supported by class teachers.

Useful external resources

How to spark creativity - BBC Bitesize

 National 5 Art and Design - BBC Bitesize 

Key Deadlines

  No formal assessments this term

Term 1

Music

Topic

Performing

·         Voice and Tuned Percussion

Learners will have the opportunity to perform music individually and as part of a group demonstrating accuracy within each performance. Learners will also be introduced to ways in which to read music including treble clef notation. Through performance directions, include dynamic markings, learners will explore mood and character within a piece of music.

Understanding Music

·         Pitch

Learners will consider the importance of the musical elements and how they impact upon our understanding of music and the ability to perform. Learners will also be encouraged to use music vocabulary to regularly reflect upon their strengths and areas for improvement.

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Learners are encouraged at all stages, levels and abilities to enjoy performing at home should they have access to any instruments. This will always be supported by class teachers.

Useful external resources

Voice

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zkbnb7h#z8gsg2p

Pitch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bv-JiFnoJ

How melody and pitch work in music? - BBC Bitesize

Key Deadlines

Voice Assessment: Tuesday 19th August 2025 – Friday 29th August 2025

Tuned Percussion Assessment: Monday 8th September 2025 – Friday 26th September 2025

We Got Rhythm Assessment: Week Beginning Monday 29th September 2025

Art and Design

Topic

Leonardo Da Vinci

Learners will develop their drawing skills by exploring the life and work of renowned artist and inventor Leonardo Da Vinci.

Skills

Observational drawing, tonal and coloured pencil studies.

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Learners are encouraged at all stages, levels and abilities to pursue drawing/painting/designing at home should they have access to any materials or resources. This will always be supported by class teachers.

Useful external resources

Leonardo Da Vinci:

 The Last Supper Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKyYPSpiC9g

The Mona Lisa Explained:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElWG0_kjy_Y

Key Deadlines

Stippling Bug (Observational Drawing) Assessment:

End of Term 1

Term 3

Physical Education

Topic

Volleyball

SAL:  Decision Making

I can……….

1.     Key Skills: Execute the key skills in Volleyball with precision and control during drills and games.

2.     Positions: Position myself to cover the court and allow my team to use 3 touches.

3.     Movement skills: Track the ball and use my movement skills to reach it.

4.     Decision Making: Select and apply the appropriate skill (volley, dig) depending on height of the ball.

5.     Rules and Etiquette: Follow the correct rules of Volleyball, displaying good etiquette and sportsmanship throughout whilst keeping the score.

Table Tennis

SAL: Balance and Control

I can……….

1.      Key Skills: Execute the key skills in table tennis with accuracy during drills and games.

2.      Shot Selection: Identify opportunities to play attacking and defensive shots in a rally.

3.      Movement skills: Use my movement skills effectively to ensure I am in the correct position to return the ball.

4.      Balance and Control: Use the correct grip and stance to ensure that I can keep the ball on the table.

5.      Rules and Etiquette: Follow the correct rules in both singles and doubles, displaying good etiquette and sportsmanship throughout whilst keeping the score.

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Encourage pupils to attend extra-curricular activities.

Speak to pupils about the activities they’re working on in class and how they’re performing in relation to the 5 ‘I can’ assessment areas outlined above.

Useful external resources

Watch live sport on TV or YouTube to develop understanding of game.

Key Deadlines

Pupil Self Evaluation Form to be completed in class last 2 weeks of term. 

Home Economics

Topic

Exploring Home Economics

I can………

1.    Identify and explain how to work safely and hygienically and identify equipment and its use

2.    Make 6 even sized cakes

3.    Explain the difference between boiling and simmering

4.    Control the hob temperature to achieve boiling and simmering

5.    Use a measuring jug to accurately measure the required amount of a liquid

6.      Use the correct amount of liquid to create a soft, but not sticky, dough

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Encourage pupils to wash-up at home following the washing-up routine (see Google Classroom).

Involve pupils in food preparation at home, when possible – e.g.  peeling, slicing, grating, rubbing in

Useful external resources

Watch cookery programmes on TV to see kitchen organisation in practice.

Key Deadlines

Pupils will sit a written end of unit assessment in term 3 

Term 2

Physical Education

Topic

Sports Acro

SAL: Kinaesthetic Awareness

I can……….

1. Key Skills: execute the key skills in rugby with precision and control during drills and games.

2. Positions: use my skills to effectively attack and defend.

3. Movement Skills: use my movement skills effectively when in/ out of possession during drills and games.

4. Kinaesthetic Awareness: scan the area around me and move accordingly to remain onside.

5. Rules & Etiquette: follow the correct rules of rugby, displaying good etiquette and sportsmanship throughout whilst keeping the score.

Cross Country

SAL: Motivation

I can……….

1.     Pacing: pace my runs so that I am able to maintain speed across the Cross Country course

2.   Terrain: adapt my running pattern to suit the different types of terrain I encounter.

3.   Running Technique: consider how I am running and if I can make any improvements to my running action.

4.   Motivation: m show motivation by working towards individualised goals/targets

5. Rules & Etiquette: follow the correct rules of Cross Country, displaying good etiquette and sportsmanship throughout. 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Encourage pupils to attend extra-curricular activities.

Speak to pupils about the activities they’re working on in class and how they’re performing in relation to the 5 ‘I can’ assessment areas outlined above.

Useful external resources

Watch live sport on TV or YouTube to develop understanding of game.

Key Deadlines

Pupil Self Evaluation Form to be completed in class last 2 weeks of term. 

Home Economics

Topic

Exploring Home Economics

I can………

1. Confidently and independently use the rubbing-in method when following a recipe to create a mixture that resembles breadcrumbs

2. Portion food equally to make even sized portions of food

3. Securely sew 2 pieces fabric together using the running stitch and blanket stitch

4. Thread a needle, tie a knot at the end of thread and secure my thread at the end with a triple stitch

5. Sew small, even sized stitches using the running stitch and blanket stitch to securely sew 2 pieces of fabric together

6. Sew at least 3 decorations securely and neatly onto a piece of fabric 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Encourage pupils to wash-up at home following the washing-up routine (see Google Classroom).

Involve pupils in food preparation at home, when possible – e.g.  peeling, slicing, grating, rubbing in

Useful external resources

Watch cookery programmes on TV to see kitchen organisation in practice.

Term 1

Physical Education

Topic

Touch Rugby

SAL: Kinaesthetic Awareness

I can……….

1. Key Skills: execute the key skills in rugby with precision and control during drills and games.

2. Positions: use my skills to effectively attack and defend.

3. Movement Skills: use my movement skills effectively when in/ out of possession during drills and games.

4. Kinaesthetic Awareness: scan the area around me and move accordingly to remain onside.

5. Rules & Etiquette: follow the correct rules of rugby, displaying good etiquette and sportsmanship throughout whilst keeping the score.

Netball

SAL: Communication

I can……….

1. Key Skills: execute the key skills in netball with precision and control during drills and games.

2. Positions: use my skills to effectively play a range of different positions in netball.

3. Movement Skills: use my movement skills effectively when in/ out of possession during drills and games.

4. Communication: communicate clearly with my teammates using verbal and non verbal actions.

5. Rules & Etiquette: follow the correct rules of netball, displaying good etiquette and sportsmanship throughout whilst keeping the score.

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Encourage pupils to attend extra-curricular activities.

Speak to pupils about the activities they’re working on in class and how they’re performing in relation to the 5 ‘I can’ assessment areas outlined above.

Useful external resources

Watch live sport on TV or YouTube to develop understanding of game.

Key Deadlines

Pupil Self Evaluation Form to be completed in class last 2 weeks of term. 

Home Economics

Topic

Exploring Home Economics

I can………

1. Use the claw and the bridge to prepare foods safely and with precision

2. Use a peeler and grater confidently and safely

3. Prepare foods hygienically and clean up following the washing-up routine

4. Work effectively with my partner

5. Identify hazards and risks and apply these when working in the H.E. class.

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Encourage pupils to wash-up at home following the washing-up routine (see Google Classroom).

Involve pupils in food preparation at home, when possible – e.g.  peeling, slicing, grating.

Useful external resources

Watch cookery programmes on TV to see kitchen organisation in practice.

Key Deadlines

Pupils first ‘practical’ lesson is during w/b 15th September. All pupils should bring their own apron and a container to take food home in when cooking.

Term 3

Topic

Number 1

Fractions 1

Time 1

Percentages 1

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Reviewing work completed in jotters, and lessons shared on google classroom.

Support with BGE Pupil Learning Log pre/post assessment checklists on google classroom.

Useful external resources

The pupil can find extra help with this topic using the following external links:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6vg9j6

https://corbettmaths.com/contents/

Key Deadlines

End of topic Assessments for for Algebra 1, Multiples & Factors, and Powers & Primes. 

Class teachers will give at least 7 days notice for any assessment, and encourage pupils to complete pre assessment checklist on google classroom.

Term 2

Topic

Powers & Primes

Angles

Number 1

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Reviewing work completed in jotters, and lessons shared on google classroom.

Support with BGE Pupil Learning Log pre/post assessment checklists on google classroom.

Useful external resources

The pupil can find extra help with this topic using the following external links:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6vg9j6

https://corbettmaths.com/contents/

Key Deadlines

End of topic Assessments for Powers & Primes, Angles and Number 1

Class teachers will give at least 7 days notice for any assessment, and encourage pupils to complete pre assessment checklist on google classroom.

Term 1

Topic

S1 Transition Project

Algebra 1

Multiples & Factors

Powers & Primes

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Reviewing work completed in jotters, and lessons shared on google classroom.

Support with BGE Pupil Learning Log pre/post assessment checklists on google classroom.

Useful external resources

The pupil can find extra help with this topic using the following external links:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6vg9j6

https://corbettmaths.com/contents/

Key Deadlines

End of topic Assessments for Algebra 1, Multiples & Factors, and Powers & Primes.

Class teachers will give at least 7 days notice for any assessment, and encourage pupils to complete pre assessment checklist on google classroom.

Term 3

French

Topic:  Au collège 

Aim : to learn how to talk discuss your school in French.  At the end of this unit, we produce a booklet in French to send to our local primary schools with information about Mearns in it.  Our local primaries can then choose to do a reading exercise with these booklets. 

Vocab covered:                                                                                   

Skills:

-         Time                              

-         School subjects               

-         Clothes and colours 

-         Opinions                         

-         School activities                                    

Grammar:                                                                                                           

-         Regular verbs

-         Common irregular verbs

-         Possessives

-         Negatives

Booklet of information (in French!) about Mearns to send to P7s. 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Ask your child to go onto linguascope to practise their vocab. 

Useful external resources

www.linguascope.com (username and password provided to pupils)

Google classroom

Key Deadlines

Easter holidays

Term 2

French

Topic:  Là où j’habite

Aim 1: to learn how to describe your home area, write a short essay in French and learn it for a Writing assessment.

Aim 2: to research a French speaking country or city, produce a PowerPoint, poster or leaflet about this area in English and present it to the rest of the class

Vocab covered:                                                                                   

Skills:

-         How to describe where you live                            

-         Places of interest           

-         Adjectives to describe places                                          

Grammar:                                                                                                           

-         Comparatives

-         Impersonal expressions, e.g. on peut, il y a…

-         Negatives

-         Adjective agreements

Writing assessment at the end of the unit 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Ask your child practise writing their description of where they live.

Encourage your child to use Look, Cover, Write, Check technique to break the Writing down into small chunks to learn.

Useful external resources

www.linguascope.com (username and password provided to pupils)

Google classroom

Key Deadlines

Christmas holidays

Term 1

French

Topic:  The Band Project

Aim: to invent a member of a band, describe them in French, learn the description and present the band member, along with 2 or 3 others in a band, to the rest of the class… all in French.

Vocab covered:  

Skills:

• Basic introductions 

• Hair and eye descriptions  

• Likes and dislikes           

• Music

• Instruments

• Piercings and tattoos

• Personality

Grammar:

• Introduction to complete verbs

• Using subject pronouns other than je e.g., il / elle

• Negatives

• Adjective agreements

Speaking assessment at the end of the unit

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Ask your child read their description to you.

Encourage your child to listen to their recording (made by teacher).

Help them memorise their Speaking assessment.

Useful external resources

www.linguascope.com (username and password provided to pupils)

Google classroom

Key Deadlines

October holidays

Term 3

Topic

Islam – beliefs and practices

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Ask your young person what they are learning about – Allah, Mosques, Five Pillars

Useful external resources

Level 3  https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/znhjcqt

Level 1 and 2 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zpdtsbk

Key Deadlines

Self-Assessment last week in Feb – mosque design

Open book questions in April

Note – all S1 and S2 RME assessments are open book, to encourage strong note taking. 

Term 2

Topic

1.      Judaism – Synagogues

2.      Judaism – At home

3.      Judaism – Rites of Passage

How Can Help Be Given At Home

We will need:

1.      a box to be our synagogue. Shoebox size

2.      clean junk and recycling to put inside (egg boxes, card, yogurt pots, lids, paper, sticks)

Useful external resources

Level 3 https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zb3f2sg

Level 1 and 2

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zsdhtrd

Key Deadlines

Assessment will be the synagogue model. deadline set as class reach appropriate completion point.

Note – all S1 and S2 RME assessments are open book, to encourage strong note taking. 

Term 1

Topic

1.      Introducing Religion, Morals and Philosophy

2.      Judaism - Synagogues

How Can Help Be Given At Home

We will need:

1.      a box to be our synagogue. Shoebox size

2.      clean junk and recycling to put inside (egg boxes, card, yogurt pots, lids, paper, sticks)

Useful external resources

Level 3 https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zb3f2sg

Level 1 and 2

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zsdhtrd

Key Deadlines

Assessment will be the synagogue model. deadline set as class reach appropriate completion point.

Note – all S1 and S2 RME assessments are open book, to encourage strong note taking. 

Term 4

Topic

This term we will be continuing our rotation through the 3 Block 2 topics:  Systems for Survival, Our Material World 2 and Electricity.

Pupils will have covered all 3 by the summer break 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Speak to the young person about their learning.

Ask them to show you Google Classroom and ensure they are using these resources to consolidate learning.

Useful external resources

The pupil can find extra help with this topic using the following external links:

Google Classroom

BBC Bitesize

ClickView

Key Deadlines

Ongoing in-unit open-book assessments:

-          Mearns Scientific Method (experimental write up)

-          Assessed creative classroom pieces

-          Block 2 written assessment on 3 units – completed late June.

Term 3

Topic

This term we will be finishing our Physics topic on Energy.

Late in February we will begin our rotation through the 3 Block 2 topics:  Systems for Survival, Our Material World 2 and Electricity. 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Speak to the young person about their learning.

Ask them to show you Google Classroom and ensure they are using these resources to consolidate learning.

Useful external resources

The pupil can find extra help with this topic using the following external links:

Google Classroom

BBC Bitesize

ClickView

Key Deadlines

Block one Assessment – Mid February. Written test covering content from Body Works, Our Material World  and Energy.

Term 2

Topic

This term we will be covering our Chemistry Unit called Our Material World.  This deals with concepts around states of matter, gases, dissolving and separation of  mixtures.

Classes will also start the Physics unit on Energy – dealing with heat transfer and renewables.

Classes will also engage in wider skills-based science eg measuring, researching and investigating. 

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Speak to the young person about their learning.

Ask them to show you Google Classroom and ensure they are using these resources to consolidate learning.

Useful external resources

The pupil can find extra help with this topic using the following external links:

Google Classroom

BBC Bitesize

ClickView

Key Deadlines

Open Book Creative Piece – Mid unit

Investigation write-up – Mid unit

Term 1

Topic

This term we will be covering our Biology Unit dealing with concepts around Cells and Life.

Classes will also engage in wider skills-based science eg measuring, researching and investigating.

How Can Help Be Given At Home

Speak to the young person about their learning.

Ask them to show you Google Classroom and ensure they are using these resources to consolidate learning.

Useful external resources

The pupil can find extra help with this topic using the following external links:

Google Classroom

BBC Bitesize

ClickView

Key Deadlines

Open Book Creative Piece – Mid unit

Investigation write up – Mid unit

Term 3/4

History/Geography/Modern Studies

Topic

In S1 Social Subjects pupils complete a rota system where learners study History, Geography and Modern Studies.

This term sees all S1 pupils study Geography until March 6th. Pupils will then study Modern Studies from March 9th – June 5th.

In S1 Geography pupils have studied oceans and wild weather across the world.

In Modern Studies pupils learn about the rights of children and how they are different around the world. 

How Can Help Be Given at Home

Check homework deadlines and assessment dates on the relevant google classroom page. Your child will have been added to their Social Subject page.

Use the websites below to support your child in their learning of S1 Geography and Modern Studies.

Useful external resources

Geography

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z72q7yc

https://wmo.int/topics/extreme-weather

 Modern Studies

https://www.unicef.org.uk/what-we-do/un-convention-child-rights/

https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/children

Key Deadlines

Your child will complete a final assessment on S1 Geography between March 5th and 9th 2026.

Learners will also complete two assessment pieces in Modern Studies over the next 10 weeks. 

Term 1/2

History/Geography/Modern Studies

Topic

In S1 Social Subjects pupils complete a rota system where learners study History, Geography and Modern Studies.

This term sees all S1 pupils study History until 21/11/25. In History pupils study key events in Scottish History and learn about the impact of the Celts and Romans on Scotland/Britain. Learners also study the Wars of Independence between Scotland and England.

How Can Help Be Given at Home

Check homework deadlines and assessment dates on the relevant google classroom page. Your child will have been added to their Social Subject page.

Use the websites below to support your child in their learning of S1 History.

Useful external resources

https://www.digitscotland.com/who-were-the-celts/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z2dr4wx#zj89kty

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrbs2sg

Key Deadlines

Your child will complete a final assessment on S1 History between 10/11/25 – 21/11/25.

Learners will also complete two assessment pieces in History over the next 10 weeks.

Term 1&2

Topic

Technical – Broad General Education (BGE)

Over the course of the academic year pupils in S1 will rotate between a period of BGE Technical led by a Technical teacher and a period led by a teacher of Art & Design.

Depending on class rotation, some pupils will begin with the Ice Scraper Design & Make project and others will begin with the Chalk Board make project.

Ice Scraper Design & Make Project [Art Led]

Pupils will design and make a functional ice scraper. They will be introduced to key aspects of the design process, developing their own ideas through sketching and idea exploration to arrive at a final solution. Once their design is complete, they will move on to manufacture their product using acrylic.

This project gives pupils the opportunity to learn practical skills such as:

• Developing and exploring design ideas to solve a problem

• Cutting, shaping and finishing acrylic

• Safe use of hand tools and machine tools

Chalkboard Make Project [Technical Led]

Pupils will manufacture a chalkboard using pine. This hands-on, practical task introduces pupils to essential woodworking skills and safe working practices in the workshop.

Throughout the project, pupils will learn to:

• Measure and mark out wood accurately

• Cut and shape pine using hand tools and selected machines

• Understand and apply health and safety procedures in a workshop setting

• Assemble wooden components

• Apply finishing techniques to enhance and protect their final product

This project not only builds practical skills, but also encourages care, precision, and responsibility when working with tools and materials.

How Can Help Be Given At Home

A Google Classroom has been set up for S1 Technical classes [code: dyrkgd6x].

On the Classroom, you’ll find a copy of the pupil booklet used in class. This can be a great resource to help you talk with your child about their design ideas [Ice Scraper], the materials they are working with, and the steps involved in the project.

You will also find the Technical BGE Assessment Grids used to assign marks and provide pupils with specific feedback on their strengths and areas for development. By reviewing these assessment grids, pupils can see why they received their marks and what steps they can take to improve their grade in future work. This supports ongoing learning and encourages pupils to take ownership of their progress.

In addition, revision materials for the class test—taking place in early October—will also be available on Google Classroom. Going over these materials together at home can help reinforce key concepts and support your child’s confidence and preparation for the test.

Useful external resources

BBC Bitesize further study:

Design & Manufacture: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zyfb87h