Category: Uncategorized

The higher computing classes were visited by 2 employees of JP Morgan to talk to the pupils about how the concepts taught in the class apply to their every day jobs.

These employees are ex pupils of Taylor High School and are now very successful members of the JP Morgan company in their technology section of the company.

Concepts covered were how agile methodologies are used to create ‘products’ for all other aspects of the global financial company. Discussions took place around ‘minimal viable products’, ‘sprints’, ‘client feedback’ etc.

All of this was done in an active learning environment using Lego to represent computer applications being created by the teams.

 

 

Currently our S4 cohort are undertaking their final unit tests for the Software Design and Development (SDD) unit. This will test knowledge, skills and understanding from all areas of the unit and will help to identify key areas of strength as well as development for our pupils.

Study resources have been shared on Teams and key resources have been discussed in class such as:

BBC Bitesize: Software design and development – National 5 Computing Science – BBC Bitesize

Achieve.

There are also past papers and corresponding marking instructions available on the SQA website:

SQA – NQ – Past papers and marking instructions

We also want to make you aware that we run supported study sessions for Computing Science every day at the following times:

Before school: 7:30 – 8:55 AM 
Lunchtime: 12:30 – 13:15 PM

*If your child requires further help or guidance we would ask them to come and speak to their class teachers regarding any issues identified in the first instance so that a solution can be discussed.

At S3/S4 our learners are working towards earning their National 4/5 qualifications.

In S3, our pupils cover National 4 style work, laying the foundations for progression to National 4/5 courses in S4. Below is some useful information and helpful resources for Technicals Practical Woodworking and Graphic Communication.

Practical Woodworking

In S3, pupils build key woodworking and workshop skills: measuring and marking timber and sheet materials, understanding safe working practices, exploring creativity and problem-solving in a workshop context, and working with simple projects to develop confidence and technique.

In S4, pupils study the national curriculum for Practical Woodworking, where they apply theory and practical skills to manufacture a finished product from wood, following working drawings and specifications, and complete a log book that records their process, planning, and finishing steps.

Note: From session 2025–26 onwards, the separate National 5 question paper is being removed. Assessment will now rely entirely on the practical activity (including a case study) worth 100% of the course marks.

SQA Links for Practical Woodworking:
National 4 Practical Woodworking – SQA
National 5 Practical Woodworking – Course overview – SQA

 

Graphic Communication (Graphic Design / Drafting)

In S3, students work through level 4 graphic/drafting and design tasks, practising manual drawing techniques, sketching, orthographic drawing, and basic computer-aided design (CAD) tasks.

In S4, learners study National 5 Graphic Communication (Graphic Communication / Graphic Design). Pupils learn to interpret and create graphic communication drawings, use both manual and computer-aided drawing techniques.  Pupils will also develop CAD skills to produce technical drawings, product design visuals, and presentation graphics. They also consider how graphic communication and design impact society and sustainability.

 

SQA Links for Graphic Communication:
National 4 Graphic Communication – Course overview – SQA
National 5 Graphic Communication – SQA

Resource:
Achieve: Achieve
BBC Bitesize: Graphic communication – BBC Bitesize

 

As always, special thanks to Zeus Engineering for helping supply our pupils with materials!

Zeus, (Part of the AGZ group):-

Linked-In – https://www.linkedin.com/company/agz-group
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AGZ-Group-224398447950545
Twitter –    AGZ Group@Group_AGZ
Website – http://www.agzgroup.co.uk/

On Wednesday (10^th) morning, our S4, S5 and S6 Graphic Communication pupils had the opportunity to visit New College Lanarkshire for a hands-on workshop in Architectural Design and Technology.

This was led by Vivien Townsley, Course Leader for Computer Aided Architectural Design & Technology.

Pupils were introduced to industry-standard software and challenged to design a two-storey house. This exciting session allowed our learners to build on their already impressive CAD (Computer Aided Design) skills they have developed in Graphic Communication, applying them within a real-world, professional architectural setting.

The workshop not only showcased the creative and technical possibilities of CAD but also gave pupils a taste of the pathways available in design and engineering at college level.

We are delighted that Vivien will be visiting Taylor High School later this year to share more about the opportunities available through New College Lanarkshire’s Design and Engineering courses.

At S3/S4 our learners are working towards earning their National 4/5 qualifications.

In S3, our learner’s complete relevant level 4 work with the view to progress to the National 4/5 courses in S4. In S4 pupils will follow the National 4 or National 5 curriculum.

Below is relevant information and helpful resources for Computing Science and Business Management.

Computing Science

• S3 pupils are working through the Web Design and Development (WDD) unit, building skills in creating effective and functional websites.
• S4 pupils are developing their programming abilities within the Software Design and Development (SDD) unit using Python. This will help pupils learn how to design and implement programs to solve problems.

SQA Links for Computing:
National 4 Computing Science – SQA
National 5 Computing Science – Course overview and resources – SQA

Computing resources: 
Achieve: Achieve
BBC Bitesize: Learn and Revise with BBC Bitesize

 

Business & Business Management

• S3 pupils are working through Level 4 Business contexts, developing knowledge and skills in areas such as enterprise, finance, and the role of business in society.
• S4 pupils are focusing on the Marketing unit, learning how businesses identify, target, and satisfy customer needs while working towards creating effective strategies.

SQA Links for Business Management:

National 4 Business – SQA

National 5 Business Management – Course overview and resources – SQA

Business Resources:

Achieve: Achieve
BBC Bitesize: Learn and Revise with BBC Bitesize

 

We hope this helps you to support your child no matter the subject within the faculty.

*Information pertaining to Technical will be provided in an upcoming post.

A warm welcome back to all pupils as we begin an exciting year in the Technologies faculty. Our faculty brings together Business, Computing and Technical, giving pupils a broad and practical learning experience to help develop skills for life, learning and work.

S1 & 2 – ICT: 

• In S1, pupils have been introduced to key computing terminology and will continue to explore the concepts of inputs, processes, outputs and backing storage. This will help to create a strong foundation in digital literacy.
• In S2, the focus is on ethical business, where pupils will be identifying needs and wants, exploring goods and services and understanding how businesses operate.

S1 & 2 – Technical:

• S1 pupils have been learning about health and safety within the technologies workshops as well as best practices.  After this pupils will begin to create a mug tree base which will help teach basic skills in marking, sawing, sanding and drilling as they progress.
• In S2, pupils have been introduced to Computer Aided Design (CAD) which they are using to develop digital design skills. Pupils will also learn how technology supports technical innovation throughout this unit.

We are proud to offer such a diverse curriculum, ensuring that pupils can pursue their interests and develop valuable skills.  Another post will be released towards the end of the week with further information about our upper set pupils (S3-S6).

This year’s Taylor Tycoon event was as exciting as ever. All of S1 were put into groups where they had to devise a business plan. This plan had to decide what product to sell, what their business strategy would be, and what their company name, logo, and slogan would be.

They then sold their wares to the rest of the school.

The top 3 businesses were:-

Dough Delights from practical class 1P6

Ice Delights from practical class 1P3

Classy Cakes from practical class 1P8

The profits from this venture will go to a charity of the pupils’ choice.

Here are the winning business team – Dough Delights

The last two weeks have seen the games hall transformed into a bustle of financial activity where S1 businesses were selling their wares. S1 classes in ICT were working in groups to come up with a business plan, company name, logo and slogan. They then sold their products at lunchtime over a two week period. The takings are still coming in and the winning company will be announced soon.

Pupils have been very busy creating Christmas decorations using a variety of materials.

A massive thank you once again to Zeus Engineering, (part of the AGZ group), for providing the raw materials to allow this creative learning experience to happen.

This activity really helps the pupils showcase their technical skills in an engaging manner. Santa would be very pleased too.

Zeus, (Part of the AGZ group):-

• Linked-In – https://www.linkedin.com/company/agz-group
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AGZ-Group-224398447950545
• Twitter –    AGZ Group@Group_AGZ
• Website – http://www.agzgroup.co.uk/

This week three S3 Business pupils travelled to BioCity Glasgow – Pioneer Group (Newhouse) to take part in this year’s NLC ‘Dragons Lair’ Enterprise Final 2024. They were accompanied by Mr Price (Business Education Teacher) and Mrs Johnston (Depute Head Teacher).

This is a superb initiative which introduces our young people to the world of business. Teams are responsible for coming up with a new and innovative idea for a product or service. The standard of entries was extremely high this year and the team were delighted that their business plan and idea for School Buddy had been selected as a finalist. The team scoring an impressive 93/100 by the business experts and commenting that it was a “Great business plan and a well thought through idea”.

On the day of the event the team pitched their business idea to the panel of Dragons and after all finalist teams had pitched their ideas, the ‘Dragons’ selected a winner. We did not win on this occasion, but the team can be extremely proud of their efforts in reaching the final. They were a credit to themselves, their friends and family watching and represented Team Taylor admirably.