Home Economics & Technical

Home Economics Curriculum Options

In the Broad General Education (BGE), Home Economics introduces students to the essential skills needed for healthy, sustainable living and creativity in food preparation. As students progress into the Senior Phase, they can specialise further through a variety of National Qualification courses that combine theoretical understanding with practical application.

Our curriculum encourages students to explore nutrition, sustainability, and the cultural significance of food, while also gaining hands-on experience in advanced food preparation, cake craft, and barista skills. These courses help develop critical thinking, organisation, and dexterity, preparing students for future studies, careers, and everyday life.

Course Options

• Health & Food Technology (National 4, National 5, Higher)
  Students investigate the journey of food products, from concept to shelf, and gain knowledge about nutrients, diet-related diseases, and Scottish dietary guidelines. Key issues like genetic modification, organic production, and fair trade are also explored. Assessment includes a 60-mark exam and a 60-mark assignment completed in class.

• Practical Cookery (National 4, National 5)
  Students develop complex practical cooking skills, focusing on timing, organisation, and precision through detailed planning and execution. The course emphasizes the use of seasonal and local ingredients, while also integrating numeracy for cost calculations. an 18-mark assignment, and an 82-mark practical activity where students prepare three dishes within 2 hours and 30 minutes.

• Practical Cake Craft (National 5)
  This course explores the functional properties of baking ingredients and develops students' practical skills in creating and decorating baked goods. Students refine their dexterity and creativity through detailed design and finishing techniques. Assessment includes a 25-mark paper and a 100-mark practical assignment encompassing design, planning, baking, and decoration.

• Barista Skills (National 5)
  Students learn about the origins of coffee and the art of crafting a range of hot and cold beverages. They apply their skills by hosting events, such as staff delivery services and coffee mornings. Assessment is based on in-class performance and evidence of service across a variety of coffee and beverage types.

Each course equips students with valuable skills and knowledge, fostering creativity, organisation, and a deeper understanding of food and hospitality industries.

Technical Studies Curriculum Options

Our technical subjects provide students with a blend of practical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, preparing them for real-world applications and future careers. Through Practical Woodwork, students develop craftsmanship and hands-on skills, learning to create high-quality wooden products while gaining an understanding of tools, materials, and safe working practices. In Graphic Communication, students explore visual communication by combining traditional drawing techniques with modern digital tools to produce technical designs and creative visual content. Together, these subjects nurture spatial awareness, precision, and technological proficiency, offering a strong foundation for careers in design, engineering, and related fields.

Course Options

Practical Woodwork

• Machining & Finishing

• Flat Frame Construction

• Carcase Construction

Graphic Communication

• 3D Modelling

• Graphic Design

Pupils at Whitehill are selected based on merit to compete in the prestigious Trades House Awards, a Glasgow-wide competition celebrating technical skills and craftsmanship. Whitehill's commitment to excellence has earned remarkable achievements, including 2nd place in Woodworking (2023), 3rd place in Design & Manufacture (2023), 3rd place in Woodworking (2024), and numerous awards for S1-S3 pupils. These accomplishments highlight the talent and dedication of our students in technical education.