James Gillespie's High School

Creative Thinking

Creative Thinking is a project-based qualification particularly suited to senior students targeting a creative pathway at college or university level. With creative projects at its heart, the course emphasises students setting and responding to their own real-world briefs. It enables learners to build a deep portfolio of work that helps them stand out as creative individuals in the world of higher education and employment.

The course has been developed in partnership with Edinburgh College of Art and Glasgow School of Art. View example student work on our course website.

Curriculum Leader: Mr S. Corson

S5–S6

Creative Thinking is available in S5 at SCQF Level 5 and in S6 at SCQF Level 6. SCQF Level 6 carries full UCAS points equivalent to a Higher at grade C.

Entry Requirements

SCQF Level 5 (S5): Minimum three SCQF Level 5/National 5 or Level 5 passes in the previous academic year.
SCQF Level 6 (S6): National 5 English.

Course Content

Students work on three creative projects across the course. Examples of projects include:

  • Circular Brand — The Ellen MacArthur Foundation challenges students to create a global fashion brand which moves away from a wasteful linear economy to a more sustainable model.
  • Campaign for Kindness — Students explore real-world societal need and disadvantage, designing a social campaign to support positive change for a demographic or cause of their choice.
  • Van of Dreams — Your local community has been gifted a campervan. How can you use it to create a product, service or experience for the benefit and joy of a specific user group?

Assessment

Course assessment is based upon three portfolio submissions. Assessment places emphasis on process rather than just final outcome. There is no written exam. Student evidence comes primarily from manual sketchbook work and other manual/digital media.

  • Project 1 Portfolio Submission — October (Graded A–D)
  • Project 2 Portfolio Submission — January (Graded A–D)
  • Project 3 Portfolio Submission — April (Graded A–D)

Career Paths

Creative Thinking particularly benefits students applying to creative-centred university or college courses that require portfolio submission. The qualification supports entry to any sector or industry.