Plockton High School

Our Senior Phase courses give you access to a wide range of subjects, helping you build skills, confidence, and employability while still at school. With a mix of on-campus and online learning, taught by industry-experienced lecturers, you’ll experience college and university learning and get a head start on your future.

Want to know what studying through Senior Phase is really like? Read our student stories.

Applications for senior phase courses are now closed and will reopen in January 2027.

If you have any questions about our courses, our Schools Team is here to help.

Explore our courses

Face-to-face: Delivered in college or school

NPA Bakery SCQF 4

Duration: One academic year
Where and when:
- UHI North, West and Hebrides Portree, Wednesday, 10.00am - 2.30pm
- Invergordon Academy, Friday, 8.45am - 12.20pm - Please note the Invergordon Academy course is now full.

This course could be for you if you have a real interest in baking and want to learn more, or if you are considering cooking/baking as a career. This will enhance your existing skills and offer an additional qualification on your CV in a specialised area. You will leave with a portfolio of your work, which can be presented to a potential employer.

Course content

Bread Making
Pastry
Craft Baking
Cake decoration
Portfolio creation

Students on this course are required to have PPE. PPE will be provided for school pupils. Home-educated young people are responsible for supplying their own PPE. This course required the following PPE includes:

Butchers apron
Skull cap

Entry requirements

A keen interest in the subject and ideally you should be working towards or at level 4 in school.

What next

This course provides a strong foundation for further study full-time in Professional Cookery or Hospitality.

Please note the Invergordon Academy bakery course is now full.

APPLY

Beauty Skills Units SCQF 4

Duration: One academic year
When and Where:
- Alness Academy - Friday, 09.30am - 1.30pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Fort William - Wednesday, 9.00am - 3.30pm
- UHI North, West and Hebrides, Portree - Wednesday, 10.00am - 2.30pm

This course provides candidates with an introduction to a selection of essential beauty treatment techniques, focusing particularly on facial skin care, make-up, and nail skills. A great way to start your training into the beauty industry and allows progression onto further beauty training on completion of this course.

Course content

Beauty Skills: An Introduction
Cosmetology: Make-up Artistry
Creative Nail Finishes to Hand and Foot

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements.

What next

Upon completion, you may wish to progress on to a course in this subject area.

Foundation Apprenticeship: Construction SCQF 4

Duration: One academic year
Where: UHI North, West and Hebrides
- Fort William - Thursday, 0900 - 1530
- Portree - Wednesday 1000 - 1430

The course includes learning with an industry focus, developing a knowledge of the construction industry and the job roles within it, and the skills required to work in construction. It also includes trades-based introductions to craft areas, including carpentry and bench joinery, painting and decorating, brickwork, plasterwork, and roof tiling. The work will be done as a project with industry, teaching you all the work-based skills you need to move into the industry, or to progress into a pre-apprenticeship course or apprenticeship programme.

Entry requirements

SCQF level 3 and above for English, Mathematics and other related technical and graphical subjects.

What next

After you complete this course, you could seek employment within a variety of construction disciplines, including:

Carpentry and Joinery
Painting and Decorating, Roofing
Bricklaying
Plastering Stonemasonry
General Construction Operations Management & Civil/Structural Engineering
You can also progress into further education and/or training in these areas.

APPLY

SfW Sport and Recreation SCQF 4

Duration: One academic year
Where: UHI North, West and Hebrides, Fort William
When:
- Fort William: Wednesday 0900 - 1530

This course covers the main practical activities involved in carrying out a supporting role in the outdoor adventure industry. It will provide a foundation of skills and qualifications to take the first step in this exciting and expanding sector.

Weather permitting, you may have a chance to try a number of the following activities canyoning, mountain biking, canoeing, mountain walking, sea kayaking, climbing, ropes courses and raft building. You will also have the chance to achieve:

Paddle Start Award (beginner) and Paddle Discover (next level)
First Aid
John Muir Discovery Award

Course content

Assist with Activity Sessions
Dealing with Facilities and Equipment
Dealing with Accidents and Emergencies
Personal Fitness
Skills for Employment

The practical aspects of the course involve getting out on activities and possibly doing work experience with outdoor activity providers.

You will be assessed by a mixture of written and practical work and your final assessment will involve you acting as the instructor and assisting in outdoor activities.

Entry requirements

You should be working towards National 4 level, have an interest in Outdoor Activities and have a satisfactory reference.

What next

After you leave school, there is a range of full-time college courses offered by the School of Adventure Studies which progress to degree level. You could directly apply for the Certificate in Outdoor Adventure, but later you may consider other courses if you have gained the relevant entry requirements.

APPLY

Foundation Apprenticeships

Online: National 4 & SCQF 4 courses

Online: National 5 & SCQF 5 courses

NPA Maritime Studies SCQF 5

Duration: One academic year
Where: Online (e-Sgoil)
When: Monday 9.40 am - 11.35 am; Wednesday 10.45 am - 12.25 pm and Friday 11.35 am - 1.15 pm

This course gives you the chance to explore the maritime industry through a practical and vocational programme alongside your school studies. It is designed for pupils who want to learn more about life and work at sea, and to help you decide whether the maritime sector could be a future career or progression route.

You will learn about the maritime environment, how vessels operate, and the roles and responsibilities involved in working safely at sea. The course gives a realistic introduction to the industry and the types of skills and knowledge it involves.

This course helps you explore maritime studies and make informed decisions about future study or work.

Course content

You will develop knowledge and understanding of the maritime industry and the nautical environment, alongside an introduction to key maritime skills.

Mandatory units focus on core areas of maritime study, including basic navigational watchkeeping, an overview of the maritime sector, and the principles behind vessel construction and stability. You will also explore ropework, anchoring and mooring, helping you understand how these skills are used on board vessels.

An optional unit allows you to develop more specialised knowledge, with a focus on health and safety and the procedures involved in securing a vessel for safe passage.

Entry requirements

You should be able to work at SCQF level 5. Applicants should have an interest in the subject and be committed to completing the course.

What next

This course can support progression to further study or training in maritime-related subjects, including locally delivered further education programmes. It may also help prepare you for entry-level opportunities or apprenticeships within the maritime or aquaculture sectors, depending on your wider qualifications and experience.

APPLY

Online: Highers & SCQF 6 courses

Online: Degree modules & SCQF 7 courses

Online Courses with UHI Inverness

If you have any questions regarding the online courses in this section, please email: schools.ic@uhi.ac.uk