ART & DESIGN

Mrs AM Donaghy

Mrs A Convery

KEY STAGE 3

In the Art department we hope that:

All pupils learn and understand the meaning of the 7 elements of The Visual Language and acquire the skills of using them using a 2B pencil.
Pupils become independent in using the elements of The Visual Language
Pupils will be able to do Primary Source research in/from their own environment and context and make drawings/artwork from it, making a pastiche i.e. pupils’ own interpretation of an object(s), theme or scene.
Pupils will be able to do Secondary Source research exploring and learning about the work of a wide variety of artists’ work from a variety of countries and cultures. Again making a pastiche based on a range of artists’ work.
Pupils will be able to communicate their ideas, skills, knowledge and feelings in 2-D and 3-D and at times verbally during class shared dialogue.

Pupils in Key Stage 3 are taught:

To use a range of techniques to record their observations and explore ideas in their sketchbooks/paper and using other media.
To use a range of techniques and media including chalk- pastels, oil- pastels, charcoal, paint, clay/pottery/ ceramics, photography, basic printing, textiles.
To increase their proficiency in the handling of different media/ materials such as ceramics, papier-maché .
Pupils will be able to self- evaluate their own work, the work of artists’ and designers.. making pastiches. Pupils will give their work a mark out of 20 before the teacher marks the work.
Aspects of the history and theory of art/art movements/design/artists’ lives & their contexts from a variety of cultures eg Vincent Van Gogh, The Impressionists, Dali, Matisse, Klee, Kandinsky, Modigliani, Japanese printmakers eg Hokusai, H, Aboriginal art, Maori art and many more.
Pupils then make their own pastiches based on this art work.

KEY STAGE 4 GCSE Art and Design

COMPONENT 1 is worth 60% of the course marks composed of 2 parts.

Part A

The work/ theme is internally set and agreed between the student and teacher in a shared agenda. The exam board calls this an ‘Exploratory Portfolio’.. which means a body of different types of art work. This part is worth 25%.

PART B

Investigating the creative and cultural industries. This part is worth 35%. A design brief is set e.g. for a textiles piece. Fashion design, photography, 3-sculpture, logo design. Students will produce a response in a variety of disciplines and through a contextual investigative body of work.

COMPONENT 2 is worth 40% of the course marks.

The exam board will set an Externally Set Assignment (ESA) exam paper containing one theme with a variety of starting points to inspire students in Year 12 in January 2021. Students will have c. 9-10 weeks preparation studies before a supervised exam period in an Art room.

The inherent essence and kernel of art and design work is to be creative, imaginative, original, expressive and innovative acquiring the skills of critical analysis/thinking in unpredictable thinking and outcomes. The great enemy of art, design and the Arts in general is predictability; so we encourage unusual, imaginative, creative, unpredictable thinking and artwork.

The GCSE Art & Design course engages in a critical, practical and theoretical study of Art & Design. Pupils develop an appreciation of the work of artists, designers and craft work workers from a range of cultural backgrounds. They also develop their artistic practice.

Students will have the opportunity to:

Widen their personal experience
Develop their creative, intellectual and artistic abilities
Develop their personal knowledge and understanding
Develop skills.. investigating, realising, experimenting and problem solving.

KEY STAGE 5

A-level Art and Design provides students with opportunities to develop personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures.

The course builds on the art, craft and design experiences gained by students who followed a GCSE Art and Design specification or other similar qualifications.

It provides a solid foundation for progression of study of art and design at a higher level and for university, employment/a career.

It offers a four-unit qualification facilitating enjoyment, breadth and exploration of art, craft and design.

The AS course is divided into two units:

AS 1 - The Coursework Portfolio based on a theme
AS 2. Externally Set Assignment (ESA)

The A Level course must study two further units

A2 3 - Written Personal Investigation/ Dissertation based on students’ art/design work.
A2 4 - Externally Set Assignment

Other Information e.g. Awards, extra activities etc

The Art & Design Department consists of three rooms, a new iMac computer suite, a ceramics annex and kiln in a kiln room as well as a studio/exhibition area for our GCSE and A’Level students.

We are always encouraging pupils at all Key Stages to enter competitions and we have had a good record of winners and runners up over the years in a variety of competitions. We are continually determined and committed to motivating and inspiring pupils and feel that giving pupils the opportunity to enter competitions is an important to raise self- esteem.

For the GCSE and A’Level students, there is the opportunity to participate in field trips such as the annual trip to the True Colours Exhibition in the Ulster Museum in Belfast. We have also organised trips in the past to Dublin as well as visiting local Art galleries.