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Welcome to the Art Department

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Department Staff

Ms U Watters (Head Of Department)
Mr M Williamson
Mr D McAleavey (Art Technician)

Introduction to Art & Design

At Key Stage 3 students investigate a range of themes and follow a wide a varied course of study to develop knowledge, understanding and skills. They learn techniques to improve their observational and recording skills and refine their practical skills in a variety of media and processes including: 

-    Drawing (pencil, pen, pastels and collage) 

-    Painting 

-    Printing (mono and poly)

-    Textiles (felting)

-    Ceramics (2D and 3D) 

-    Photography 

-    Critical and contextual studies 

Students analyse the formal visual elements and the work of other artists and they evaluate their own and others’ work.

 

GCSE Art & Design

Where will my GCSE Art take me?

GCSE Art is:

  • Valuable preparation for careers in advertising, design, photography, fashion, publishing, teaching, graphic design, illustration, fine art, textile design, multi-media design, film making to name but a few
  • An excellent foundation for studying GCE A-Level and beyond.

Click here view the GCSE Art & Design Specification

Component 1: 60%

You will spend four terms on your portfolio of work. It will be marked by your teacher and moderated by CCEA. You will:

Part A: Exploratory Portfolio

Throughout Part A you will;

  • learn how to use the formal visual elements of art and design, including: colour; line; shape; form; texture; tone; and pattern.

Part B:

Investigating the Creative and Cultural Industries

Throughout Part B you will;

  • learn about the different roles and work practices used in the production of art, craft and design in the creative and cultural industries.

Component 2: 40%

Externally Set Assignment

You will complete work in response to a stimulus paper we release in the final year of your course.

You will complete at least 20 hours of preparatory work in response to the theme in the paper.

You will also produce and complete a final outcome based on your preparatory work within a set period of 10 hours under exam conditions.

 

A Level Art & Design

Studying Art and Design helps develop key transferable skills and qualities which are highly sought after by employers. These include creativity, problem-solving, resilience, imagination, empathy and innovation.

It also promotes:

  • independent learning;
  • personal development and motivation;
  • the ability to find alternative approaches and take risks in creative pursuits; and
  • aesthetic and intellectual capacities.

Higher order thinking skills such as researching, analysing and reflecting are fundamental to this qualification. It provides students with opportunities to develop key skills needed for the world of work, Further and Higher Education and provides a pathway to a future career in a creative or cultural industries-related field.

The revised GCE Art and Design is available at two levels, AS and A2.

There are four units – two at AS level and two at A2 level:

  • AS 1 : Experimental Portfolio
  • AS 2 : Personal Response
  • A2 1: Personal and Critical Investigation
  • A2 2: Thematic Outcome

Click here to view the A-Level Art & Design Specification

Content

Summary

Assessment

Weightings

AS 1:

Experimental

Portfolio

Theme based: students explore, experiment develop and record knowledge, understanding skills and ideas.

Teacher assessment with external moderation; AOS 1,2,3

50% of AS

20% of A level

AS 2:

Personal Response

Theme based: students produce a final outcome/outcomes.

Teacher assessment with external moderation; AO4 more heavily weighted than AOS 1,2,3

50% of AS

20% of A level

A2 1:

Personal and Critical

Investigation

Theme based: students research, explore and produce 1000–3000 word written investigation combined with practical development.

Written element externally assessed. 

Teacher assessment with external moderation of practical investigation; AOS 1,2,3

20% of A2

12% of A level

40% of A2

24% of A level

60% of A2

36% of A level

A2 2:

Thematic Outcome

Themed based: students produce a final outcome/outcomes.

Teacher assessment with external moderation; AO4 more heavily weighted than 1,2,3

40% of A2

24% of A level

 

What can I do with a qualification in Art and Design?

The creative and cultural industries are a fast growing area of the economy and are key to economic success. Northern Ireland and the UK have an established reputation in these industries.

This qualification provides students with opportunities to develop key skills needed for the world of work and further and higher education. It creates a pathway to a future career in a creative field.

Possible careers include advertising, architecture, art, curation, craft, jewellery, fashion design, car design, film, costume design, special effects, make-up, photography, graphic design, set design, furniture design, interior design, music, animation, performing arts, publishing, software design, toys and games design, TV, radio and video games design. A wide range of STEM careers such as engineering now also require creative, artistic and design skills.

The study of GCE Art and Design nurtures a range of qualities which are highly sought after by employers. These include creativity, problem-solving, resourcefulness, resilience, imagination, empathy and innovation. Higher order thinking skills such as researching, analysing and reflecting are embedded throughout this qualification.