Art & Design
Art and Design encourages pupils to think, learn and develop creatively.
Key Stage 3
Year 8 – 10 pupils follow a programme which encourages them to:
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respond to the world around them;
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respond to their individual feelings and emotions;
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develop and use their imagination;
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express their ideas, thoughts and feelings;
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solve problems; and
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become more aesthetically aware.
Areas of study include drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, graphic design and collage techniques. Pupils enjoy exploring a number of these techniques in every project they study.
Successful recent projects include:
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Identity through use of colour and paint
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Belfast buildings printmaking project
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Aboriginal art batik
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Graphics and illustrative drawing
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Textiles – using felt to make cartoon characters
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Animating art work
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African masks sculpture
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Cubism still life compositions
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Ceramics – building 3d forms using clay
Key Stage 4
Year 11 and 12 pupils work towards achieving a Creative Art qualification when studying Art and Design.
Pupils aim to achieve a level that encourages the development of their creative abilities.
The course of study for this qualification helps learners to:
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develop a number of art and craft skills;
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acquire fundamental knowledge of the creative art and craft process;
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progress into further study; and
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build a creative portfolio of work.
Post 16
Pupils in Post 16 can choose to study Art and Design as part of their curriculum choice and can work towards achieving the Occupational Studies: Design and Creativity qualification. This reflects their abilities and talents, encouraging them to improve creatively.
Studying art at Post 16 encourages pupils to:
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focus on occupation and employability;
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enables progression to other courses, training and employment;
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helps to raise levels of achievement; and
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emphasises learning by doing, which helps learners to develop the transferable skills needed in a changing and dynamic working environment.
Art Therapy
Art therapy sessions are available to pupils twice a week. Art Therapy helps pupils to express themselves, build their self-esteem and improve relationships between fellow pupils and teaching staff effectively.