Art & Design

National Qualifications in Art and Design provide learners with a broad, practical experience of art and design practice and related critical activities. Learners develop practical skills as they explore how to visually represent and communicate their thoughts and ideas through their work, and study the works of artists and designers.

Staff

Mr N Cinnamond
Miss R Paterson
Ms M Riquelme
Ms G Clerk

Curriculum

We work here to create and maintain an industrious, creative and rewarding atmosphere where each pupil can develop skills and abilities that are useful not only within the subject, but which are valuable in the widest sense.

Problem solving, creative thinking, self-motivation and meeting deadlines are just some of the qualities that are required for life in and beyond school, and Art and Design is well placed to develop these and more.

Broad General Education

Pupils in S1, S2 and S3 have three periods a week of a course that covers a variety of both expressive and design topics in two and three dimensions. Analytical and critical thinking exercises support these subject areas, integrated with various projects.

National courses

National 4, National 5 and Higher cover the following in the form of two units and a written exam - only for National 5 and Higher.

Design involves solving problems. Pupils will be set and solve a design problem, leading to an outcome in 2D or 3D. Design Studies are used to compliment the research for the project.
Expressive Art involves recording visually and interpreting. From a theme of pupil’s choice, appropriate investigation, development will follow, resulting in an expressive outcome, which could be a painting, collage, print or drawing, sculpture, etc. Expressive Art studies are used to complement the research for the project.
Art and Design Studies Exam tests the pupil’s knowledge of artists’ and designers’ work, making personal judgments. For National 5 the written exam is worth 20% of the overall award and nearly 30% for Higher.
Advanced Higher (Enquiry) involves building a folio of work majoring in either expressive or design. This is complemented by supporting written work. This course is highly recommended if further studies in Art & Design are being considered.

Homework

Homework is designed to bolster classwork such as increasing drawing skills, collecting visual research for projects and researching & analysing the work of artists and designers.