Name: Pale Blue Dot
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Art & Design

Our Aims

The Art & Design Department aims to promote quality and diversity in its pupils within a positive teaching environment. Pupils learn to think critically, analytically and creatively in their investigations and problem solving, and gain the ability to apply their artistic skills through a range of themes. We are an extremely well equipped department with a wide range of media, materials and facilities. Pupils may avail of the following:

drawing (pencil, pastels, ink), painting, printing (lino, screen,mono),photography
ceramics, textiles (embroidery, batik and felting), modelling (wire, papermaché, card, plaster)
Graphic design, laser cutting, digital drawing and 3D design.

Pupils are taught by specialist Art & Design teachers trained in a range of specialisms. It is our hope that pupils feel valued as individuals and are encouraged to achieve the best of their ability.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Edgar Degas

Staff

Subject Leader

Mrs L Patterson

Teachers

Mrs C Hare

Miss S O'Carroll

Mrs R O’Donnell

Ms L Reid

Technician

Mrs L. Atkins

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

The Junior school covers the main art curriculum requirements. Pupils are taught using a wide range of activities in two and three dimensions. Pupil have the opportunity to learn using a number of materials, techniques and skills which provide them with a solid foundation for GCSE study. Pupils are also encouraged to make connections with artist and designer work, both historical and contemporary.
GCSE

Pupils follow the CCEA specification. It is divided into the following Component 1: Part A: Exploratory Portfolio, Part B: Investigating the Creative and Cultural Industries and Component 2: Externally Set Assignment.
AS/A2

Pupils follow the CCEA specification which is divided into AS 1: Experimental Portfolio, AS 2: Personal Response, A2 1: Personal and Critical Investigation and A22: Thematic Outcome.

Facilities & Resources

Art and Design is taught in the Pollin Building. Our ceramics facilities include two kilns, a slab roller and extruders. Our textile equipment includes a number of sewing machines and embellishers. We have a new printing press and laser cutting machine. Our ICT facilities include a dedicated computer suite with a number of MACs and an interactive whiteboard in each classroom with data projectors. The specification we follow requires us to have a good range of a materials and media available to pupils and we are privileged to have these.

Additional Information

Pupils are encouraged to broaden their Art & Design horizons and have various opportunities to do so as they pass through the school. Many of our pupils enter for Art & Design Competitions both at a local and National level. We have had a number of pupils selected for the annual CCEA True Colours Exhibition which showcases the top candidates work from throughout Northern Ireland. Each year pupils are selected for participation in the Villiers’ Park scheme. Potential Oxbridge candidates are given extra tuition in the department both to increase their Art & Design knowledge and skills, and to hone their interview techniques.

Get in touch

Our office is open 8:15am - 4:15pm Monday to Friday.

info@bfsra.belfast.ni.sch.uk