Key Stage 3

Art is often described as a "'Visual' Language".  It is a term used to describe all of the different means through which we communicate with others, work out our own ideas and express our personal feelings.  The difference between this and the spoken and written language is simply that the means that we use are visual - we 'talk' to other people through pictures, signs and symbols which they 'read' and interpret.

All pupils from Year 8 - 10 follow the 'Revised Curriculim' for Northern Ireland.  Within Art and Design pupils learn to Manage Information, Be Creative, Make Decisions, Work with Others and Problem Solve, all these skills are required for their future adult Lives.

Key Stage 4

In Year 11 and 12, Pupils follow a GCSE Art and Design course.  A minimum of 2 units plus an art exam is required to complete the course.  A unit of coursework is a clearly defined body of work which demonstrates evidence of the candidate's thinking and working processes, which normally leads to a final piece.  These units cover different skills and media including 3 dimensional ceramic and non ceramic, painting, drawing, ICT and mixed media.  Pupils usually choose their own theme for each unit.

Many of our Pupils continue Art and Design to 'A' Level and beyond.  We have past pupils Designing Computer Games, Studying Architecture, attending Art College and Teacher Training Colleges.