Art & Design Coleraine Grammar School

Art & Design

Members of Staff:

Mr G Hutchinson
Mrs. M Hutchinson
Mrs M Knipe
Mrs E O’Neill.

We live in a world which is increasingly dependent on visual information. This creative media is one of the biggest industries within the UK and Art is increasingly recognised as an important facilitator for pupils to access careers in this field. At CGS Art is taught to all pupils at KS3. Emphasis is placed on a child centred art provision whereby pupils are encouraged to develop artistic skills through thematic projects which encourages them to bring their own experiences and interests in their response to a theme. It is a popular at GCSE, AS and A2 with large numbers of pupils choosing the subject. Their work is showcased throughout the school, in Art rooms and at the final exam exhibitions which take place at the end of each academic year. The success of the subject is also reflected by the regular selection of our top students to exhibit work in the CCEA True Colours exhibition at the Belfast Museum.

GCSE
AS / A2

GCSE

At GCSE pupils are expected to work on a coursework element over 4 terms to produce a final outcome and accompanying sheets which document their approach to this theme. This is worth 60% of their overall mark. The remainder of the course involves an exam in the form of an Externally Set Assignment which permits pupils to prepare for 8-12 weeks prior to an 8 hour exam.

AS / A2

AS and A2 involves a similar format of coursework and ESA over one academic year with the same mark allocations. These overall processes encourage pupils to build on the technical skills taught throughout their art education but also to become independent learners. Art teaches pupils to look carefully at the world around them, consider their place in that world and develop a visual language to express their ideas and opinions about this relationship. Many students go on to Foundation Courses, or straight to Degrees, which include, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion, Animation, Architectureand Digital Media Design.