Art & Design

At key stage 3, themes are organised by teachers. This enables pupils to think and respond creatively, thereby developing as effective and independent learners. Art and design provides a unique vehicle for communication and a distinctive way of learning. It educates by increasing knowledge and developing understanding through expression of ideas, feelings and the practice of skills. Creativity begins in the imagination, in memories and through things seen and experienced.

Here at Oakgrove College, pupils get the opportunity to practice their observational and recording skills. This invites personal response and reinforces the uniqueness of the individual. An understanding of the visual elements of colour, tone, line and shape, form and space, texture and pattern, also contributes to the development of pupils’ aesthetic awareness. Lessons encourage pupils to engage in critical thinking, for example, by expressing in words their understanding of how an art work was made, its purpose and what it means. Evaluation invites pupils to adapt their thinking, to modify their work, make changes when necessary, and arrive at personal solutions. Appreciating the work of artists, designers and craft workers helps pupils gain information about the context in which it was created, how people perceived the world in which they lived and the characteristics and use of media and materials.

Years 8, 9 and 10 (Key Stage 3)

Students study Art and Design for two thirty-five minute periods per week.

Themes

Year 8 – Peruvian Whistling Vessels – Ceramics

Year 9 – Identity and German Expression

Year 10 – Food Art

Staff

There are two full time and one part-time members of staff in the department.

Mrs G Kelly – BA (Hons), MA, PGCE (Head of Department)

Mrs S Quigley – BA (Hons), PGCE

Mrs Lyn Lynch – BA (Hons), PGCE

Ms Sharon Gamble – BA (Hons) Art Technician

GCSE Art + Design

Students study the Northern Ireland GCSE CCEA course.

Key Features

It offers opportunities to build on the skills and capabilities developed through the delivery of the Northern Ireland curriculum at key stage 3.
It places a renewed emphasis on drawing and on understanding and applying the design process.
It encourages students to engage with the creative and cultural industries.
It enables the transition from key stage 3 to GCSE, and progression from GCSE to A Level courses.
It offers broad and flexible content, allowing students to pursue a range of creative pathways.

Students study GCSE Art + Design for four thirty-five minute periods per week.

Specification at a Glance

Overview

Follow a critical, practical and theoretical study of Art and Design. Develop an appreciation of the work of artists and designers from a range of cultural backgrounds.

Goals

To develop your creative, intellectual and artistic abilities through producing work in 2D, 3D, fine art and design. This includes: drawing, painting, graphic design, textile design, lens-based media, 3D design and sculpture.

Requirements

An interest in and a desire to commit to an Art & Design project. This will consist of 2 units to be completed over 5 terms in years 11 and 12.

Unit 1 - Build a Portfolio

You will explore what is meant by visual elements and understand how artists and designers from different cultures and historical periods are visual elements to communicate their ideas and feelings. (20x A2 pages)

Unit 2 - Exam

Using a range of media, materials, processes and techniques to develop your ideas and produce an outcome in fine art, craft or design in either 2/3D. (10x A2 pages and a final piece)

Careers

Painting, photography, jewellery design, silversmith, woodworker, graphic design (from book to web design), architecture, product design (including package design), landscape design, mechanical design, fashion design, set and costume design, film making, special effects and many more.

GCE Moving Image Arts

Students study the Northern Ireland GCE CCEA Course. They study this subject for eight thirty-five minute periods per week.

The moving image is a key driver of the creative industries and plays a significant role in today’s culture, shaping how we communicate and learn about the world around us. Film, television and the internet inform, entertain and educate us and this course will empower you to use the moving image as a tool to express yourself and your new ideas in new and creative ways.

Key Features

By studying Moving Image Arts you will:

Develop the skills of a screen writer, director, production designer, cinematographer and editor with full creative ownership of your own filmmaking processes;
Explore a wide range of moving image styles and movements, broadening your critical understanding and enjoyment of a rich history of film culture;
Learn how to experiment and innovate confidently with digital technologies, applying techniques, skilfully and purposefully; and
Use an impressive range of skills for employment, including working from your own initiative, planning and managing schedules, equipment and human resources, providing leadership and creative direction and demonstrating innovative problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.

Specification at a Glance

Overview

Moving Image Arts (MIA) offers students a unique opportunity to develop and refine their skills as film-makers. It enables students to broaden their experience of audiovisual culture to inform, inspire and contextualize their own creative ideas.

MIA is an ideal choice for students wishing to pursue a career in the creative industries, which value and promote independence, originality, creative enterprise and technical skill.

Goals

To develop the skills of a screen writer, director, production designer, cinematographer and editor with full creative ownership of your own filmmaking process.
To explore a wide range of moving image styles and movements, broadening your critical understanding and enjoyment of a rich history of film culture.
To learn how to experiment and innovate confidently with digital technologies, applying techniques skilfully and purposefully.
To use an impressive range of skills for employment, including working from your own initiative, planning and managing schedules, equipment and human resources, providing leadership and creative direction and demonstrating innovative problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.

Requirements

You will enjoy this course if you are passionate about film and keen to experiment and learn by exploring your creative ideas through this exciting medium.

Careers

MIA is a challenging and rewarding course, offering a solid foundation for progression to higher and further education and the creative industries. Careers include; Director, editor, animator, set designer, camera operator, cinematographer, producer, sound engineer and many more.

AS 1

In this unit you will study three areas of film style:

Classical Hollywood Style
Formalism
Realism

You will learn the creative and technical skills of moving image production, including how camera, lighting, mise-en-scène, sound (including music), and editing are used to create emotion, mood and audience response. You will use your study to inform and inspire your own creative practice.

AS 2

In this unit you will study the following styles and movements to prepare for your online examination:

Classical Hollywood Style and Alfred Hitchcock.
Formalism in Early European Cinema, including German Expressionism and Soviet Montage.
American Expressionism and Film Noir.

You will also learn about the Hollywood Studio System and realist techniques used in Hollywood cinema.

A2 1

In this unit you will refine your filmmaking skills. You will investigate film practitioners and further develop your screenwriting ideas. You will experiment with techniques and conventions studied to inform your own creative ideas.

A2 2

In this unit you will study the following styles of Realism in World Cinema to prepare for your online examination:

Italian Neo-Realism
French New Wave and Cinéma Vérité
Poetic Realism

You will also study ways in which filmmakers have tried to experiment with narrative and will learn about writing director’s notes

AS/A2 Art + Design

Students study the Northern Ireland GCE CCEA course.

Key Features

This qualification is available as one of the following:

a general art and design qualification (Art, Craft and Design – Combined Studies);
a specialism in photography and lens-based media (Photography and Lens-Based Media);
a specialism in three-dimensional design (Three-Dimensional Design); or
a specialism in textiles (Textiles).

It includes four units that are internally assessed and externally moderated, with the exception of the written investigation element of Unit A2 1: Personal and Critical Investigation, which is externally assessed.
There are variations in learning outcomes across units to reflect the assessment objective weighting and progression from AS level to A2. For this reason, each unit has an assessment matrix for its specific learning outcomes.
It allows students to engage in integrated critical, practical and theoretical study in art and design.
It gives students a sound basis for progression to higher education courses in art and design or study related to other areas of the creative industries.
A range of support is available, including specimen assessment materials, exemplar schemes of work and teacher guidance.

Students study AS/A2 Art and Design for eight thirty-five minute periods per week.

Specification at a Glance

Overview

Studying Art and Design will help develop skills and qualities which are sought after by employers. These include creativity, problem – solving, resilience, imagination, empathy and innovation.

Goals

At AS Level in Yr13 – Completion of two units. The first is an experimental portfolio which is theme based. You will explore experiment, develop and record knowledge, understanding, skills and ideas.

At A2 Level in Yr14 – completion of another two units. In the first you will research, explore and produce a 1000-2000 word written investigation combined with practical development. For the second unit, you will produce a final outcome(s). This will be teacher assessed and externally moderated.

Requirements

You should have completed GCSE Art and Design and achieved a grade A*-C. You must discuss with your Art teacher before making your final decision about taking on AS or A2 Art and Design.

Careers

Painting, photography, jewellery design, silversmith, woodworker and graphic design (from book to web design). Architecture, product design (including package design), Landscape design, mechanical design, fashion design, set and costume design. Film making, special effects and many more.