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Academic offer
KS3
At KS3 our aim is to offer students a varied experience and a wide range of creative opportunities in 2D and 3D, while exploring the fundamental elements of art and design; line, tone, colour, texture, form, scale and perspective. It is our intention that the experience of each year will build on the last, equipping students with the expertise and confidence to pursue this valuable subject at GCSE.
GCSE
At GCSE students complete 2 components. Component 1 is split into to 2 parts, A and B. Part A is the Exploratory Portfolio, in which students explore practical skills and understanding of formal visual elements in at least two disciplines. This is worth 25%. Part B is an Investigation of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Students become increasing skilled at developing ideas and applying understanding of relevant practices, in order to produce an outcome. This is worth 35%. In Component 2 students respond to a theme contained in a stimulus paper provided by CCEA. This involves students producing an outcome during two exam days. This unit is worth 40%.
AS
At AS students complete 2 units. All students explore personal ideas in relation to a set theme provided by CCEA. Each unit is worth 50%. In Unit 1: Experimental Portfolio, students are required to explore ideas and experiment with a range of media and techniques. In Unit 2: Personal Outcome, students are required to bring their experiments to a final outcome informed by contextual references.
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A2
At A2 students complete 2 units. All students explore personal ideas in relation to a set theme provided by CCEA. In Unit 1: Personal and Critical Investigation, students are required to explore ideas and experiment with a range of media and techniques. This unit also includes a written element consisting of 1000 - 2000 words which should investigate a credible artist/craftsperson/designer or movement and relate to the students own practical work. The Personal and Critical Investigation represents 60% of A2 Level and 20% of this is awarded for the Written Investigation. In Unit 2: Thematic Outcome, students are required to bring their investigations and experiments to a final outcome informed by contextual references.
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What we do well
We offer a wide variety of media and techniques in a range of disciplines from the areas of fine art, craft and design.
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Our school has been represented at the CCEA True Colours exhibition in the Ulster Museum. The exhibition showcases outstanding GCSE and A Level work from all across Northern Ireland.
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We have received awards from the Integrated Education Fund: Carson Bursary in acknowledgement of outstanding work. These awards have enabled us to purchase state of the art digital drawing equipment, light boxes, digital cameras and a heat press
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We encourage our students to participate in a range of local and national competitions. Students have won awards for the Newry Mourne and Down District Council environmental calendar competition.
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Extra-curricular offer
On a weekly basis we offer after school support classes for GCSE and A Level students.
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We maintain strong links with community arts providers and actively encourage students to take advantage of the extensive range of workshops available in the local area.