Art and Design & Photography

S1, S2 & S3

Pupils in S1, S2 and S3 will continue to build upon and develop the skills they have learned through their experiences in the Art department during Primary stages.  

In S1, S2 and S3 learning is experienced in four areas: Expressive activities, Design activities, Photography, and Critical Evaluation of their own work and the work of Artists and Designers to put their own creativity into a wider context. In Art & Design, materials and techniques will include, but are not limited to traditional painting and drawing, printmaking, ceramics, 3D design and sculpture. S3 Photography pupils will learn new techniques in image-making and will experience traditional Photography techniques including film photography and darkroom processing techniques. Pupils will also have the opportunity to experience inter-disciplinary learning through Art projects that are linked to work carried out in other subject areas. 

At S3 stage, pupils are particularly encouraged to drive their own creative process and express themselves in a more meaningful way. They are given more freedom to explore their own ideas and develop their own style.  

S4 Art & Design 

Senior pupils who choose Art and Design at National 4 or 5 will complete portfolios of work in Expressive and Design based on their own themes and research, and will develop their critical skills in analysing the work of artists and designers for their written exam. 

S4 NPA Photography

The National Progression Award (NPA) in Photography is open to any S4 pupils interested in developing the skills they encountered in S3 Photography, or pupils who wish to develop new creative skills in this area. The course can be delivered at National 4 or National 5 level, and when complete pupils will also have the opportunity to explore further National 5 Unit passes in a creative NPA of their choice, including Drawing, Painting, Graphic Design, Printmaking and Illustration.