No of Sets in 2023/ 2024: 1. No of Periods per Week: 7 (2 for Visual Studies)
Department Staff: Ms. Derarca Cullen & Ms. Lynn Murphy.
Art is around us every day, from the design of the shoes we are wearing on our feet to the architectural design of the building in which we sit. The Form V Art Programme brings together Practical Art with Visual Studies. From September 2021 Senior Cycle Art is being taught under a new curriculum specification. The specification is broken down into three areas; Visual Studies (formerly known as Art History), practical coursework, and a timed practical examination based on their coursework. The specification is presented in three interrelated and interdependent strands; ‘create’, ‘research’ and ‘respond’. This curriculum necessitates us to draw on our own experiences of life and to visually respond to the world around us. Primary source research drawing is a fundamental part of how pupils develop ideas for their practical work. Visits to Galleries and Museums are an integral part of studying this subject. |
Brief Summary of Course Content
The course is broken into two main sections;
1. The Practical Art Coursework, and a Practical Examination which relates directly to the practical coursework.
2. The Visual Studies Written Examination.
Pupils receive one Leaving Certificate result which comprises all components of the course.
Artistic disciplines such as painting, drawing, print, clay modelling and batik are explored at Senior Cycle.
Visual Studies requires pupils to choose one area of focus to study from three sections. These sections are ‘Europe and the Wider World’, ‘Ireland and its place in the Wider World’, and ‘Today’s World’. Pupils will experience key skills such as information processing, communicating, being personally effective, working with others, and critical and creative thinking embedded in their learning.
Comparison of Results with National Figures
The Leaving Certificate results achieved by our pupils compare very favourably with national statistics. In 2023 all candidates sat the exam at Higher Level and all pupils were awarded H1, H2 or H3 as their final grade.
Higher Level H1 - 60% (14%Nationally)
Higher Level H2 - 30% (21% Nationally)
Possible Career Areas for which this Subject is Useful/ Essential
The list is endless! Architect, Industrial Design, Web Design, Graphic Artist, Poster Designer, Book Illustrator, Calligrapher, Advertising, Display Design, Cartoonist, Animator, Camera Operator, Fashion Photographer, Fashion Stylist, Makeup Artist, Special Effects, Stage Design, Photographer, Photojournalist, Forensic Photographer, Fine Artist, Ceramicist, Stained Glass Maker, Jewellery Designer, Tattoo Artist, Printmaker, Sculptor, Textiles, Wood Craft, Educator, Art Therapist, Film Director, Film Editor, Film Set Constructor, Art Historian, Art Critic, Antiques Specialist, Restoration, Gallery Curator.....