S1 Art & Design:
Reporting Window 2

The topics we have covered in this reporting window are:

Expressive – All Classes

·       Landscape – Term Two/ Three

Students have been learning about the science and principles of landscape creation in Art and Design and how to accurately plan, sketch and finalise a 3D landscape piece. Learners have worked independently and collaboratively to explore and understand terms such as, foreground, midground, background, perspective, depth, scale and distance, both literally and figuratively within their artwork. Each learner created their own 3D tri-folded landscape piece, considering perspective, depth and scale to give a realistic effect.

Design – Mrs Hunter’s Classes

·       Repeat Pattern Project – Term Three

This term, learners have been developing their design skills through a creative project that combines observational drawing, imaginative design and digital pattern-making. Learners have produced small analytical drawings of animals or plants, using photographic references to observe line, shape, texture, and form. From these studies, learners were encouraged to apply their imagination—extracting and experimenting with elements of their drawings to create small, original design motifs. Building on this, learners used digital tools to transform their hand-drawn motifs into visually striking repeated and mirrored patterns that were then printed and applied to a paper template. Learners had to be selective and thoughtful in how they traced, cut, and applied their designs, considering the overall visual impact of the final outcome. This project has supported learners development of their practical and digital design skills as well as problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Miss Johnston’s Classes – Term Two/Three

·       Applying the Visual Elements

S1 learners have been furthering their practical knowledge of the visual elements. Students have learned the importance of applying their visual elements knowledge through different art and design areas, mediums materials and in written format. Learners have completed a photography challenge where they worked in cooperative groups to record evidence of each visual element through the lens of one specific colour. Learners then completed a photo editing task where all images were placed together into a photomontage. Learners have also created their own versions of artworks using challenging materials such as oil pastel, which will lead them into a pattern/texture project inspired by artist Mark Hearld in Term 3 - focused on the native bird species of the British Isles.

All S1 – Additional Lesson Mrs Docherty’s classes

·       Visual Elements project

Learners have gained an extra lesson in art and design this term. This extra lesson has been used to develop and build upon learners’ prior knowledge of the main visual elements in art and design. Learners have had the opportunity to create a sketchbook using a range of materials and techniques. In addition to this learners’ have begun to complete word banks and discuss new terminology used in art and design.

As part of this project pupils also completed a tonal assessment artwork. In this assessment pupils were asked to replicate and create a tonal bug artwork using a stippling technique. Once these assessments were completed pupils had the opportunity to self-assess and receive written feedback from their teacher.  

The majority of work covered in S1 Art and Design is based around CfE Level 3 outcomes. The majority of learners at this stage of S1 are working at Third C or above. Learners working below this level continue to be offered classroom support with CfE Level 3 content to ensure progression in learning.

Working Level and Working Grade descriptions for S1 Art:

Third A: Making excellent progress at CfE Level 3. Learners work well independently and can consistently demonstrate key skills required, showing excellent attention to detail and depth of understanding of observational skills, design principles and the use of visual elements within Art & Design.

Third B: Making good progress at CfE Level 3. Learners can often work well independently and can demonstrate good key skills required, showing good attention to detail and depth of understanding of observational skills, design principles and visual elements within Art & Design.

Third C: Making reasonable at CfE Level 3 but finds some aspects of the course challenging. Learners can demonstrate some key skills required but can sometimes lack the knowledge and understanding to implement further skills, showing some understanding of observational skills, design principles and visual elements within Art & Design.

Third D: Making some progress at CfE Level 3 but finds many aspects of the course challenging. Learners can often require support with practical work and reinforcement of key skills. Projects are completed to a basic standard or can often be incomplete within Art & Design.

Second A to D: While continuing to be exposed to CfE Level 3 outcomes the majority of the work can be very challenging, and most tasks require further explanation and to be broken down into smaller, simplified versions in order to make progress and build confidence.

The majority of work covered in S1 Art and Design is based around CfE Level 3 outcomes. The majority of learners at this stage of S1 are working at Third B or above. Learners working below this level continue to be offered classroom support with CfE Level 3 content to ensure progression in learning.