S3 Art & Design:
Reporting Window 2

The topics we have covered in this reporting window are:

Expressive / Design

Product Design with Clay – Term Three

S3 learners are currently engaged in a product design unit, creating tic-tac-toe boards using clay. They have been creating detailed representations of their chosen theme while exploring the properties and techniques of working with clay developing a clearer understanding of three-dimensional media.  Learners have developed their design ideas from initial sketches to produce final products, applying the visual elements of form, shape, and texture to create functional and aesthetically pleasing designs. Through this they are improving their ability to translate ideas into tangible objects.

The majority of work covered in S3 Art & Design is based around CfE Level 4 outcomes. The majority of learners at this stage of S3 are working at Fourth B or above. Learners working below this level continue to be offered classroom support with CfE Level 4/3 content to ensure progression in learning.

Working Level and Working Grade descriptions for S3 Art & Design:

Fourth A: Making excellent progress in Art & Design. Learners work well independently and confidently experiment with a range of media and technologies, handling them with excellent control and assurance to create images and objects. Learners consistently apply understanding of the properties of media and of techniques to specific tasks and demonstrate key skills required, showing excellent attention to detail and depth of understanding.  Projects are completed to an excellent standard. Learners are confident in analysing art and design techniques, making informed judgements and expressing their opinions on their own and others’ work confidently. National 5 Art and Design is strongly recommended as one of the main 6 subjects.  

Fourth B: Making good progress in Art & Design. Learners often work well independently and experiment with a range of media and technologies, handling them with good control and assurance to create images and objects. Learners apply good understanding of the properties of media and of techniques to specific tasks and demonstrate key skills required, showing good attention to detail and depth of understanding. Projects are completed to a good standard. Learners can analyse art and design techniques, make informed judgements and express opinions on their own and others’ work well. National 5 Art and Design is strongly recommended as one of the main 6 subjects.  

Fourth C: Making reasonable progress in Art & Design but finds some aspects of the course challenging. Learner’s experiment and handle some media and technologies but can find them challenging to handle them to create images and objects. Learners apply some understanding of techniques to specific tasks and demonstrate some skills required, showing some attention to detail and depth of understanding. Projects are completed to a reasonable standard. Learners are making reasonable progress in analysing art and design techniques, making informed judgements, and expressing their opinions on their own and others’ work but can find often find it challenging. National 5 Art and Design as one of the main 6 subjects would be possible with the right attitude and application.

Fourth D: Making some progress in Art & Design but finds many aspects of the course challenging. Learners can require support with experimenting and handles of materials and technologies to create images and objects. Learners apply basic understanding of techniques to specific tasks and demonstrate basic skills required, showing little attention to detail and depth of understanding. Projects are completed to a basic standard or can often be incomplete. Learners find analysing art and design techniques, making informed judgements and expressing their own opinions on their own and others’ work challenging. National 5 Art and Design as one of the main 6 subjects would be challenging.

Third A to D: While continuing to experience CfE Level 4 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. National 5 Art and Design as one of the main 6 subjects would be challenging.