In the National 4 Art and Design course learners will experiment with using art and design materials, techniques and/or technology in creative and expressive ways.

Learners will develop their critical thinking skills as they develop and produce their own creative work and develop their understanding of art and design practice.

At the Academy learners will be in a mixed class with National 4 and National 5 pupils. Learners will produce one expressive and one design portfolio and must produce critical evidence to pass.

How is National 4 different from National 5?

• National 4 is internally assessed by the learners school.

• National 4 pupils do not sit a critical exam but must produce critical evidence  in class to pass.

Timeline

• You will have 5 periods of Art and Design.

• 2 double periods of practical lessons and 1 period of Critical.

• June – December Expressive Portfolio.

• December – March Design Portfolio.

• January - Practical Prelim.

Entry Requirements for Nat4

• It is recommended that you have taken art in S3 and are working in or have achieved a level 3.

Nat4 Progression Routes

• NPA Art and Design.

• National 5 Art and Design.

Transferrable Skills

1. Creativity and Problem-Solving: Generating and refining ideas.

2. Communication Skills: Expressing concepts visually and verbally.

3. Time Management: Organizing tasks and meeting deadlines.

4. Critical Thinking: Evaluating and improving work based on feedback.

5. Technical Proficiency: Using materials, tools, and techniques effectively.

Opportunities within Art and Design

• Becoming a Creative Arts Captain.

• Showcasing your artwork at school Exhibitions.

Extra Curricular options

As an Art Captain, you have the opportunity to support BGE pupils in art clubs during lunchtime or after school by:

• Guiding and inspiring younger students in their creative projects.

• Sharing techniques and encouraging artistic exploration.

• Leading engaging and inclusive art activities.

• Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all participants.

• Building leadership and mentoring skills while promoting a passion for art.

National 4 Design Repeat pattern

The National 5 Art and Design course combines investigative and practical learning, focusing on art and design practice.  

Learners explore artists' and designers' work, develop their own creative processes, and reflect on their expressive and design portfolios.

The course includes three areas of study:

Expressive: 

Candidates plan, research, and create expressive work based on a theme or stimulus. They learn about artists’ practices and the influences on their work, producing 2D/3D drawings and studies that lead to a final piece. Reflection and evaluation of the creative process and visual qualities are key.

Design: 

Candidates develop creative design work in response to a brief. They explore designers' practices and influences, conduct market research, and create 2D/3D material to develop a design solution. Reflection and evaluation focus on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the work.

Critical :

The question paper assesses the learners ability to respond to prompts and images, demonstrate knowledge of artists’ and designers’ work, and comment on how social, cultural, and other influences affect their practice. It also tests the use of appropriate art and design vocabulary to discuss expressive elements. 

Timeline:

• You will have 5 periods of Art and Design.

• 2 double periods of practical lessons and 1 period of critical.

• June – December Expressive Portfolio.

• December – March Design Portfolio.

• January - Critical and Practical Prelim.

• May - Critical Exam.

Entry Requirements for National 5:

• It is recommended that you have taken art in S3 and are working in or have achieved a level 4.

• It is recommended that you are taking or have achieved National 5 English.

National 5 Progression Routes:

• Higher Art and Design.

• Higher Photography.

Transferrable Skills:

1. Creativity and Problem-Solving: Generating and refining ideas.

2. Communication Skills: Expressing concepts visually and verbally.

3. Time Management: Organizing tasks and meeting deadlines.

4. Critical Thinking: Evaluating and improving work based on feedback.

5. Technical Proficiency: Using materials, tools, and techniques effectively.

Opportunities within Art and Design:

• Becoming a Creative Arts Captain.

• Showcasing your artwork at school Exhibitions.

Extra Curricular options:

As an Art Captain, you have the opportunity to support BGE pupils in art clubs during lunchtime or after school by:

• Guiding and inspiring younger students in their creative projects.

• Sharing techniques and encouraging artistic exploration.

• Leading engaging and inclusive art activities.

• Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all participants.

• Building leadership and mentoring skills while promoting a passion for art.

Pupil Examples

The Higher Art and Design course combines investigative and practical learning, focusing on art and design practice.  

Learners explore artists' and designers' work, develop their own creative processes, and reflect on their expressive and design portfolios.

The course includes three areas of study:

Expressive: 

Candidates plan, research, and create expressive work based on a theme or stimulus. They learn about artists’ practices and the influences on their work, producing 2D/3D drawings and studies that lead to a final piece. Reflection and evaluation of the creative process and visual qualities are key.

Design: 

Candidates develop creative design work in response to a brief. They explore designers' practices and influences, conduct market research, and create 2D/3D material to develop a design solution. Reflection and evaluation focus on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the work.

Critical :

The question paper assesses the learners ability to respond to prompts and images, demonstrate knowledge of artists’ and designers’ work, and comment on how social, cultural, and other influences affect their practice. It also tests the use of appropriate art and design vocabulary to discuss expressive elements. 

Timeline:

• You will have 5 periods of Art and Design.

• 2 double periods of practical lessons and 1 period of critical.

• June – December Expressive Portfolio.

• December – March Design Portfolio.

• January - Critical and Practical Prelim.

• May - Critical Exam.

Entry Requirements for Higher

• It is recommended that you have previously achieved National 5 Art and Design and National 5 English with a grade higher than a D.

Higher Art and Design Progression Routes:

• Advanced Higher Art and Design.

• Higher Photography.

Transferable Skills:

1. Creativity and Problem-Solving: Generating and refining ideas.

2. Communication Skills: Expressing concepts visually and verbally.

3. Time Management: Organising tasks and meeting deadlines.

4. Critical Thinking: Evaluating and improving work based on feedback.

5. Technical Proficiency: Using materials, tools, and techniques effectively.

Opportunities within Art and Design:

• Becoming a Creative Arts Captain.

• Showcasing your artwork at school Exhibitions.

• Class trips to Art Galleries and Gray's School of Art Degree Show.

Extra Curricular options:

As an Art Captain, you have the opportunity to support BGE pupils in art clubs during lunchtime or after school by:

• Guiding and inspiring younger students in their creative projects.

• Sharing techniques and encouraging artistic exploration.

• Leading engaging and inclusive art activities.

• Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all participants.

• Building leadership and mentoring skills while promoting a passion for art.

Pupil Examples

The Advanced Higher Art and Design course provides a broad, investigative and practical experience of Expressive Art or Design. Creativity is the key focus. 

Expressive Art

The course combines investigative and practical learning with knowledge and understanding of expressive art practice. Learners develop a range of expressive art techniques and creative skills. 

Learners select a theme or stimulus for their portfolio. They follow a creative process to develop expressive art ideas and resolve and realise artworks which are influenced by their investigation into art practice. 

The course includes two areas of study:

Expressive Portfolio: 

Candidates plan, research, and create expressive work based on a theme or stimulus. They learn about artists’ practices and the influences on their work, producing 2D/3D drawings and studies that lead to a final piece. Reflection and evaluation of the creative process and visual qualities are key.

Critical :

Learners research expressive art contexts related to their theme or stimulus. They learn about expressive art practice by investigating how artists respond creatively to themes. 

Learners explore how artists integrate visual stimuli and other information from a variety of sources. 

Learners apply their understanding of expressive art practice while responding to a theme or stimulus to communicate their thoughts and ideas. 

Unlike National 5 or Higher Art and Design there is no critical exam. Instead learners produce a contextual analysis of a selected artwork by discussing related contexts and analysing their impact on the features of the artwork. 

Candidates also reflect on and evaluate their creative decisions and artwork. 

Timeline:

• You will have 5 periods of Art and Design.

• 2 double periods of practical lessons and 1 period of critical.

• June – May Expressive portfolio.

• June - May Contextual analysis.

• It is recommended that you use your free periods to independently work on your portfolio and contextual analysis. There is an Advanced Higher space in the Art department which is exclusive to this subject. 

Entry Requirements for Advanced Higher

• It is recommended that you have previously achieved Higher Art and Design and Higher English. 

• You must be dedicated and be able to work independently.

Advanced Higher Art and Design Progression Routes:

• Higher Photography

• Pathways to further education studies in fields like Art, Design, Fashion, and Contemporary Art Practice, or to secure employment in the Creative Industries. 

Transferable Skills:

1. Creativity and Problem-Solving: Generating and refining ideas.

2. Communication Skills: Expressing concepts visually and verbally.

3. Time Management: Organising tasks and meeting deadlines.

4. Critical Thinking: Evaluating and improving work based on feedback.

5. Technical Proficiency: Using materials, tools, and techniques effectively.

Opportunities within Art and Design:

• Becoming a Creative Arts Captain.

• Showcasing your artwork at school Exhibitions.

• Class trips to Art Galleries and Gray's School of Art Degree Show.

Extra Curricular options:

As an Art Captain, you have the opportunity to support BGE pupils in art clubs during lunchtime or after school by:

• Guiding and inspiring younger students in their creative projects.

• Sharing techniques and encouraging artistic exploration.

• Leading engaging and inclusive art activities.

• Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all participants.

• Building leadership and mentoring skills while promoting a passion for art.

Pupil Examples

The Advanced Higher Art and Design course provides a broad, investigative and practical experience of Expressive Art or Design. Creativity is the key focus. 

Design

The course combines investigative and practical learning with knowledge and understanding of design practice. Learners develop a range of design techniques and creative skills 

The course includes two areas of study:

Design Portfolio: 

Learners select a design brief for their portfolio. They follow a design process to develop design ideas and resolve and realise solutions which are influenced by their investigation into design practice. Reflection and evaluation of the creative process and design qualities are key.

Critical :

Unlike National 5 or Higher Art and Design there is no critical exam. Instead learners produce a contextual analysis of a selected design work by discussing related contexts and analysing their impact on the features of the design work. 

Candidates also reflect on and evaluate their creative decisions and design work. 

Timeline:

• You will have 5 periods of Art and Design.

• 2 double periods of practical lessons and 1 period of critical.

• June – May Expressive portfolio.

• June - May Contextual analysis.

• It is recommended that you use your free periods to independently work on your portfolio and contextual analysis. There is an Advanced Higher space in the Art department which is exclusive to this subject. 

Entry Requirements for Advanced Higher

• It is recommended that you have previously achieved Higher Art and Design and Higher English. 

• You must be dedicated and be able to work independently.

Advanced Higher Art and Design Progression Routes:

• Higher Photography

• Pathways to further education studies in fields like Art, Design, Fashion, and Contemporary Art Practice, or to secure employment in the Creative Industries. 

Transferable Skills:

1. Creativity and Problem-Solving: Generating and refining ideas.

2. Communication Skills: Expressing concepts visually and verbally.

3. Time Management: Organising tasks and meeting deadlines.

4. Critical Thinking: Evaluating and improving work based on feedback.

5. Technical Proficiency: Using materials, tools, and techniques effectively.

Opportunities within Art and Design:

• Becoming a Creative Arts Captain.

• Showcasing your artwork at school Exhibitions.

• Class trips to Art Galleries and Gray's School of Art Degree Show.

Extra Curricular options:

As an Art Captain, you have the opportunity to support BGE pupils in art clubs during lunchtime or after school by:

• Guiding and inspiring younger students in their creative projects.

• Sharing techniques and encouraging artistic exploration.

• Leading engaging and inclusive art activities.

• Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all participants.

• Building leadership and mentoring skills while promoting a passion for art.

Pupil Examples