Aims
Art and Design is a vast subject which is relevant to virtually aspect of our lives. At Cambridge House we aim to make Art accessible, enjoyable and interesting for everyone. Art is not just for those who are naturally good at drawing - we provide an extremely varied curriculum that is intended to help all pupils discover their own unique creative abilities and develop these in ways that will add to your life. Of course we will also help you develop your drawing skills as well because, the truth is, anyone can learn to draw well if they are correctly guided on how to go about it and then practise.
Key Stage 3
The Key Stage 3 Art Curriculum will give you experience in working with a wide variety of materials and processes, through a range of different themes and projects that will help you begin to see the possibilities of the subject. The large, bright art rooms are well equipped and feature changing exhibitions of pupils’ work The three art staff have all worked professionally in the Art and Design industry and have a wealth of teaching experience.
Year 8 Projects
Face to Face
Aboriginal Art and Culture
Medieval Armour and Weapons
Year 9 Projects
Water World
Funky Fish
Mask Making
Year 10 Projects
Still Life and Landscape
60s and 70s Fashion and Culture
People Pots
GCSE, AS and A2
At Key Stages 4 and 5 we follow the CCEA GCSE and GCE programmes of study and our students continually achieve excellent results. Pupils are given as much freedom as possible in their choice of subject matter and individual development. Cambridge House pupils have often been placed among the top entries in Northern Ireland and feature very regularly in the CCEA ‘true colours’ exhibition. Over the years our students have won many awards and prizes and have won high profile competitions outright such as the Translink ‘Ulster in Bloom Art Competition and ‘Junk Kouture’ Fashion.
Extra-Curricular
The Key Stage 3 Art Club meets on Monday afternoons from 3.20 – 4.30pm and allows pupils to build on the creative experiences offered in class, or alternatively the freedom to do something totally different.
Study Support is offered up to three days per week after school for KS4 and 5 pupils on a drop-in basis to assist with their coursework and examination units.
We also offer other activities like painting sets for school drama/musical productions and producing art work for temporary or permanent exhibition around the school.
Gallery trips and visits from practising professionals and workshop providers are a key part of the delivery of our course programmes.
Careers – Creating Futures
Art has existed as long as mankind. It is relevant to many types of careers because of the wide range of skills which it fosters. The subject plays a crucial role in helping develop the whole brain – it strengthens focus and attention, develops hand-eye co-ordination, problem-solving abilities, creativity and awakens the senses. It supports emotional intelligence and self-expression, it builds self-esteem and reaches across cultural barriers to strengthen community relations. It is also big business, as every man-made product, from a staple to a space station, has to be designed before it is made. Artists and designers are at the core of the multi-billion pound film and games industry. Past pupils from Cambridge House are now involved in this exciting sphere of work.
Approximately 50% of our A Level Art pupils go on each year to study Art and Design in higher education and many are now enjoying successful careers within the industry. We enjoy keeping in touch with our past pupils and sharing in their successes.
We like to think that this is a life-changing department, where pupils will be inspired and enabled to achieve great things in the future. Overall we hope to help you discover and develop your talents and make your experience of Art exciting and unforgettable!
Check out some of our pupils’ art work in the Art Department Gallery.
Staff
Mr J. Maybin - Head of Department
Mrs F. Lockhart
Mrs P. Rea