Art & Design
Welcome to the Vibrant World of De La Salle's Art & Design!
The Art & Design Department is a dynamic hub for creative expression. Our primary goal is to nurture students' technical skills, critical thinking, and individual creativity, equipping them with the visual language and digital proficiency necessary for success in further education and the creative industries. What makes our department truly stand out is our dual-specialism focus, which not only develops traditional artistic skills but also positions us at the forefront of contemporary media education, offering a comprehensive and career-relevant creative curriculum unique to our school. We are a dynamic team dedicated to providing a safe, creative space for every student to learn new skills and discover their unique artistic voice.
Key Stage 3
Step into the energetic Key Stage 3 Art & Design at De La Salle College! Here, every student from Year 8 is invited to embark on a three-year creative journey, diving headfirst into an exciting mix of 2D and 3D techniques. You'll unleash your potential by mastering skills like drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, and ceramics, alongside crucial Critical and Contextual Studies. Our engaging Key Stage 3 themes, from 'Food' in Year 8 to 'Under the Sea' in Year 9 and 'Portraiture and Natural Form' in Year 10, provide the perfect launchpad for original, expressive work. Students have the option to continue their passion through GCSE and A-Level Art & Design and A-Level Photography.
A-Level Animation student achieved 4th place in the CCEA Moving Image Arts Showcase. Their work was proudly screened on the big screen at Cineworld, Odyssey, Belfast, celebrating their creativity and talent.
GCSE
CCEA GCSE Art & Design
Unlock your creativity with the CCEA GCSE Art & Design course! This qualification develops creative expression, practical skills, and critical thinking.
The course is divided into two key units:
Unit 1: The Core Portfolio (60%) – Creative Journey
This unit spans four terms, focusing on becoming a master of making. You'll experiment with diverse media: drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, printmaking, and digital media.
You Will: Explore themes, develop original ideas, and document your artistic process from start to finish.
Focus: Sustained, in-depth artistic growth and skillful exploration.
Unit 2: Working to a Stimulus (40%) – The Big Finish
Tackle an externally set theme to demonstrate creative independence.
Prep Period: Research, sketch, and plan your final response (15+ hours).
The 10-Hour Final Outcome: Create a single, high-impact final piece (or series) in a focused, exam-style setting.
GCSE Support: Keep Creating!
The Art Studio (S2) is open to ALL Key Stage 4 students for portfolio work, catch-up, or staff guidance.
When: Mondays and Thursdays after school, 3:05 PM - 4:00 PM.
Progression Routes:
This qualification provides a strong foundation for further study and careers in the Creative and Cultural Industries.
GCE A Level in Art and Design (e.g., Fine Art, Photography)
Level 3 Vocational Courses (e.g., BTEC National Diploma)
Ready to make your mark? Join us!
A Level
CCEA A-Level Art & Design
Take your creativity to the Advanced Level! The CCEA GCE Art & Design course is designed for serious, independent artists ready to develop intellectual depth, masterful practical skills, and a compelling personal artistic voice.
The full A-Level is a two-year journey (AS in Year 13, A2 in Year 14).
Year 13 (AS Level: 40% of Final A-Level)
Unit AS 1: Experimental Portfolio (20% of A-Level)
This is your year of intensive visual research and experimentation! You will explore a given theme, broadening your expertise across various media (Fine Art, Photography, Textiles, 3D Design—you choose your focus!).
The Goal: Develop, explore, and record ideas. No final outcome is required—this unit is all about the PROCESS and building a strong foundation.
Unit AS 2: Personal Response (20% of A-Level)
Time to consolidate your learning! This unit stems directly from the themes and materials explored in AS 1.
The Challenge: Produce a sophisticated, resolved final outcome over a supervised time period, demonstrating your ability to bring your experimental ideas to a high-quality conclusion.
Year 14 (A2 Level: 60% of Final A-Level)
Unit A2 1: Personal and Critical Investigation (36% of A-Level)
This is the pinnacle of independent study! You will select a theme and conduct a deep dive that integrates practical work with theoretical research.
The Focus: A theme-based practical response seamlessly linked to a written investigation (1000–3000 words). This unit develops your ability to critique, analyse, and articulate your artistic intentions.
Unit A2 2: Thematic Outcome (24% of A-Level)
The grand finale! Using the knowledge and skills gained from your Personal Investigation, you will respond to a final externally set theme.
The Outcome: A single, ambitious, high-quality finished piece or series, demonstrating mastery and a refined personal style.
A-Level Art & Design: Your Pathway to the Creative Economy
The A-Level Art & Design qualification is a rigorous course designed to bridge school study with Higher Education and the Creative Industries.
Focus, Frame, Fire: Master the Lens with OCR Level 3 Photography
Step out from behind the screen and into the studio! This isn't just about taking pictures; it’s about visual revolution. From the rugged, windswept cliffs of Ireland to the dark, distorted corridors of a horror-inspired masterpiece, the OCR Level 3 Photography course challenges you to stop seeing and start observing. Whether you’re crafting a surreal wonderland or capturing the raw emotion of a portrait, this is where your journey from amateur to visual storyteller begins.
Unleash your creative vision and master the art of visual storytelling with our A-Level OCR Photography course! This dynamic program transforms students from casual snappers into technical artists, beginning in Year 13 with an intensive dive into the mechanics of the digital camera. You’ll apply these professional skills to capture the soul of the Emerald Isle through a bespoke postcard collection, followed by an exploration of the raw beauty and scale of the environment in our landscape photography unit.
The journey intensifies in Year 14, where we push the boundaries of reality. You will harness advanced digital technology and graphic design techniques to construct a surreal Alice in Wonderland promotional poster and a spine-chilling horror creation that tests the limits of your imagination. Finally, you’ll master the intimate art of portraiture, learning how to manipulate light and shadow to capture the human essence. Whether you are aiming for a career in the creative industries or simply want to see the world through a different lens, this course provides the tools to turn your imagination into high-definition reality.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Extra-curricular
Ignite your creativity! The Art Department offers exciting extracurriculars to learn new skills, make friends, and impact the school.
Key Stage 3 Art Club
Every Thursday in S5, the Art Club is a creative powerhouse:
Stage Craft & Set Design: Learn set design and help build/paint spectacular sets for annual school shows. Ultimate team effort!
Stop Motion Animation: Bring drawings to life! Intro to stop motion techniques.
Skill Development: Develop painting and drawing skills with challenging projects.
Teamwork: Meet new friends who share your passion.
OCR Photography: Adventure Awaits!
Dedicated OCR Photography students, grab your cameras for our annual, highly-anticipated photography trips! Tell a story with your lens:
Locations: Explore stunning historical and urban backdrops like Shawsbridge, Hillsborough Castle, and Belfast City Centre.
Project Focus: Take incredible photos for exciting briefs:
"Alice in Wonderland" Posters
Horror Photography (mastering light/composition)
Postcards (capturing local essence)