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Staff

• Ms P. Cumming (PT)
  
• Mr K. Johnstone (PT)
• Ms W. MacDonald
• Ms S. Cordiner
• Ms K. Jamieson
  

Physical Working Environment

The Art Department is located on the third floor with wonderful views across Edinburgh. Four general art classrooms and a specialist pottery/sixth year studio are arranged around a large central exhibition area which doubles as additional teaching space. There are also several store cupboards, art library, and staff base. All rooms are equipped with at least one computer with access to the internet and computer aided design. Media Studies is also located on this floor and possesses a complete suite of computers.

The layout of the rooms allows for a flexible approach to teaching and learning with classes working in an open plan or more traditional classroom environment when required. Team teaching often takes place and the atmosphere created is one of a relaxed and energized nature.

The department is continually involved in providing new displays of students’ work within the school and the local community; producing props for school productions; and currently creating murals for the house and dining areas.

Courses

The department offers the full range of courses from 5-14 to Standard Grade; Intermediate 1 and 2, Higher, Advanced Higher Art and Design; plus a sixth year portfolio course.

All students in S1 receive 2 hours of Art and Design per week, often delivered by two different members of staff thus providing students with a wide range of experience. The course in S2 is concentrated into 1 hour per week and builds on this experience by following the format of the Standard Grade syllabus.

Art is a popular option in the 3rd year and students are taught at Standard Grade in mixed ability classes preparing a portfolio of design work including computer aided design; expressive work including painting, printmaking and sculpture; and two critical essays on the work of artists and designers.

A new Intermediate 1 course in art and design is being offered for the first time this year to students in S5 and S6. This course will incorporate the use of digital photography to enable students gather effective imagery for there projects.

Art and Design is also offered at Intermediate 2 and Higher where students are able to choose from a variety of design disciplines including product, ceramics, graphics, jewellery and textiles.

Many seniors work in the department during their own time as well as when timetabled for Advanced higher or Portfolio Art. Both these courses are tailor made to the individual students who work independently in the studio provided. Their presence throughout the day adds to the ‘art college’ atmosphere of the department. Many of them gain successful entry into art colleges each year.