Art in our school is a dynamic, inclusive, and creative subject where students learn to express themselves, explore ideas, and develop confidence through making. It is a space where imagination, curiosity, and personal voice are valued. Students engage with a wide range of media, techniques, and visual cultures, learning not only how to create, but why art matters in their lives and in the world around them.
Throughout their time studying Art, students develop a rich blend of practical, cognitive, and interpersonal skills. They explore drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, and digital art, while also building creative problem‑solving abilities and visual literacy. Research, experimentation, and reflection are central to the learning process, helping students become resilient, independent thinkers. They also learn collaboratively, sharing ideas, offering feedback, and supporting one another as part of a creative community. Experiences such as artist studies, gallery visits, and opportunities to exhibit their work further enrich their learning.
Our learning approach is grounded in a choice‑based, student‑centred philosophy. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their projects, make meaningful decisions, and develop work that reflects their interests, identities, and experiences. Lessons are practical, active, and process‑driven, with a strong emphasis on exploration and personal expression. Through demonstrations, guided workshops, thematic investigations, and reflective dialogue, students experience a classroom environment that is calm, mindful, and supportive. This approach not only nurtures creativity but also provides an important source of wellbeing in the school day.
Assessment in Art varies across the Junior and Senior Cycles. At Junior Cycle, students complete two Classroom‑Based Assessments: From Process to Realisation and Communicate and Reflect, followed by a final Assessment Task linked to CBA2 in 3rd year.
At Leaving Certificate level, assessment is divided into 50% practical coursework completed over several weeks, a 20% five‑hour practical drawing exam, and a 30% written exam in Art History and Appreciation. This 70/30 split between practical and theory work makes Art a balanced and accessible subject, which may be studied at higher or ordinary level.
Students should choose Art if they enjoy creating, exploring ideas, or expressing themselves. They do not need to be “good at drawing” to succeed; what matters most is curiosity and a willingness to try. Art is a subject where students have genuine ownership of their work, where they can explore themes that matter to them, and where learning happens through making rather than memorising. It offers a sense of calm, focus, and wellbeing, while also developing skills that are valued in fields such as design, architecture, animation, teaching, therapy, marketing, gaming, and many more. Above all, Art gives students a space to be themselves — a subject that celebrates individuality, creativity, and the joy of learning.