S3 Art and Design Report Comments (Scotland)

Art and design covers recording from observation and imagination in a sketchbook, exploring media, techniques and the visual elements, developing expressive work and design work to a brief, responding to artists and designers, and evaluating work with art and design vocabulary.

Below are 13 sample sentences for S3: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Secure / Consolidating / Developing / Beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 288 art and design sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.

Jump to: Secure · Consolidating · Developing · Beginning · Writing tips

Student name Pronouns

Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Secure S

Strengths

[Name] uses the visual elements with sensitivity to express complex ideas, such as social or emotional themes, and explains each choice clearly.
In graphic design tasks, [Name] combines lettering and imagery with flair, creating clear, eye-catching layouts that suit the intended audience.

Next steps:

Responding to a more complex design brief with several constraints, such as cost, materials and target audience, would stretch [Name]'s problem solving.

Consolidating C

Strengths

[Name] combines the visual elements thoughtfully to express ideas about a theme, and is increasingly able to explain the choices made.
[Name] creates expressive work that communicates a clear idea or feeling, choosing imagery and colour that suit the theme.

Next steps:

Writing short evaluations that judge how successfully the chosen materials communicate the intended mood will help [Name] reflect more deeply.

Developing D

Strengths

[Name] writes short evaluations naming a strength and an improvement, and with a model to follow is getting better at justifying each point.
When working to a design brief, [Name] produces a few ideas and, with help from the teacher, picks one that meets the main requirements.

Next steps:

Planning each longer piece on a simple timeline agreed with the teacher will help [Name] complete every stage and leave time to refine it.

Beginning B

Strengths

When guided by the teacher, [Name] is starting to use colour, line and shape on purpose to show ideas about a theme.
[Name] is beginning to work to a design brief, and with a checklist can include the main things the brief asks for.

Next steps:

Trying a layered digital collage for a chosen audience, with a step-by-step guide, will help [Name] combine image, colour and lettering purposefully.

Support at home

Making rubbings of textured surfaces around the house with a pencil and scrap paper is a quick, free way to explore texture.

How to write art and design comments for S3

In S3, describe how the pupil develops an idea over several stages, from research and first sketches to a refined final piece. A target such as recording two or three alternatives before choosing one is concrete.
For design work to a brief, mention whether the pupil considers the user and the requirements of the brief, and judges ideas against them. Suggest one step, such as writing short design notes beside each idea.
Evaluation matters more in S3. Note whether the pupil uses art and design vocabulary to explain what works and what could improve, in their own work and in others', and set a target to justify one judgement in detail.

Watch out: Avoid praising talent or neatness alone. Describe what the pupil does, such as building tone gradually or developing a design through several versions, so parents and carers see a skill that can keep growing.

The four levels describe how secure, accurate and independent the learning is in what has been taught, never a CfE level. Secure suits detailed, accurate work applied to unfamiliar tasks; Consolidating suits a sound grasp with occasional guidance; Developing suits sometimes, or with a model or worked example; Beginning names what is starting to show and the support that helps. Show the level through the work rather than writing the level word.

What Art and Design covers

In these comments, art and design covers these behaviours:

records from observation and imagination through drawing and a sketchbook
explores media, materials, techniques and the visual elements
develops and refines ideas, including design work to a brief
researches and responds to the work of artists and designers
evaluates own and others' work using art and design vocabulary

More Scottish secondary subjects comments

How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.