Great Art college for 14 year old in the UK

I teach in FE art and design - for about 20 years.
There are a few levels of courses available at post 16.

Level 1 - very basic /introductory. A Level 2 Diploma, which is equivalent to 5 GCSEs and would provide a good grounding all round. A Level 3 Dipoma, which is equivalent to A Levels.
If you do a general art and design course, you can't choose to just draw- modules will be included in 2D/3D and time based or lens-based media in most specifications (depends on the course exam board - BTEc has slightly more choice then UAL awarding body, so some colleges may focus more on 2D only)

There are english and maths study requirements on all statefunded education in the uk - as a prior poster states, if a student hasn't yet achieved a grade 4 or better GCSE eng/maths then continuing study of that is compulsory. Also, bear in mind that studying art also means you are required to write and reflect on your work, research into artists and designers, especially at Level 3.

I haven't seen the other thread where disabilties are mentioned but it's worth investigating if an Education health care plan (EHCP) is applicable in his case. This would give you the rights to specific support if needed to access mainstream education eg a learning support assistant.

It's not the question you asked but just dropping in that it's possible to study Animation at A Level, alongside Art. https://www.brock.ac.uk/course/animation-a-level/

Sixth forms set their own entry requirements but needing 5+ at grade 4 or 5 or more, including maths and English, is common. State schools can be very reluctant to allow part time timetables until GCSEs are completed because there are not always spare staff to supervise students who are not in lessons. That said there can be more flexibility if you can show it's a need, not a preference. I think this would be hard to get in place before start of Y10 though.

Unfortunately it's very difficult to specialise that early unless you are on an accelerated path where you have done all your GCSEs already.

I have a DD who is in normal school, SEN and has a very specialised music focus. She has a bespoke timetable at school and takes fewer GCSEs but even though her school are extremely flexible, it took quite a bit of rejigging to make it all work, and she has to do extra PE sessions where there are timetable gaps (luckily she really likes PE but would be hell for a lot of kids.)

She's going straight to tertiary level at 16 - but she already has L4 qualifications and has worked with the college for several years already, so they know her, know her maturity levels and have been guiding her work for a long time.

I was at art college myself and it's unlikely your son would be able to just focus on anime from day one. The colleges are all about encouraging experimentation and breadth.

There are lots of schools in the UK with fantastic art departments - worth looking for one where he could perhaps do a mix of GCSEs and BTECs. He would definitely be able to take 2 creative options, but Sciences, English Lit/Lang, Maths are not optional, and a lot of schools insist on a humanity, RE and an MFL as well.

@GreenYellowTurtle My DC is currently doing an Art Foundation course prior to doing an Illustration degree. They have 10 GCSEs and 3 A levels. If your DS is looking to pursue a career in Manga art, then this might be the route to go (my DC has both GCSE and A level art, as do many on their course). An Art Foundation course is often a pre requisite for an Art degree (certainly at some of the better thought of universities).

The benefits of this mean that the specialist art colleges and universities have tried and tested routes into the creative world/jobs! They have the connections needed. This is so important.

Level 3 Art Foundation courses are only post 16 (they might be post 18) and require at least 4 GCSEs (some want much more, including A levels or equivalent).

Lastly, yes, schools can certainly insist on a certain number of GCSEs being taken, regardless of your views as a parent. Dropping one or even two might be possible but often it isn’t. Problems with supervision of students who aren’t taking a certain subject, as well as performance in league tables, plays a part.

Yes I agree - looking at that spec, it is clear it is intended to run alongside school - it talks about being a separate programme designed to support GCSE studies in school - and refers to a student’s home school. It's not a substitute for taking GCSEs in a mainstream school @GreenYellowTurtle

That Oxford course (which may not actually be in Oxford) is very much part time OP. You'll be expected to either continue to home school him for the core subjects (at a minimum) or he can attend a local secondary school which will offer this course in addition to the GCSEs. Generally speaking he will be able to specialise in art more once he is 16 and in year 12. However most courses will require some GCSEs and he will be expected to develop his skills as an all round artist, including a sound knowledge of the history of art, before specialising.

make his life unbearable studying for subjects, such as History, which he will never use again

Human beings use History every single day. Lack of even basic (GCSE level) experience of thinking about the past means a person will struggle to understand ‘the bigger picture’. And I cannot imagine a single art school in the country would not base its teaching on the History of Art.

This seems ro be as an adjunct to a normal school place, rather than full-time 14-16 education?

@GreenYellowTurtle careful with the Activate Learning college - it's a group of colleges in different towns and not all subjects are run at all branches.
Check the course you like the look of is actually where you decide to move to (ie don't move to Oxford if the course is at Bicester).

Not sure if anyone has mentioned the National Saturday Club yet which has branches all over the country. saturday-club.org/subject/art-design/ saturday-club.org/subject/art-design/]]]]

dd went to one from 14yo and loved it. She had so many opportunities from it including an all expenses paid summer in Beijing studying art and design at a university there. Trips and exhibitions in London. Really expanded her art skills.

I would be a little cautious and suggest you ask fairly probing questions about attainment and progression. The pupils on such programmes are often those who have not succeeded in mainstream education, due to a variety of reasons, and not necessarily be committed to whatever strand they are placed in or be working at the level of your ds. Every course advertised may not run each year and it may not be possible to enrol mid year.

Yep it sounds really amazing if it’s your thing!

@clary I don't know the actual qualification/course names but I know one teen at The Brit who did animation/illustration and another did some kind of technical (ie behind the scenes) thing.
I'm slightly jealous of those who get to go there.

Every day is a school day here 😀 thanks all

https://www.utcsheffield.org.uk/city/about/
There are some UTCs that focus on digital arts

BRIT are very similar to BOA. They offer a Visual Arts & Design pathway.

"Creative and passionate students are welcomed to the Visual Arts and Design department. You will study traditional and contemporary techniques in visual arts, sculpture, drawing and painting, and will also have the opportunity to explore a variety of specialist areas including fashion, illustration, community art, textiles, photography, digital design, graphic design, film making and fine art.

If you join us at age 14 you will learn and develop your knowledge of the basics of drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, animation, fashion, illustration and textiles.
As you develop through the course you also have the opportunity to choose a specialism. Once you finish your studies you will achieve a BTEC Tech Award in Art and Design Practice, equivalent to GCSE 9-4."

Tbf the poster who said Brit school hastily retracted the suggestion! Not trying to have a go at anyone. I think the op has to be realistic about what’s achievable - I’m sure pps agree with that.

Yes Brit is although there are support role strands as well as performance.

I thought the Brit School was performing arts? Apologies if I am wrong

No one has reccomeonded performing art schools. Schools like BOA which were talked about are creative, digital & performing arts. There is a pathway specifically for visual art & design. What it means is that a student can spend more time on that subject than usual & go beyond the usual curriculum, alongside a clutch of other GCSEs.

However it is very competitive to get in & candidates have to take part in an aptitude workshop. They can’t prepare in advance.

Hi @GreenYellowTurtle you have had lots of good advice from ppl who know about art in secondary schools. I would caution against an all-art curriculum from age 14, even if it were possible.

He needs GCSEs in maths, English language and literature, sciences (x 2 or 3) and I would also advise another one to give him a set of six (so that could be art). Are you now planning to HE in England? It might be an idea.

On your other thread you mention Buxton (a rather isolated town that bears the brunt of the Derbyshire winters – maybe not ideal for access to London) and Wellingborough – I don't know that at all but it is perhaps a better area for you, as in closer to London. How soon are you planning to come to the UK?

Edited to add: I agree btw that the suggestions of performing arts schools are not really ideal for someone whose artistic bent is in illustration!

There are support groups for those who have been to Steiner schools - major red flag.