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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Great Art college for 14 year old in the UK

68 replies

GreenYellowTurtle · 19/10/2024 18:00

Hi, we are looking to relocate back to the Uk after 12 years away, and I am looking for good schools for my children, who are ages 12 and 14. My son is a talented manga artist, so ideally I would like to find a school or college that can support that. Does anyone know of any good art colleges? Or more creative secondary schools? We can actually live anywhere (although our budget is tight). Thanks

OP posts:
Soma · 20/10/2024 18:23

Is Manchester an option? They have schools and college which offer Btec art & design.

Scutterbug · 20/10/2024 18:00

BOA in Birmingham might work.

LIZS · 20/10/2024 17:58

Have you checked out the gcse spec for Art? It is far from just free drawing for pleasure, with research and written assessments as well as controlled practicals.

Soma · 20/10/2024 17:54

@GreenYellowTurtle
Hampstead Fine Art (although it is a better experience for 16+)
King Alfred School (Golders Green)
Fortismere in Muswell Hill
Chestnut Grove in Balham
Some of boarding schools are also very good for creative subjects offering, textiles, photography, fine art, DT, graphic design etc.

Original poster
GreenYellowTurtle · 20/10/2024 12:18

Thanks, I checked it out and its very useful x

OP posts:
PhotoDad · 20/10/2024 08:58

I know your DS is only 14, but if you're new to how arts education works in the UK you might want to skim this thread? It's mostly about university but it gives you something to plan for, and there are some people on the thread who know a lot more than I do. (My DD is in the third year at an "art school," i.e. university)

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4795276-art-and-design-at-university-for-past-present-and-future-students-and-parents

OccasionalHope · 20/10/2024 08:53

He can do art at school younger, he just has to do other subjects too.

LIZS · 20/10/2024 08:50

Museums and galleries often run art enrichment programmes.

Original poster
GreenYellowTurtle · 20/10/2024 08:48

Oh thank you thats great, I'll check that out x

OP posts:
BakedAl · 20/10/2024 08:42

There is a specialist arts academy in Birmingham. It is for 14-19 yr

Original poster
GreenYellowTurtle · 20/10/2024 08:34

Oh thanks, that's good to know, that he can do only Art at 16, as that's all he wants to do x

OP posts:
Original poster
GreenYellowTurtle · 19/10/2024 18:37

Okay thanks for this.

OP posts:
clary · 19/10/2024 18:17

Yes I agree with @Needmorelego - focus on getting him a place in a school where he can get a decent set of GCSEs.

You can do art and only art post-16 at college - a friend’s DD did exactly that and then went to uni to study fine art. But there are plenty of other options at that stage.

OccasionalHope · 19/10/2024 18:16

Maybe some out of school art classes?

Needmorelego · 19/10/2024 18:09

@GreenYellowTurtle having just seen your other thread then The Brit school might not be the best for him.
All secondary schools and Post 16 colleges will offer art as a subject. Usually more choice once he gets to 16 and can go to college.
I think you need to look at his other needs for a school rather than focusing on art.
Sorry 🙁

Anicecumberlandsausage · 19/10/2024 18:09

There are "creative" focused schools and acsdemies but it's not the sole focus iyswim? My daughter went to a STEM girls school but ended up on the creative side. She has been to UAL summer school post -16. Other than taking Art GCSEs & A levels at school (alongside other subjects) there's not much room to specialise until post -18 at university.

clary · 19/10/2024 18:03

OP has started another thread on his already. I don't know of many schools, especially outside London, that offer an arts-based curriculum any earlier than post 16 tbh.

Needmorelego · 19/10/2024 18:02

The Brit school in South London is a state school that specialises in performing and visual arts.
It starts from Year 10 (age 14).