Fortismere or APS for Art/Photography Sixth Form

[rekaculture]

My oldest is going to apply to Fortismere and APS for Art and Photography A Levels (and Textiles in APS) and she’s also considering taking it to higher education. There’s very little information out there about their art departments and open days didn’t really show a whole picture unfortunetely, we also didn’t have the oportunity to talk to the art teachers properly.

Is there anyone who had an artistic child in either schools and could share their opinion? The best scenario would be to be able to speak to someone who had the same dilemma, but I’d be grateful for any info, even at GCSE level. She was Steiner educated for 11 years before we moved (back) to the UK, so in that sense I know Fortismere would be a better fit being more relaxed, independent and chaotic, as she got used to that. But since she’s choosing creative subjects, the academic quality of APS probably doesn’t affect her decision in that sense. She mainly would like to know which art department could support her better if she’s planning to have a creative/artistic path at university as well. Thank you!

My daughter is at Fortismere sixth form, and her father also attended. My daughter is not taking art or photography. But has friends that do, who said they enjoy the course and feel very confident. Recently went to a careers talk at the school, and there were many sessions to choose from, there were many art and photography sessions to attend so they definitely take it seriously. My daughter’s friend is round at ours a lot and shows us her portfolio and I must say looks very impressive and she said she loves it. The school itself is very artsy, when I pick my daughter up sometimes some of the outfits of the kids coming out, you’d think it was London fashion week! The school does expect the kids to be independent but support is there if they need it. The class sizes are good too. They are very good at catering for SEN needs and communicating with parents. You probably know this, but at APS students are expected to take 4 subjects in the first year, might be a lot for your daughter as art and photography is a lot of coursework. Sorry This may not be too enlightening hope this helped though.

What did you decide @rekaculture

We went to see it for DD for that combination. Amazing art department, better than I’ve seen on some undergrad courses. I was amazed at the high level of support the library offered with information skills and links to appropriate online packages via the uni of Westminster-the sort of support I’d only expected privately.

Ultimately the open day put her off-the two female heads were , I can’t think of a polite way to say it, but absolutely awful, and worse than clueless. A male leader had to step in because he could hear what mess they had created. The leaders do not seem to value the arts and said that if she wanted to take both fine art and photography she’d be better off somewhere less academic. Added to that they said it was unfair if she took both arts subjects because that might mean someone couldn’t take one. Although taking three sciences doesn’t seem to be gatekeeping .

Hopefully someone’s had a word with them because it could be fantastic and I’d love a positive experience feedback.

Thanks very much! It helps a lot!

We were not impressed by the open day either to say the least, but I’m trying to separate that experience from the quality of the art department, as that’s what really matters. You also agree it’s really good, am I correct?

No decidion yet, as neither of them sent any offers yet, Fortismere’s is expected any day now and APS will be only until June.

Can I ask what your child chose at the end?

My DD was at APS for all of secondary and stayed on for sixth form and did Art A level. She is now on a foundation year at UAL and has accepted an offer from CSM for a degree starting in September. She found the way APS taught art set her up perfectly for the foundation.

However, she was advised not to take 2 art based subjects for A level, because the level of course work was too much. At APS they have to take 4 A levels in year 12, and the risk of 2 subjects being so course work heavy is they don't have time to work on the other subjects. They can only drop 1 of the 4 at the end of year 12, so they do need to make sure they have time to properly work on at least 3 subjects to be able to progress onto year 13.

After A levels I would definitely recommend a foundation year for art based degrees. They are free at most of the London art colleges if they start when they're 19 or under. It's especially good if they don't know which art specialism they want to study at degree level. It's also a big benefit in terms of producing a good portfolio to use for degree course applications.

Yes. I think Fortismere is fantastic for art. Brilliant.

As I understand it the OP child doesn’t want to go to AP or take 4 A levels. We discounted it because they wouldn’t let children take two arts subjects.

Of course two or three arts subjects is a lot of work-but A levels are a lot of work.

La Swap are open minded regarding the arts.

TBH I think the arts are unintentionally denigrated in schools in general.

I think art foundations are useful, but not necessarily for every child in every circumstance.

Sorry, OP child IS interested in AP- the whole 4 A levels thing is just ridiculous-completely unnecessary imo. I can understand suggesting the dc start with 4 but no way it should be compulsory. Don’t they say something like if you think 4 A levels is not for you then we suggest you’re not for us - go somewhere less academic.

Fortismere-ask if they’ll let you take the combination-if they’re positive about it it’ll be grand I’m sure. Fantastic department.

CSG does fine art and photography and history of art.

La Swap does fine art, photography and textiles and you can discuss taking all three.

Yeah 4 a levels is ridiculous till the end of the year as well, when daughter went to APS interview last year they said it’s rare they even let you do an as with that a level so there’s really no point. They could be spending that time revising/coursewoek for the three

I finally managed to get hold of Fortismere yesterday and they said they’re still working through external candidates. Did you hear anything? My child has also applied for photography

Thank you very much! It’s really reassuring to know, that APS prepares students well for Foundation course, then CSM! Amazing! Congratulations for your daughter!
Yes, 4 subjects is a bit challenging and my daughter applied all 3 art subjects (I emailed them and they said they’re allowed to do all 3, but need to pay attention to the submission deadlines) I can’t imagine it being more shocking than an art university though. She’s coming from a Steiner school (until year 8), so she used to do lots of art. Her 4th subjects would be psychology and she’d probably drop one of the art subjects after trying for a year.
The Foundation year is the plan for my daughter too, however not free for her unfortunately, as she’s older, I asked for an extra year for her before GCSEs, as we moved from abroad 2,5 years ago.
Would you mind telling me about the teacher in private message, please? Are there more than one teacher though? The one we met was very inspiring, I think she was the head of art.
thank you!

My daughter does consider APS and they told us they’re allowed to do all 3 art subjects, so she applied.
However we did look at Laswap and they don’t allow more, than one art subjects any more, so she didn’t apply.
Yes, I agree on how schools look at art.

Sorry, just seen this.
Yes, she still does consider APS. I’m not sure what to think about the 4 subjects, it’s definitely challenging, however it might be good to try and see what they really want.
We didn’t ask Fortismere if she can take 2 arts, but hoping!
unfortunately we missed CSG and as I mentioned above Laswap says on the website they can’t take more than one.

Oh, thank you! No, we still haven’t heard from them. Did they say when they expect to get through the applications and send out offers?

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