Budding artists and designers at Ron Dearing UTC are honing their skills and discovering their creative calling thanks to the launch of a brand-new Art and Design Foundation Course.
The year-long programme leads to a Level 4 qualification in Art and Design and was created in response to student demand. It gives them the chance to ‘try before they buy’, exploring a range of art and design specialisms before choosing their future pathway.
It’s the first course of its kind at Ron Dearing and builds on the success of the school’s STEAM Studios – a dedicated creative hub with gallery, exhibition, 2D and 3D art and photography spaces. The popularity of the new course highlights how far creative subjects have developed at the school in just two years.
The first cohort of seven students, all of whom previously studied at Ron Dearing’s sixth form, have already begun exploring areas including photography, fine art, fashion design, 3D and graphics.
To mark the launch, they shared why they chose the course and what they hope to achieve.
Matthew Bestley, who is considering ceramics as a career, said: “This course gives me more time to decide. I think I want to do ceramics, but I want this extra year to build my skills before choosing whether to go to university or try to make it as an artist myself. I think a lot of people here feel the same.”
Kitty Every explained that the variety of the course is what appealed to her: “I chose the foundation course because I wanted another year at home, and I love that it isn’t just one subject. It’s more multifaceted, with the chance to explore fine art, 3D, graphics, photography and lens-based work. I made a film last year and hope to progress in that area, but more than anything I just want to keep progressing in my art and learn as much as I can.
“I’d like to go on to Leeds to study film after this, but it all depends on how the year goes.”
Hayden Taylor hopes the course will help him turn a long-standing passion into a career: “I think I want to go into 3D and focus on interior design, because I’ve got a real passion for it. Hopefully I can get an apprenticeship in the industry and work for companies, but I’d also like to start developing houses myself to rent or sell. Focusing on interior design in this course will help me build the skills I need for that.
“I’m also interested in lens-based work and might look at photography. I haven’t fully decided yet, but I’m hoping for an apprenticeship – and if not, I’ll keep developing my skills so I can go self-employed.”
Kal Mears, who has ambitions in the digital art world, added: “I’m mostly focused on digital art, especially character design and concept art. I want to go to university to study concept and comic art, but I chose the foundation course to give me an extra year to develop my skills – things like human anatomy, character design and everything that goes into it – so I feel fully confident before I move on.”
The foundation course is 100% coursework-based and externally moderated by University of the Arts London (UAL), one of the world’s leading institutions for art, design and creative education.
Senior Assistant Principal and Creative Director, Lynn Garland Collins, said: “The course is designed to give students the opportunity to experiment creatively, helping them to decide on a creative pathway they want to follow in the future, whether that’s university, the workplace or another route. It’s much more like an art college approach – everyone is based in one studio with their own space to work which is theirs for the whole year. There are lectures and tutorial but no fixed lessons. Students work independently on their own work with access to specialist tutors and technicians. It’s a really exciting development for RDUTC and we’re thrilled the students came up with the idea!
Course Leader Rachel Fussey added: “We introduced the Foundation course in response to students who wanted to take more time exploring their next creative steps and were keen to do that at STEAM Studios. They are an extremely talented bunch and we are delighted to have them for an extra year and to be able to continue to oversee their creative development.
“The first week has been amazing. Students have been really receptive to the tasks we’ve set, and they’ve enjoyed thinking outside the box and reflecting on their practice in the way artists do day to day.”