A TOP performing A-Level student has made an art of her studies after becoming one of the first to graduate from a new learning pathway.
Hannah Cummins, 18, of Billingham, is one of 32 students to complete the A-Level pathway at Cleveland College of Art & Design, Middlesbrough.
The new learning platform, introduced in 2012, offers courses in non-art and design subjects to complement the outstanding creative provision already in place at the specialist art college.
“Although I didn’t necessarily just want to study art I really wanted to learn in a creative environment,” said Hannah, who has just completed A-Levels in psychology, fine art and the history of art.
“My aim was to look at courses that were art-based but that could be broken up with more academic subjects and I really liked the different genres of A-Level options on offer here at CCAD.
“I’d already been to the college for an art summer school, while still at secondary school, so I had it set in my mind that this would be a great place to learn.”
CCAD’s additional A-Level options of sociology, English Language, psychology and history of art provide flexibility for students to study a mix of art and design and non-art and design subjects alongside graphics, textiles, photography and fine art.
Hannah, who is predicted A grades in her exams, is now set to study psychology at Northampton University.
“Although I am not going on to study art at university I will still continue with it using all the techniques that I’ve learnt here during my two years,” said Hannah.
“I really enjoyed being at CCAD. It gave me the opportunity to explore a range of options for the future, and I know that I made the right decision to come here.”
Principal Martin Raby added: “We are very proud to be the only Grade 1, outstanding, art and design college in the country, as rated by Ofsted.
“But although we are a specialist art college we wanted to be able to provide students interested in art and design, but not necessarily considering it as a career, the option to take an alternative pathway in their studies.
“The first two-year cohort has been extremely successful and to-date we have already enrolled double the amount of students for next year so we are seeing an upward trend in the numbers of students looking at alternative ways to continue their further education.”
For more information on opportunities at CCAD contact (01642) 288888 or log on to www.ccad.ac.uk.
