As a purpose built, self-contained A-Level centre with the goal to educate and enthuse the next generation of learners, Dudley Sixth is fast gaining a reputation for being one of the best places to study A-Levels in the Black Country, Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region.
Our A-Level courses in Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Photography and Textile Design are your gateway to Higher Education, Higher Apprenticeships or employment. The majority of our learners plan to progress onto university and many accept places at a range of Russell Group universities, including Birmingham, King’s College London and Manchester, as well as other local prestigious universities including Aston and Keele.
With subject specialists guiding you through your two-year A-Level programme, you will receive the highest quality education. Our aspiration is for you to achieve your potential and have a very successful future.
This year has seen the return of our exam project (which due to COVID hasn’t been conducted since 2019) and with it, a workload increase for all on A-Level Fine art. The organisational skills and motivation of the students has really been tested, working with given topics presented by the exam board, which at times can often be frustrating. However, all the students have risen to the challenges presented over the year and produced high quality work they should be proud of.
This year we’ve even managed to resume our educational visits, with trips to Liverpool, London and even Berlin. These have inspired and engaged our cohort and provided them with some additional inspiration outside of the classroom.
Gillian Worley, A-Level Fine Art Tutor, Dudley Sixth
Graciela Amulong
I wanted to explore the uniqueness of different encounters and how these experiences vary from person to person; we remember and dwell about our favorite memories, but being able to present the passing moments is just as valuable.
I also created a project that consisted of me recreating dishes and a variety of foods to help elevate the concept of the mundane; foods are recognized to amplify our five senses, so I wanted to see if I could recreate that in my work using colour and different styles.
Morgan Cadd
For my first project, I choose the topic ‘Animals’ where I explore different domestic pets such as dogs, cats and snakes in a range of different media leading up to my final piece centred around the negative stereotypes surrounding dogs, all painted in acrylic paint as I thoroughly enjoyed the harsh and bold colours/look of this material.
For my next project, I choose the exam topic ‘Vivid’ as this spoke to me the most. I knew from the beginning I wanted to continue using acrylic paint as well as exploring coloured pencils and watercolour.
Ultimately, I decided acrylic was the medium I preferred through my experiments around objects and people in bold, monochromatic colours. My final piece encompasses all I learnt throughout this project. Again, I chose acrylic paint as my chosen medium, using it in a monochromatic style that has since become another technique I fell in love with throughout this project.
Charlie Craig
This project focused on portraits and how you could manipulate and distort the facial features of a person to represent the disconnect between the body and mind in times of severe mental health episodes. I used oil paints and oil pastels to create a smooth flowing texture.
I then explored a project focused on time, and how long movements of a person can be painted into a single image. I used long exposure photography to take my images and dragged the paint to show direction of motion.
Leanna Douglas
In project one I practiced portraiture by looking into the concept of the effects of aging.
For project 2 I explored fish and fears of the deep ocean through printing and painting medias.
Libby Spinks
I explored the idea of circles in art through printing and painting.
In my second project I investigated animals and the pollution of their habitats.
Ellie Vaughan
My first project focused on the beauty and intricacy of insects versus a more negative view and why we fear them, using materials such as watercolour, acrylic, biro and pencil.
My second project stemmed from the word “vivid”, exploring how I can use colours together to get the best visual outcome, while using materials like coloured pencil, oil pastels, acrylic and watercolour.
Grace Ward
For my first project, the concept was ‘abstract mind’, which was about seeking and exploring the possibilities of representing anxiety and confusion in portraiture.
For my next project, I focused on the idea of the mundane reality of relationships, looking into the significance of the small moments of life with a significant other.
A-Level Photography allows learners the opportunity to express themselves creatively while exploring ideas and concepts that are personal and meaningful. This is clearly demonstrated across the wonderful work created by this years A-Level cohort. I could not be prouder of the work and achievements made by each member of the Photography group.
Learners often choose issues within society as a means to connect their Photography to an audience. The course consistently challenges them to problem solve and improve both quality and concept as they progress. This ultimately prepares them for both industry and Higher Education.
Industry-standard software and equipment are embedded throughout the course to again support progression, exploring the Creative Cloud Adobe Suite with programs such as Photoshop and Lightroom for image editing, along with InDesign to create their stunning portfolios and project work. To allow for a deeper understanding of photography, learners are encouraged to work with both modern and traditional techniques such as darkroom and Cyanotypes. This 2-year programme builds theoretical and practical knowledge to allow our learners the creative means to express themselves through Photography.
I hope you enjoy exploring the work from this year’s Photography learners.
Simon Morris, A-Level Photography Tutor, Dudley Sixth
Ayah Abdul-Halim
During year 13 I experimented creating imagery which represented the feeling of hope using a digital camera. I used a variety of photographic techniques like street, portrait and still life photography for my shoots developing a range of outcomes. After my A-Levels I will be taking a gap year to discover myself more before returning to education with the potential route of becoming a lawyer.
Aleesha Ball
The concept of my project is to create images that convey motion to reflect the high energy captured within them. My main inspirations are metal and rock music as I enjoy them the most and the bands I saw played these types of music. I did this by taking long exposure photographs to capture lots of movement and edited the colours to be brighter and more eye-catching.
I also edited a few images in Photoshop to add a motion blur without doing it on the camera to showcase different uses of effects. I photographed both live music and studio shoots with instruments as props and I think the mixture of both works quite well together.
I am currently working towards doing a foundation level in arts and I plan on going to Nottingham Trent University the year after to study photography further.
Alivea Bennett
For this project, I focused on the techniques used and the components which develop and make up product photography as a whole, techniques such as the use of gel lighting, shadows, and the use of water droplets along with a range of other techniques. I also intended for this project to have a focus on the use of vibrant colours in my work particularly complimentary colours.
I experimented with various skills/ techniques in order to develop my skill range and capture my intentions in my work. I found particular success through the use of negative space, shadows, contrast, depth and colour in my work which brought a focus to the object of the image and created a more professional outcome to my outcomes.
After A-levels I intend to go to Warwick University to complete a degree in Law and Sociology.
Bethan Bowater
For this project I explored the concept of individuality by forming characters to showcase the distinct separateness between people and how each person has their own identity. My initial starting point of this project was table, and it is through a table that I have presented the different personality types of an individual by giving them their own personality trait.
For the layout of the images, I wanted to capture all of the models together in an arrangement to further accentuate the uniqueness of each of the characters. Overall, my images are successful as they extenuate the difference between each person through the simplicity of a table and incorporate a variety of skills such as cinematography which is the art of photography and visual storytelling in a motion picture. I used this to build a narrative for each of the characters to help further underline the individuality of a person.
In the future I am to go to the University Of Birmingham to study sociology and education.
Isobel Cooper
My collection of images explores the human presence in everyday life. These are some of my final results for one of my projects which follows a documentary style of photography to show my perspective of how I see the people around me. In this project I was able to develop my work as I moved through different locations and found new places and people to photograph. These are some of my favourite images in showing my view of the people around me.
I am unsure on what I will do next however I am going to continue my photography further in the future.
Lucinda Elson-Whittaker
These are some of my final images from a project where I wanted to explore the unseen struggles that people may experience in their lives in comparison to how they project themselves to everyone in day-to-day life. I explored the ways my mom portrays herself at work, whether that be with colleagues or patients, in comparison to how she may truly feel because of her work environment. Furthermore, I thought it would be interesting to investigate the ways she attempts to work through this stress as well as know why she continues this job despite the negative impacts.
I plan to study photography at Manchester Metropolitan University in September.
Paulina Jonkisz
During the second year of my photography course, my main intention was to explore and experiment with the use of a diverse range of mixed media techniques. For my Component 1 project, ‘Cyan Reminiscence’, my project was centred around the alternative cyanotype photographic process, partnered with the creation of stop motion. During this project, I created cyanotype stop motions presenting a range of themes, mostly consisting of nature, freedom, and escapism.
My Component 2 photography project, ‘Essence of Identity’, consists of mixed media exploration, with the central aim of this project consisting of exhibiting alternative and unique identities. I have decided to explore with the use of a diverse range of materials in order to fabricate a range of creative textures that emphasise the identities presented.
In September, I am planning on studying Film, Photography and Media BA at The University of Leeds.
Ruby Parker
In this project, I explored the concept of identity and how it can become fragmented and distorted. I placed a key focus on editing photos in a glitch-like style, this reflected the broken, multi-faceted nature of identity. Throughout the project, I also explored collaged outcomes in the style of Photographer David Hockney, these collages reflected the multiple ways people may present themselves in society and their online personas.
I utilised a range of techniques throughout this component from simple coloured portraiture to black and white collages, this allowed me to explore many concepts in order to create my final piece. To conclude my project, I combined my glitch style outcomes into a short video clip showing the slow and gradual process of distortion through the use of social media.
After A-Levels, I intend to study Psychology with criminology at Birmingham City University.
Amelia Parr
In my A-level photography projects, I showcase work that encourages viewers too see things differently. Through one project, I reveal the hidden elements of natural forms, highlighting its often-unnoticed details allowing my audience to appreciate them more. In the other, I explored different ways to view architecture, challenging typical perspectives and offering new ways to look at everyday buildings.
My aim over my projects is to inspire my audience to take time to observe and find beauty in the ordinary, to realise there are many ways we can perceive and appreciate the world around us.
I plan on studying a degree in photography at Birmingham city University
Grace Taylor
The first three images are some of the final results taken from my project which explores the relationship society has with technology nowadays. I used old devices from the 90’s and early 2000’s to create irony and highlight the almost strange dependency we have on our phones compared to 20 years ago.
The next three are my final pieces taken from my exam project, which focus on the starting point of layers. The three collages, constructed in Photoshop, highlight the similarities and differences between natural, human and animal form with a focus on grunge as a visual aesthetic.
In September I plan to study Graphic Design at Birmingham City University.
Grace Ward
For the first project, my learnt interests in photography grew into exploring and seeking deeper meanings about our reality through photography. My concept was based upon depicting change within the urban environment in black and white imagery outcomes to express the change between the original colour format used to document early development of towns and cities. Applied to the modern day to put an emphasis upon our ever changing and developing urban reality. I further worked with capturing and developing my own B&W film to further emphasise the classical link I was seeking within this project.
When it came to the next project, I wanted to focus on my personal reality. A camera gives you the ability to freeze a moment in time, something you can look back and be nostalgic, sentimental or even grateful for. This understanding made me want to seek out my reality and capture significant moments in my life in relation to the set topic of table. In my final I understood that; the table became a symbolic reference to what was important and held importance within my life.
My plans are that I intend to study photography at university. My chosen university is Birmingham City University.
Watch this fantastic video of our Photography exhibition created by our 2nd year students, Josh Harper and Jesse Jewkes
Here in Dudley, our students’ journey towards professional image-making has seen them seeking to find their own creative voice, whilst building meaning into their photography, growing in confidence, becoming a supportive community, learning to articulate their work as well as dealing with responses to their work, all whilst maintaining enthusiasm, inspiration, and motivation.
We have sought to promote kindness, community, and diversity. We have continued to strengthen our close relationship with Dudley Zoo, Dudley’s Gentleman’s Songsters and Dudley Remembers and Dudley Holocaust Memorial Day. One of our students is now Diversity and Inclusion rep for the whole college.
As well as exhibiting our diversity project at Dudley Town Hall last October, we have recently had the pleasure of working with local refugees from all round the world, who have made Dudley their home. It has become a local yet international collaboration. This has been our biggest, most important project to date – The Dudley Refugee Project – It was a year in the making – commissioned by Lord Ian Austin – featuring many of our ESOL students and other refugees, including a number from Ukraine.
Our recent exhibition at The Dudley Archives was attended The Mayor of Dudley. This work exposure involved students working alongside art photographer Anand Chhabra, who won the Mayor’s Civic Award for art last year, for his work with us, which involved a collaboration with Historic England, celebrating High Street Heroes, for our national touring exhibition, featured in the Guardian newspaper.
This year, two students worked in their own time, photographing with Dudley Caribbean and Friends Association, helping them with their own photography and raising awareness of the social welfare needs of the elderly African Caribbean community in Dudley.
During the course, we have raised money for The Royal British Legion, Children in Need and most notably for Ronnie and Friends, for whom we helped raise over £22,000 towards building a baby bereavement room at Russel’s Hall Hospital in Dudley, by abseiling off the college and climbing the highest mountain in England, in winter.
Frequently these students demonstrate their drive and aspiration by staying late and are often still working when the evening class arrive and sometime even help teach them. From our shared induction in the sports hall, on day one, onwards, we try to break barriers between curriculum areas and levels. We have visiting speakers most weeks, often old students coming in, to give back and inspire.
We aim to enable a supportive, intrinsically motivated community. My students don’t need commendations or stickers; they work through their lunch or volunteer to photograph college events at weekends. They feel they are working, not just for their own skill-development, personal experience or portfolio-building but often for the greater good.
Production Arts learners have once again worked on a large variety of shows and projects throughout the year. Starting with their own creative personal projects, where they have showcased their specialist skills with a plethora of installations, costumes and SFX make-up looks.
On top of this they have created prop weapons and costume for performances of “Clue”, “Six(Teen) The Musical”, and have worked with fashion students to create some makeup looks to complement their costume designs. They have built on their sculpting and painting skills and have helped run shows back stage and front of house. They have finished the year off by creating a gore-tastic zombie exhibition space. Be brave and enter the terrifying “Zo-vid Ward” on the ground floor of Evolve during the Artsfest Week!
Luke Orchard and Jo Davis, production arts tutors
Dare you Enter the Zo-vid Ward? Watch this Creepy Video if you Dare!
The work on show here is just a snapshot of some of the work produced over the past two years. While our students are taught digital skills, they also learn traditional art and design skills in order to develop a broad portfolio of art and design for their progression onto higher education.
Some of our recent students have gone on to study at degree level in subject areas such as visual communication or graphic design, but also illustration, animation, fashion illustration, automotive design, architecture, interior architecture, jewellery design, digital media, and many other creative pathways.
Over the past few months all our students who made university applications were accepted (as usual), and generally on their first choice. Some have chosen to begin their studies at degree level, and others have decided to stay on at Dudley College for a Foundation Year. Well done all – it’s been great working with you. Good luck for the future.
Paul Oldnall, graphics tutor
WATCH THIS SPACE – GALLERY OF STUDENT WORK COMING VERY SOON!
It’s difficult to express how brilliant NT Connections is. It has become a fundamental part of my students’ educational experience. They learn and grow so much through this process that goes beyond their college and their course. Participation in Connections gives them a taste of what it means to work in this industry – the mind-set and dedication required to produce work of the highest standard possible. Andrew Wilson – Group Leader
Watch the Performance of Performance of Old Times at the Derby Theatre on 22nd April 2023 as part of NT Connections 2023.
Clue on Stage Performance 2023
Six The Musical Performance 2023
Music
Watch this Photoreel from this year’s music event
Stills From Recent Music Live Performances
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (Dance)
Watch this showcase featuring our BTEC L3 Dance Students
