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.
A-Level textile design encourages students to work with a wide variety of skills and processes across the fields of textiles, fashion and interiors. This includes printed textiles, constructed textiles, embroidery, fashion construction, weaving and fabric manipulation. Learners are introduced to different techniques which they are then able to develop into personal final work. This can be clearly seen within the variety of imaginative outcomes produced this year.
Learners are encouraged to explore both historical and contemporary techniques and processes and to support their work with research into a range of suitable artists, designers, and trends. They are prepared for industry or Higher Education and all the learners from this year are continuing by pursuing degrees, employment or progressing onto the art foundation diploma course here at Dudley College.
I hope that you find the work inspiring. I am very proud of what the learners have achieved this year.
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
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
Dudley College 1st Year Actors from National Theatre Connections Festival at The Derby Theatre on 30 April 2022
Students have been engaged in the production of media content for skills development in Script Writing, Cinematography and Video Editing. They have researched, planned and produced videos for various projects, including exploring a narrative theme, The Box and TV advert production for Sony products. Students also explored the theme of ‘Identity’ where they drew upon how they feel about their own image, their ethnicity, their social groupings and their personal tastes. They then planned and produced a series of short films based on this.
The standard of work has been excellent, with students adapting to the restrictions presented by lockdown with limited access to locations and actors, and team work being adversely affected. However, all students have proved themselves to be able to work independently and use their initiative in making good out of a difficult situation.
The work produced this year shows genuine creativity and imaginative uses of available resources.
Stuart McConnell, media tutor
YEAR ONE
HORROR SHORTS
Charlie Hampton – The Text
James Shinton – Isolate
Natasha Darby – The Woods
THE BOX
Coree Connup – The Box
Beth Wylde – The Box
Lacky Rana – The Box
Mitchell Summers – Attached
INDEPENDENT PROJECTS
Coree Connup and Natasha Derby – Fallin’
Natasha Derby – The Letter
Charlie Hampton and Lacky Rana – North (Jak3)
Joseph Mcleod and Sophie Holland – Get You (Daniel Caesar)
Lacky Rana – Cinematography
Identities – Natasha Darby, Coree Connup, Lacky Rana, Joseph Mcleod & Jacob Jones
Bitesize TV Studio Production 1
Bitesize TV Studio Production 2
YEAR TWO
INDEPENDENT PROJECTS
Rhys Atkinson – VPower in my Blood
Molly Baynham – Jade and Mariah
Thomas Adam Duffill – The Briefcase
Alannah Guest – Rose-coloured Suicide
Kacey Howell – The Rise Of TikTok
Sabrina Hoxha – Quiet Minds
Aman Kang – Runitup
Madison Wilkinson Mills – Parallels
Mia O’Farrell – Science Behind Music
Harvey Taylor – Homage
MUSIC VIDEOS
Alannah and Sabrina – Somewhere Only We Know (Lily Allen)
The animation production course is now in its second year. Students have been engaged in the production of animations for The Black Country Living Museum Halloween event, Music Video, TV Idents, Concept Art for Computer Games, Graphic Narrative Production and Final Independent project where students research, design and produce animations based on their own style and techniques.
Students began their studies exploring the 12 Principles of animation which underpin the key creation of movement. This year has seen the students produce excellent 2D animations using hand drawn content, digital illustration and vector/asset-based techniques.
The standard of work has been excellent with most students working at a standard equivalent to year 1 degree level study.
