Creative Arts Foundation Entry Level 3 Pathway

These pathways are for young people who want to explore a career in a creative field through a full-time college course, and would benefit from starting at entry level and having a high level of support with English, Maths, ICT and Personal Development.

There are numerous starting points throughout the year. You will develop your creative skills through a range of 2D and 3D projects. You are introduced to working with different materials and will start to work with a range of media to create your own designs following a brief. You will take part in practical activities and assessment is continuous rather than by exam.

These exciting and highly practical courses give you an introduction to a range of 2D work including drawing, painting and print making. You will also be introduced to 3D work and get involved in ceramics, sculpture and design using wood and metal. You will be encouraged to experiment and develop your creativity and imagination, and you will start building skills to communicate ideas, feelings and meanings in art, craft and design. As part of the course you will take part in activities to develop your English, Maths and ICT. These skills are nece necessary for all aspects of life and essential if you want to progress in study and work.

You will have the opportunity to work in small groups where you will improve your teamwork and communication skills. Classes are small which mean you have more individual attention than on most courses. There is a high level of support from Learning Mentors, Learning Support Assistants, the additional support team and your personal tutor. You will not need to take any exams on this course. Instead you will be assessed through written assignments, case studies, presentations and observation of practical activities. You will put together a portfolio of your achievements.

These courses will give you an introduction to creative arts and time to think about your future career. We arrange for specialist careers support from our college Careers Advisers or our Connexions Personal Advisers who are there to help you choose your next step. You will be supported by a Learning Mentor. The mentor's role is to help you complete the course successfully. This may involve supporting your classroom learning but also providing support with other personal issues that might arise during the course. Many of the teachers on these pathways are specialists in dyslexia and are able to make sure each student gets any support needed in-class. You will be able to join one of these pathways at various points throughout the year, not just in September. We may be able to move you on to the next level of the subject as soon as you are ready.

You do not need qualifications to join these pathways. However you will need a successful interview with a member of the teaching team to show your commitment to full-time study and your interest in the subject. We will also expect a satisfactory school reference.

Within the pathways you can progress from Entry Level to Level 1 as soon as you are ready. When you have achieved your Level 1 qualification you could progress on to Level 2 courses in a related subject such as Art Design and Media BTEC or other Level 1 or 2 courses.