The Creative Arts
At Brighton College, creative arts in the Sixth Form are about developing your own ideas, refining your technique and producing work that reflects your individuality.
Whether working in art, photography or design, you are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks and build a portfolio that reflects your interests and ambitions. From initial concepts to resolved outcomes, the focus is on independence, originality and the confidence to pursue your own direction.
You will explore a wide range of media, colour, form and texture in imaginative and challenging ways, combining traditional techniques with digital processes. This approach enables you to develop your work with increasing sophistication, preparing you for further study beyond school and the creation of exciting, thought-provoking outcomes.
Art
Art in the Sixth Form is both exploratory and highly individual. You will work across a range of media, including painting, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media, developing the technical skill and critical understanding needed to support your ideas.
As your work progresses, you will take ownership of your projects, producing outcomes that reflect your own interests, influences and creative direction. The emphasis is on experimentation, refinement and the development of a strong personal visual language.
Design and Technology
Design and Technology allows you to turn ideas into fully realised outcomes, combining creativity with practical problem-solving.
Working with a range of materials, tools and processes, you will develop projects from initial concept through to final product. The focus is on innovation, precision and producing work that is both functional and well-resolved, preparing you for further study in design, engineering or related fields.
Photography
Photography offers the opportunity to explore image-making in depth, from analogue darkroom processes to digital photography, editing and film.
You will learn to construct and manipulate images with intention, developing a strong understanding of composition, lighting and visual narrative. Through sustained projects, you will build a portfolio that demonstrates both technical ability and a clear creative voice.
You will work in dedicated creative spaces designed to support a wide range of disciplines, from studio-based art and photography to hands-on making and design.
With access to both traditional tools and modern technologies, these environments allow you to experiment, refine your work and develop your ideas with confidence and independence.
The Alexander Arts Centre is a large, loft-style studio. With an abundance of natural light in the space, pupils are able to explore their creativity in a variety of mediums. This includes access to a silkscreen printing room.
Our RIBA award-winning Skidelsky Building houses our Design and Technology department. This is based in a multi-purpose workshop and design studio that incorporates the latest manufacturing machinery and equipment, as well as traditional tools and resources.
Located in the Alexander Arts Centre, our photography studio caters for all mediums of image making. Pupils can engage with analogue darkroom photography through to digital photoshop and filmmaking, alongside the more practical montage manipulation.
There are regular opportunities to exhibit your work, both within the College and beyond, allowing you to present your ideas in a professional context and see your work realised at scale.
A highlight of the creative calendar is the annual Leonardo Creativity Competition, inspired by the ingenuity and artistic vision of Leonardo da Vinci. Open to pupils across all year groups, it celebrates creativity, innovation and collaboration, encouraging you to push your ideas further and think in new ways.
From emerging artists to more experienced creators, pupils explore ambitious concepts and produce original work across a range of disciplines. Winners across several categories receive prizes, with selected work exhibited in a Brighton art gallery.
These opportunities play an important role in developing your confidence, refining your portfolio and preparing your work for the next stage.
Creative arts in the Sixth Form are not just about developing skills – they are about defining your own direction as a creative thinker.
Whether you are preparing for art school, a creative degree or simply pursuing a passion, you will be supported to produce work that is ambitious, individual and entirely your own.
Book a visit or speak to our admissions team to find out more about life at Brighton College. For pupils with particular talent in the arts, scholarships are available – find out more via the link below.
Creative Arts News
