Creative Arts

Creative Arts at Queen Ethelburga’s

Take advantage of Queen Ethelburga’s fantastic Creative Arts and Technology facilities by choosing from a wide range of GCSE, BTEC or A Level subjects.

Our school has dedicated art, photography, textiles, and design technology classrooms with CAD/CAM (computer aided design and manufacture) softwares, lathes, milling machines, 3D printing, and a photography dark room.


Win Awards At The ISA Art Competitions

Queen Ethelburga’s also enters the ISA Art competition with pieces produced by our talented students from Key Stage Four and Five. For the last two years, we have won the KS5 Photography category in the National Awards, won second place in the KS5 3D Category and have been highly commended for the KS4 Sketchbook, KS5 3D Category. 

Senior school pupil with her artwork

Studying Creative Arts helped me a lot throughout my years at QE. My teachers gave me guidance with my portfolio and personal statement to help me gain a place at my first-choice university.”
Plenty Of Time To Improve Coursework

On Saturdays you can join Queen’s Academy, a Creative Arts club where you can work on your portfolio or coursework using the department facilities.

At the Academy, teachers and technicians will be on-hand to give you advice and inspire you with new ideas. 

There are also opportunities for Sixth Form students to stay after-school at workshops in the Art/Fashion studios, or to work independently in the art classrooms.

Key Stage Four

There are five Creative Arts and Technology subjects for you to study at Queen Ethelburga's. QE College offers GCSE 3D Design, GCSE Art, Craft and Design, GCSE Photography with QE Faculty offering the additional Creative Digital Media Production BTEC and Graphic Communication GCSE.

3D Design GCSE

3D Design is the creative approach to design and technology, where you can focus on developing your skills in architecture, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, interior design and designs for theatre and film. As well as design, you are expected to develop ideas and demonstrate good analytical and critical understanding by investigating the work of other designers. 

You will have access to well-resourced workshops containing both traditional and contemporary machinery, including drills, sanders, 3D digital printer, laser cutters and digital design programmes.

Art, Craft and Design GCSE

Highly practical and individualised, the GCSE Art, Craft and Design develops and nurtures your artistic talent. You will experiment with a wide range of media, materials and processes, exploring traditional and contemporary techniques, such as fine art painting, printmaking, craft, illustration, digital drawing and design. 

Develop your passions in our bright, airy and well-resourced art rooms and studios, supported by a dedicated team of teachers and technicians.

Creative Digital Media Production BTEC
A vocational course that will teach you about genre, narrative and representation through studying media products such as film, magazines, newspapers, websites and games.
You can develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment using our brand-new suite of digital media computers.
Photography GCSE

Explore fine art, commercial, landscape, street and portrait photography using a creative approach that goes beyond the classroom. You will observe and record ideas that are then selected and manipulated using modern and traditional techniques – including film, video and installation. 

You can use the school’s photography studio, dark room and cutting-edge computers equipped with the latest Adobe edit suite.

Graphic Communication GCSE - NEW FOR 2024!

A brand new course for Faculty students at Queen Ethelburga's, Graphic Communication is a must for any student interested in graphic design, advertising, interactive design (including web, app and game) and exhibitions. 


You will learn how to use visual material to convey information, ideas, meaning and emotions in response to a brief.


Key Stage Five

Continue your love for 3D Design, Art, Craft and Design, and Photography into Sixth Form. Or, try something new with the addition of Fashion/Textiles A Level, Art and Design Practice BTEC, and Creative Media BTEC. 

3D Design A Level
3D Design is the creative design-led approach to design technology. You will select your own practical investigation into an idea, concept or theme by experimenting with a range of 3D media, materials and processes exploring traditional and new media techniques. 
Art, Craft and Design A Level

Designed to follow the GCSE course, this advanced art course allows you to progress, experience and explore a range of 2D and 3D media, processes and techniques. Integral to the investigating and making processes you will take inspiration from images, artefacts and resources relating to art, craft and design. 

Studying a variety of Creative Arts subjects at QE encouraged me to develop my self- expression and creativity. My teachers were very supportive and boosted my confidence, and helped me to develop as an artist and a person.”

Art and Design Practice BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma and Extended Diploma
The new BTEC Art and Design Practice has been developed alongside experts from the creative arts industries to focus on practical and progression-focused learning. Complete a mixture of practical projects, briefs and industry workshops to create a portfolio of work ready for progression to further studies in the arts, or directly into a career or apprenticeship.
Creative Media Practice BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma and Extended Diploma
Explore a broad range of creative media specialisms and purposes by focusing on one module – Exploring and Developing Creative Media Skills. You will look at ways of informing ideas, understanding and developing solutions to creative challenges.
Fashion/Textiles A Level

A Level Textiles allows you to respond to the visual world in a creative way through hands-on making, exploring exciting textile design techniques. You will have the opportunity to direct your work towards fashion, textiles, theatrical costume or interiors.

Studying Textiles at QE allowed me to experiment with new and different techniques such as combining ceramics and fabrics together mixing media and allowing me to take my knowledge to the next level.”

Photography A Level
Learn a variety of creative photography techniques and processes and experiment with ways of mixing media and ideas. Our team of supportive teachers offer practical advice and guidance to help you develop an original and individual response to themes and artists.