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Dance.................................. 4 Digital.............................. .14 iTec.................................. 12 Media................................ .18 Performing Arts....................... 20 Visual Arts............................ 8 A levels and BTECs....................24
Front cover image: Emily Wright after David Bailey. Emily was a successful A level Applied Art and Design and Photography student last year.
>
A word from the Manager
3
Dear Creative Reader I’m James Poulter the Curriculum Manager for the Creative Media and Technology section at Sussex Downs Lewes College. What that really means is I get to go to lots of brilliant student shows, exhibitions, events and award ceremonies. I also work with a fantastic team of staff who are passionate about their subjects. Lots of the teachers who work on our courses have experience working in the industries they are preparing their students for. Some are still working professionally in those industries. We have teachers and technicians who have studied their craft to a very high level and that’s one reason we are able to offer degree courses as well as high achieving A levels and Btecs.
James with former student and X Factor TV producer Eddie Hall
We are lucky at Sussex Downs Lewes College because we have the best Creative and Technology College in the Country. We’ve got the amazing Music Academy, a fantastic Film making and Media department, high quality Web and Digital design training, award winning Software Development students, an outstanding Visual Arts area and even other colleges admit there’s no point in competing with our famous performing arts and dance courses. This year I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of work our creative students on our newer courses like Fashion, Graphics, Musical Theatre, Popular Music and Informatics come up with. Year after year, I see students progressing form school to university and on into work. For instance I met someone today who had started college with us doing GCSE level subjects, went onto University and now works in TV as a producer. One of the shows he works on is the X factor- but I was still pleased to see him. I could get serious now and tell you about how Creativity and Technology can change your life or how much money these industries make for the country . But I’d rather leave you to have a look through this newspaper. If you do decide to come to this college, maybe you could think of something you would like to put into the next edition of Create or the one after. It’s up to you, after all the most creative place in the world is in your head.
4
h
it w y n a omp C ce n a : D 2 1 h y / t n r u a e o p Y m mb o e e C t t ce a e Sep r an c D e anc c n Da da T Cey
S
tarting this September the Dance department valuable and exciting additional performance opportunities at Lewes will be formally creating a Youth Dance
both in college and the wider community.
Company which will be run in association with
What makes this project all the more valuable is that Ceyda
Ceyda Tanc Dance Company; a professional
Tanc is a former students of Sussex Downs, Lewes and since
dance company from Brighton. The Youth Dance
graduating from University she has begun forging a career
Company, under the Direction of Ceyda Tanc herself
for herself in a choreographic and education context. Ceyda
will produce contemporary dance focused work that will
is passionate about creating a unique movement language
challenge and inspire both the participating Sussex Downs
for herself but recognises the importance of educating and
students and the audience that will ultimately see the work.
inspiring students to participate in dance whatever level
The intention is to broaden both the dance experience for
they are at.
all the dancers involved whilst at the same time giving them
5
w e N h t u o Y e nc a D
Ceyda showcased her first full dance work at Sussex Downs
with Ceyda Dance Company and a sister company will also
Lewes End of Year Dance show at the Corn Exchange,
be running to create work for both internal show and per-
Brighton in June of this year to great acclaim. For current
formance in the wider community. This company will work
dance students to watch former students produce work in
with both contemporary and musical theatre style and will
a professional context was a truly inspiring moment and
also build on the existing link between the Lewes campus
anticipation for Ceyda Tanc and her company of dancers
of SDC and Priory School. Dance student from the Priory
beginning work with Lewes Dance students is very high.
School selected as part of a stretch and challenge initiative
The premiere of the Youth Dance Companies first work in
will be invited to join the second youth dance company.
association with Ceyda Tanc Dance Company will be at
Much like SDC Lewes, there is a thriving dance community
SDC Lewes on the 3rd & 4th December.
at Priory School and this link will make the bond between
The Youth Dance Company will also extend past the work
pupils and staff more successful in the future
6
H S E
now nly ng s a h as o fferi n e a h K n, it w test o dg m e a kr ificatioe his la g A in her spec to se p t a r een t g ance ents w o u t e e r d b cho level dvel stu ing. ies timely a c i r a h und t was nides new A 5 A leay even o a l b 5 ue r visi the U he angon the ll our Mond g a B REATE t v u n C the ern. O ssion i raced ovtishhome took a lls on i e r t s B de a t we rs We tiga e Mod ommi ts emb by a m s e a a v e m ht th Sadl d in ted Tat first c studen gulfed ies and n a rig sh at er t visi the . Our ng en s stor h é t y r b s D al d bei fu e fir Hall g s ld u t h o e n e t w e e S y , , stud ement Turbin y Tino d, enjo und us ce. e nge e h l v a t e l b e o l o p cha ages, rich and m d in th iations y puzz med ar great s o n t e l s ie ont To al art greete assoc slight swar d the t i m n s ortu ith film visu e were , These hough ormer aroun p p f t d od o ums, w ectors. as w r series and al he per echoe o g nd a i j t e e e o d h s e v r c c m e c a i le an ells. rien of art es wh h so rent m shing p m t e i r p o w ex rf lers W s e iffe o fla u ork rie ton p d w d at is for Sad uching in ee vide g art in een tw h o r w g Cro ned nd eaded so p eciatin le betw san a l y a b t r nks appr a batt is a and h effects an stun rm a t t a Tate ents on ns and f wh h bank visual lls. Kh transfo nd e o s Th stud ion e sout , with ael Hu and t arou atio t l l s r a e t ou e ins qu left th olo Mich speed lling i ies of s f o a full a, we voic t of ing by htning and ro melod eeper s s a d z e min l of piz isual f d light ith lig head nting w us d r u h o ies ful dible v Yip an spin w is bald e hau d dre porary t i W bell cre Tim lity to onto h ody. Th arm an ntem n i r u o an ector is abi eyes s b ic ch x of co s. i s i h r i h n i h o g Dés iger d s with rawin ected t r of film que m ojectio T i t d ing tuden er by isconn er laye his un ing pr n s h h the his fat otally d d anot rough d stun h n t into ough k adde s told t oice a ed. d by t e i y c v o h d ex as enjo as t lyn Po story a ents, n a m ired vities w Joce Khans move p s n ay i ng acti into Kathak w a i ame enrich and c s ent y of d a u t d s c nce ntasti a d a The all a f in Al l all.
sh a
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2
Postcards From New york March/12:
Visual Arts create some memories in New York City
Day one: Early start! Off at 6 am on a coach to Heathrow.
Day two: Up early, wretched jet-lag. Find diner nearby for
Long flight, spend it watching in-flight movies. Arrive at
breakfast. Waffles with maple syrup. Yum! Off as a group
Newark airport. Loads of security, makes you feel safe.
by bus to the Guggenheim. What a beautiful building! Well
Checking into the hotel. 4 of us to a room. The rooms are
impressed by the distorted metal sculptures of John Cham-
huge and we’ve got cable TV. Hotel in great location, right in berlain. Picnic lunch in the sunshine in Central Park. Afterthe heart of the Big Apple, only a stone’s throw from Times
noon spent in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Soo much
Square. We walk out and visit the Flatiron District. Early
art. The evening we allowed to be in smaller groups. We
evening we all venture up the Empire State Building to take
went to Times Square. It’s dazzling and there is such a vibe.
in the spectacular panoramic views. The wind turns us into
Took pizza back to hotel. Can’t believe we are nearly halfway
Jedward! As the sun sets the whole of Manhattan lights up
through this trip already!
like a massive Christmas tree.
9
Day three: Another day, another diner. Scrambled eggs and lots of coffee. Free refills! Start the day at MoMA. Incredible! Fantastic art, photography and design. Loved the Cindy Sherman show. Hot dog lunch. Then we all go to the Whitney. It’s their Biennale and the work is extraordinary. Night time. It’s a group meal at the Hard Rock Café. It’s great to be all together on our final night. Don’t want to go home. Day four: Last day. Boo hoo. Last diner breakfast. I going to miss starting the day like a real New Yorker. En masse to the International Centre of Photography, where there is a fantastic Weegee exhibition. Rest of the day SHOP-
PING! Buy some souvenirs and I ♥ NYC T-shirts for them back home but also treat myself to some must wears. Time’s up before you know it. Not enough hours in the day. All back, overnight flight, absolutely shattered. Best trip ever! When can we go again? A major part of the creative area at Lewes is to allow students to experience trips and visits locally, in London and for some lucky students, to experience culture in Europe and America.
10
September/13:
All New hori
Visual Arts create new and dynamic courses for aspiring artists and designers
Building on the expertise of there are exciting times ahe give you the opportunity to experience to meet your ne
NEW! A Level Textile Design
tration, advertising, packaging, visual communication and
You’ll start with experimentation and explore materials,
digital graphics, using both traditional and modern media.
techniques and processes leading towards an independent and original approach. Employing a range of specialist tex-
A Level Photography
tile equipment and expertise and linked with our computer
This course is designed around practical and theoretical
suites and print making facilities the course includes explor- application, knowledge and understanding. Lessons are atory and project work in all aspects of textile design. These
devised to develop, build and extend learning in both the
will include dyed fabric and materials, domestic textiles and
digital and chemical environment but also seeks broaden
wallpaper, interior design, constructed textiles and fashion,
your appreciation and expertise by undertaking extensive
using both traditional methods and new technologies.
research and critical development in the visual language of photography.
NEW! A Level Graphic Design Graphic Design is about understanding how to make effec-
A Level Art
tive visual communication in a complex environment. The
This course is structured to give you a clear understanding
target audience, technical and production restraints and the
of the techniques and processes accessible in our Art, Print
design process all influence the personal interpretation of
and Digital studios. You will be shown how to investigate
briefs and projects.
the ideas and intentions of artists and their work in more depth. You will explore drawing, painting, print making and
It includes practical project work and solving problems in all aspects of graphic design, including typography, illus-
the manipulation of some 3D materials.
izons!
f our successful and long established courses, from September 2013 ead for the highly successful Visual Arts Section at Lewes. We will select from six art and design specialisms and to tailor your learning eeds. Come with us if you want to draw, make and create.
A Level Art History
to work within 2 of the following areas: Fine Art, Design
This course develops your analytical abilities and critical vo- or Multimedia, but towards the end of the year you will be cabulary so that you can explore and interpret the world of
advised in the identification of your strength and a potential
Art, Design and the Arts in general in all of its richness and
pathway to produce outcomes for the final Synoptic Project.
diversity. This is an academic rather than a practical course,
This 2 A Levels qualification is highly regarded with our stu-
so you do not need to be able to draw, as the emphasis is on
dents frequently achieving and being placed in the top-ten
your written work. This subject clearly supports your studies nationally. in other Visual Arts course but also links well with other A level subjects such as English, Philosophy, Classics, History,
MIX AND MATCH
Media and Communications.
As a Level 3 student you can put together any combination of the Visual Arts subjects . Our Art and Design courses
A Level Applied Art and Design (Double)
presents exciting and challenging opportunities to learn
This highly structured course offers a broad induction into
much more about what it means to be creative. Our courses
a range of art & design skills, including 2D and 3D work,
are designed to build on the skills and enthusiasm you
as well as the opportunity to use traditional and modern
bring. We will help you acquire new skills, broaden your
media, materials and technology. You will be required to
knowledge, and help give you the confidence you need to
engage in all these disciplines to support your progress into
achieve your full potential in this rich and exciting subject
year two. Towards the end of the year you will be required
areaAs a creative and motivated student you will get unique
to develop ideas and produce a quality outcome for the
opportunities to participate in projects, trips, events and
Summative Project. In the second year you will be required
exhibitions.
12
a l P d or
W
3: 1 / r w e e b n m e g t n p i e S unn t s e t a re c s c i t app e s a b a Informa dat n e v i r d an iPad
for s e c a f inter
Informatics-what is that?
What I mean is making sense of the problems that
W
world.
hat is Informatics? What does the word mean and what do you do on the Informatics course?
Simply put, Informatics means solving problems with computers, phones, tablets and data. Now I don’t mean working out how to use your phone in the ordinary sense, just to make a call or text someone or still less, trying to call up someone’s name and number from your contacts.
everyone faces all day and everyday in the modern Finding answers to problems so that your world can keep on going round. I’m talking about things like how do you get your text structured in a document so that you can organise your ideas as you think of them? Think about it, wouldn’t it be good to have a structure that you could apply to your notes. A structure that helped you turn them into an essay? Right there, just for you. With all the references thrown in too, of course.
ay
Or maybe, what about this: how do you turn an old spreadsheet and some Word documents and phonephotos into a web site that reads well and looks great on a smartphone and is also sharp on someone’s desktop PC at the same time?
el an A lev s a s t n i S po s me UCA Info a s subject e r h t e h h t t i o w le skills n * A BTEC your study skills i at give you valuab ct je ts th * Suppor practical projects re and is a fun sub s he * Provide t working atmosp ea * Has a gr
: rmatics
Informatics is about finding the answers to these kinds of problem - problems that get thicker and trickier as we
We do:
need to interact with computers, smartphones, tablets
Structure and meaning: Why and when you use head-
and the Internet more and more.
ings and outline mode; Data to go: mobile apps and Databases for iPads; Managing the message: publishing
While we’re talking about it, what about getting a picture
to the web and print; Front end meanings: looking at the
from your phone to print out properly? Not looking like
interfaces that drive the way people interact with infor-
its full of square dots, and all the colours right too? That
mation.
is, to go from RGB to CMYK. You know what you want to do but do you know how to go about doing it?
Making things for real
Photoshop has a trick or two for that, and when you
Informatics is full of interesting practical projects that
know what’s going on behind the scenes, its fairly
teach you a range of useful skills to get by with and yes,
straightforward.
there are some smart spreadsheets that make life easier too.
We’ll show you how.. Ever felt embarrassed and at a loss when someone says
If that’s what Informatics is, who’s it for?
‘Could you take a look at that database, I can’t get it
Who’s it for - everyone. After all, everyone has to deal
working?’ Or what if someone else asks you ‘Can you get
with the kinds of questions that have cropped up here.
my iPad up and running?’ Then again, what if they said
To give you more of an idea, currently on Informat-
‘can you solve this problem with a database that runs
ics, there are students who do other courses in Dance,
on my iPad, just works and well, doesn’t look like one
Chemistry, Law, English, Business, Photography, iMedia,
of those boring things you do in school with Access but
Sport, Psychology, Art and English.
looks cool, like an app and, you know, just does what I want?’
Keeping a step ahead You may have heard of (the Minister for Education)
We’ll show you how..
Gove’s challenge to ‘rip up all the ICT Teaching specifi-
So what is Informatics? Well for one thing, Informatics
cations.’ We already did that.
doesn’t mean sitting around with a PC just looking at a lot of spreadsheets. We answer all of the questions above
Informatics:
and some more. How?
Take the challenge to the students and give them the head room to build the skills they need.
There’s a word for it: ‘skills’. The skills you need to get by
No exam, no revision but real study skills that you can
and the skills you need if you’re going to get a grip on
use directly on other subjects.
the modern world. Practical skills that will help you at
Up to date practical projects and practical outcomes,
college and afterwards at uni or in a job.
assessed at the centre.
14
Student to Web Agency iMedia to Links Creative James Harvey former iMedia student tells us where he has taken the skills he learned at college
Choosing to study iMedia was one of the best decisions I ever made. When I started, I’d never used a mac, opened Photoshop or built a website. Today, I’m typing this from a studio in central Brighton and, in an hour, I’ll be meeting my newest client to discuss the launch of a web application that’s going to be used by medical facilities all over the world. iMedia gave me the framework to discover what was possible, find out what I was good at and think about how I could use it in the real world. I went on to study Business & Management at University before founding Links Creative, the digital agency I run today. The tutors were fundamental to my journey and continue to support me through our partnership in the First Steps Project - a non-profit initiative supporting the development of commercial skills, in the higher education curriculum, through regular collaboration with local businesses.
W
The
spe ics
web
You
Flas
D
an
In
W
se
and
san
from
rem
Wh
Getting on with the tech: Interacting with live steaming video
Stu
ent
15
ow in town: In with the hottest sh have been choStudents from Lewes international sen to help out at the ’ festival. Its ‘Reasons to be Creative contacts and to a great place to make that matter in get to meet the people the industry.
What is iMedia?
e Interactive Media BTEC (we call it iMedia) is a course that
We have our own Foundation Degree and BA (top-up) in Dig-
ecialises in using computers as a creative tool, covering top-
ital Media Design here at Sussex Downs College. Our graduates
from graphic design for advertising, interface design for the
are working lots design and media jobs including at ITV, Poke
b, animation, digital video editing and interactive design.
and Epic.
u work in Abobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Dreamweaver,
iMedia student James Harvey went on to get a degree in Busi-
sh) and Apple Production Studio (Final Cut Pro, Motion,
ness from the University of Sussex, and then set up his own web
DVD Studio Pro) to create adverts, web pages, film trailers,
nimations and showreels.
design agency Links Creative, combining his business acumen with the web design skills he developed on his iMedia course. James has returned to Sussex Downs College several times to
nteractive Media Goes to Web Labs
share his experience of setting up a web design business with
We recently took students to an exhibition at the Science Mu-
current iMedia students.
eum celebrating the power of the internet to connect people
d shrink distances. Students had their portraits drawn in
Digital Media Design Volunteers
nd by a robot, played musical instruments with internet users
Reasons to be Creative is a festival for artists, designers and
m across the globe and watched 360° video streamed from
mote locations.
hat happens after iMedia?
coders who use computers as a creative tool. It’s three inspiring days of talks by designers, networking with professionals and learning about their field which Digital Media Design students threw themselves into.
udents from iMedia have gone on to study at university and
ter into careers in the digital media sector.
A team of volunteers from Sussex Downs College were ticket collectors, guides and helpers at Reasons, and they came back with contacts, ideas and stories to inspire them.
COMPUTING A LEVEL
The A Level Computing course is aimed at students interested in gaining a deep understanding of Com-
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT BTEC puter Science. EXAMS CODE AND MOBILE APPS If you’re interested in studying a computer re-
lated subject at University and/or are interested in pursuing a career as a programmer, software engineer,
In 2012
solutions architect or IT
Compu
consultant then this course
passed
is for you.
achiev
During the first year, we focus on teaching you how
to program in Python and the fundamental operation
of computer architecture. In the second year we take learning into the abstract and explore concepts such as what does computation and computability mean.
You will also identify a real end user who requires an IT solution, such as a small local business. You will
have overall responsibility project managing all phase of the project from analysing customer requirements
to designing, testing and implementing the final solution for the end user. You will be responsible for the
I
n 2011, Sussex Downs College became the first 6th
Within the first few weeks all of the students had pitched
form college to offer the award-winning Apps for Good
their ideas for the next killer app to a panel of industry ex-
programme, (appsforgood.org). A course that teaches
perts. During the months that followed the teams worked on
students develop mobile apps to change their world.
their ideas by developing wireframes, prototypes and a final pitch including creating a video to market their app.
The new BTEC Software Development course was conceived
In May 2012, two teams from Sussex Downs College we
to develop skills to help students gain employment in the IT
selected as finalists to attend the Barbican centre in London.
sector, designing and building software.
The day included a day of workshops on mobile app design and gamification, run by leading players in the industry such
17
budget, delivering against timescales and evaluating the final solution. In 2012, one of our student’s project was to design a robotic lighting rig for a theatre that sensed the location of actors on stage and followed their movement using Arduino board. Essen-
2, 100% of A2
tially building a Kinect box for
uting students
the arts.
d and 40%
ved an A*-B.
To apply, you’ll need a Grade B or above in GCSE Mathematics and Science.
n
International students should have a minimum IELTS
e
score of 6 (or equivalent). These are in addition to the standard college entry requirements for the programme you have chosen. All applicants will also be interviewed by a member of the course team where
n
we will be looking for evidence for a strong aptitude and passion for Computing and programming.
es
-
What do other students say about this course? “There aren’t many courses out there that let you build a robot!”
as We Are Human. During the evening, the finalists each
sentative. This academic year has already got off to a flying
had 60 seconds to pitch their app ideas to a panel of industry
start as we have been fortunate to be selected for a new pilot
leaders from companies including Samsung, Barclaycard,
which will require the students to develop, build and pitch
Virgin and BlackBerry.
their apps to the social networking giant, Facebook.
During the judging process, one of the apps caught the attention from a representative from No. 10 and the following week, a team from Sussex Downs travelled again to meet and discuss their ideas, this time with a Downing Street repre-
18
Creativity is not logical
October/12 TV & Film CREATE edge movies
BTEC Creative Media (Film and Television Production)
shared on the course you will progress throug that will help you grow in both directions.
For example if you were studying with us righ Creativity is not logical. Films are not logical - just think about what you watch!
moved through a planned cycle of workshops
‘Adventure Time’ is not logical. ‘Dark Knight’ is not logical. ‘Lord of The Rings’ is
beginnings of film. In the first week you would
not logical. They are ‘random’ and they are ‘weird’ and ‘strange’. So where do these
ity, painted in a cave, made vision persist, crea
ideas come from? Not from thinking logically that’s for sure.
pages and photographs and turned a record pl table.
How do they get made? Not from being lost in the dream world that’s for sure. The trouble is there has to be a balance between the creative, free thinking re-
If you paid attention to all these ideas and trie
quired to conjure up these weird and wonderful worlds and the focus and logic
attempt at each you would have begun to und
it takes to turn these ideas into something that can be watched and shared with
comes from alongside starting to use animatio
others. Because of this tension (between creativity and practical logic) sometimes
your own.
creativity and creative courses can feel ‘all over the place’.
Later on as the weeks progressed you would h Some of the time you need to have your head in the clouds, some of the time you
of the ‘photo-roman’ and pixilation animation
need to have your feet firmly on the ground. Luckily for you the Creative Media
surprised by the extraordinary ‘La Jette’, organ
(Film & TV Production) course has been thought out with this in mind and as the
quence in film editing software, matched imag
weeks roll on you should feel yourself grow as a creative dreamer with stories to
narration, photographed light, played with sti
tell as well as a practical crafter that can fashion those dreams into actual moving
and investigate stories and begun to think abo
films. Both sides of this coin are hard work and both take practice and patience.
ideas come.
Not everything works out straight away.
Phew – and that’s just the first two weeks. So w
join us and deepen your understanding of film Take comfort by accepting that if you follow up all the things that are offered and
as well as starting to dream up and create your
19
t
REATE cutting
gh carefully planned experiences
ht now you would have just exploring animation and the
d have thought about creativ-
ated movement with single
layer into an animation
ed your best to make an
derstand where animation
on techniques to create
have watched examples
n techniques, been
nised images in a se-
ges to sound and
ill pictures to tell
out where your own
why not come and
m and television
r own?
20
S
o first the heavy bit:
the A2 course comprises two
units of which a staggering amount of the
assessment (80%) is through written work, in a 3500 word essay and an end of year exam. Now the fun bit, as the majority of the year’s work in class is practical with the emphasis as a student on your own creativity, interpretive and collaborative skills, imagination, initiative, all combined with commitment and hard work.
The show in the second year is a devised piece of theatre drawing on a variety of different influences and performed as Site-Specific Promenade Theatre, where the actors and audience move around from space to space. The second unit is in relation to the exam which comprises two parts. Firstly you are in the role of a Director creating your own imaginary production of an Ancient Greek Comedy (Lysistrata) about women going on a sex strike to stop a war.
S RT A NG I PERFORM
& S CAREER AY D ON I S S PROGRE
Lizzie Zeyfert, Venue Man the All Saints Centre, Fr Walk, Lewes.
On Wednesday 17th October 2012 the Performing Arts Department held its 10th Anniversary Careers and Progression Day in the Performing Arts Centre in Lewes with some of the best Drama schools in the country running workshops, talks and events for our current students. Mountview Academy, Rose Bruford, LAMDA, Central School of Speech and Drama and the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, as well as Chichester University, Middlesex University and Northbrook College, all presented events designed to ensure that students from the department are prepared for the best possible progression routes.
Workshops in acting, audition techniques, singing, dance, de
and production were all full as students took advantage of th
opportunity to improve their skills and abilities, and to prepa themselves for progression.
Curriculum leader Linda Banks said it was “a particularly spe
way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Careers Day”, es
cially as one of the workshop leaders was one of our former s
dents, Josie Dunn, currently appearing in the West End in Ba beat and about to transfer to Los Angeles.
For such a successful day, we could have had no finer exampl
of the opportunities the department offers and where success Lewes can lead to.
21
Productions we have seen over the last few years include You then answer questions on how you would rehearse your
a riotous Midsummer Night’s Dream by Filter and an
actors, and your overall production interpretation for a
astonishing Hamlet at the National.
modern audience. Students that have done the course have progressed in a The second part to the exam is a comparative essay between
variety of whole different directions: onto Dance School
a Shakespeare play that we go to see and how it may have
(London Studio) and into Mathew Bourne’s Swan Lake; onto
been performed in Shakespeare’s time.
Drama School and into the West End (Backbeat); or doing Drama at University (UEA, Royal Holloway, Chichester,
We try to go to see a production in London, taking in a
Queen Mary’s etc); Classics at Exeter & Cambridge, or even
tour of Shakespeare’s Globe and the National Theatre.
Zoology at Imperial.
nager of riars
esign
he
are
ecial
spe-
stu-
ack-
le
s at
My name is Lizzie Zeyfert and I am the Venue Manager of the All Saints Centre, Friars Walk, Lewes. When I was approached by Sabina Townsend about having an exhibition of student work here I was very happy to be able to offer the space to students on the Visual Arts. In the 2011 exhibition we were overloaded with amazing pieces using many different art techniques. At the beginning of the project we were going to choose four to display but as it was so hard to choose which ones we would display we ended up showing thirteen! The Private View was attended by the Mayor and many of the Town Councillors and local artists and designers, who were all extremely impressed by the high standard of the work displayed. I went to Sussex Downs College from 2002 to 2004 where I studied Double Award Performing Arts, Media Studies and Photography. I studied for a Foundation Degree in Venue Management at Northbrook College in Worthing, which was a natural progression for me and has helped me enormously with my career. The All Saints Centre is a Community, Arts and Youth Centre, about ten minutes walk from Sussex Downs College. My role as Venue Manager is to take and look after bookings. I also look after the maintenance of this historic building. We prioritise community groups and not-for-profit organisations, over commercial and private events. We have recently set up Film at All Saints where we are showing current films on a traditional 35mm projector. For this I look after the ticketing and marketing as well as the front of house. Sussex Downs College and the All Saints Centre are working together again this year so I am really excited about seeing what the students produce this time. I am also really looking forward to more theatre productions by students on the Theatre/Drama courses being rehearsed and performed here.
22
On the Stree . a r e Op e In th An extr P
roduction
Arts at Sussex Downs truly lives up to its
status – “The Rock & Roll Course of the College”.
video, lights, sound, film, stage management and they all become members of Lewes youth Theatre Production – a vibrant and up and coming community production resource.
The recent Creative Choices day, at the Theatre was facilitated by SDC students on the Production course.
Those students that progress to the second year are put through their paces on many varied and exciting site specific
They rocked to the “Air Guitar Hero Video Workshop” and all
events, some utilising acting students from the college and
participants (year 9’s interested in Production) walked away
some completely independent and out in the real world.
having played air guitar on the main stage, operated a vision mixed and with a mask moulded specifically around their face
Last year’s projects included a range of fabulous and exciting
– truly inspired
shows. The fifth year of “Commedia De’Lewes”, a full produc-
T
his is no ordinary course
with no ordinary co-
ordinator. Phil Rose (or Philip Rhodes in the business)
gives a grounding of all disciplines in year one, mask making,
tion stage in the middle of the shopping precinct on Lewes late night shopping night.
23
ets... ...
ravaganza! T
he highly acclaimed
“Evening of Shakespeare” at
Michelham Priory, a promenade inside and out the
T
his extravaganza featured over
100 members of the
cast . King Henry himself was played by Arthur Brown,
magical venue with much fire and fury.
the God of Hellfire.
There was also “Tongue & Groove’s Pells Pool Party” the 7th
The event was sold out many times over and LYT have won the
year of this huge fundraising event by a Phil’s band to save
pitch to create a bigger event for the 750th Anniversary of the
the treasured outside pool, “PATINA” the massive moving on
famous battle in the Priory Ruins.
parade around Lewes for year 6’s which involves 14 primary schools and over 600 children.
W
ho is bidding for the
funding to make this project
happen? Of course, SDC Production Arts Students
Last but not least, Lewes Yuoth Theatre put together “The Bat-
and Lewes Youth Theatre. If the £50000 bid for is secured –
tle of Lewes Experience in 4D”. This was an immense spectacle
there will be an exciting couple of years ahead … and a lot
– a sound and light show which involved blowing up Lewes
more to rock and roll about …
Castle.
W
hen you finish at school, you will have some GCSEs and other qualifications, if you want to progress further in
education towards university or a better job, you will need to add to your qualifications but which ones should you choose? Everyone knows that you can do A levels (which are made up of year long AS and A2 courses) or BTECs (which can be single or double) and which are also divided up into year long sections. Alternatively, you could, if you prefer, choose only to do A levels but then again, you could equally opt for a BTEC only provision or even choose a mixed programme of both A levels and BTECs. Confused? Its highly likely and at first glance it all looks more than a little perplexing but there are clear choices to be made and some-
as an AS and then ’walk away’ from the subject with a grade and in
where in the mess of options, there is the right decision for you to
effect, half an A level (with all the UCAS points your grade entitles
make. To find out where, read on...
you to).
The most important thing to remember is that there are advantages
In the first year of life at college it is accepted that the majority of
and disadvantages with each choice and knowing what the benefits
students will undertake four AS level (or equivalent) courses and
or drawbacks of each pathway might be, will help you make the right
choose to drop one at the end of the year after the summer exams.
decision about your future. You are, after all, deciding the first steps
The advantage of the AS to A2 system is that this can be done and
for your career path.
the year spent on the subject that is dropped isn’t wasted as the student will have a certificate, grade and UCAS points to show for their
A levels
work.
Generally, A levels take two years to complete with the first year called an AS course and the second an A2.
For many students, the drawback with the A level system is the exam base which requires heavy periods of revision and a ‘high wire’ exam
Both of these year long courses require an exam and often some ad-
day performance with little or no ‘safety net’. If you make a mess of
ditional course work. Generally, but not in every case, the award for
your exam in January you get another chance in June but that is the
an AS or an A2 is given as 60% for the exam and 40% for the course
only fall back.
work. The only strength of this double chance is that a student can take Normally, A level exams can be sat at two points in the year, one in
the exam in January and again in May/ June. The highest score of
January and the other in May/June.
the two exams is the one that is recorded and used. That is to say, take the exam in January, get a B and then sit again in June and get a
AS level
C, and B is the grade that is recorded for the year. (The expectation
You have to do an AS one year course in a subject before you can go
would be that the student might get an A grade in May/ June having
on and do the A2 but you can also choose to do only the first year
achieved a B in January).
A double BTEC is called a BTEC Diploma and consists of two years. In the first a student does a full BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and in the second completes with a course simply called ‘Diploma’. On a single award BTEC, a student would do three units in the first year of the Certificate and then another three on the second year of the Subsidiary Diploma, giving a total of six for the full two years. On a double award Diploma BTEC, a student would do six units on the first year, the Subsidiary Diploma and a further six on the second year, giving twelve units in total. Therefore, three BTEC units in a year equals an AS or A2 course. Six units in a year on a double BTEC equals a full A level and twelve over two years is equivalent to two A levels. BTEC courses are practically based and entirely founded on course
A2 level Go on and do the second year of the A level, the A2 year, and you will have to do another exam and possibly some more course work again. When you have taken the A2 exam and submitted your course work, you will receive a grade for both A2 scores and an overall A level grade that is an amalgamation of the AS and A2 grades. This final grade is arrived at through complex calculations designed to ensure fairness, value of student effort and a recognition of the progression of difficulty between the two years of the full A level.
BTECs BTEC courses come as single and double award courses and are worth very much the same as one single A level or two A levels respectively. A single BTEC course is called a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and is generally worth the same UCAS points as an A level. The first year of a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma is called a BTEC Certificate and is similarly equivalent to an AS level and carries the same UCAS points.
work with no exam (although that will likely change in the future with a possible 75% course work and 25% exam breakdown.) BTEC courses are now generally assessed at the centre, subject to internal and external verification systems. In the past, BTECs were said to be less attractive to some universities and that remains the case with Oxford and Cambridge and some of the ‘red brick’ universities but, by and large, BTECs are nationally recognised and fully accepted now by universities and employers. A levels remain an attractive option for the more academic students who are used to working to and preparing for written exams and BTECs tend to be valued more by students who perform less well in exam based courses. Many students find that a mixed programme of BTECs and A levels provides an attractive option that helps to manage revision and exam periods and allows for the fourth subject to be retained into the second year of college-life. This last point is an important one in an increasingly competitive world.
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