Specialism
Acton High - Media Arts and Applied Learning Specialism
We are very proud to have two specialisms in Media Arts and Applied Learning. As a Media Arts school we are pioneering developments in three specialist subjects; Media, Art & Graphics. We have used our status as a specialist school to develop the use of new technologies as effective tools for teaching and learning across the curriculum. Our Applied learning status means that we work with a variety of employers, local training providers, schools and colleges to ensure that we can offer a variety of courses to meet the varying needs of our students and the community.
Media
In Media we are offering a range of courses; GCSE Film Studies, GCSE Media and the Creative & Media Higher Diploma. We have formed links with Media businesses and practitioners in our community. We have had visits from a professional Senior News Producer from GMTV, we have forged links with a professional filmmaking company (Chocolate Films) and award winning advertising professionals who have supported many projects such as GCSE Media coursework.
Students have had the opportunity to visit Sky News and the British Film Institute. They have also participated in National Schools Film Week screenings & masterclasses, Middlesex University Television Production courses and Bournemouth University Screen Academy Film Summer School. Information Technology has been at the heart of our curriculum development and we have invested in specialist media equipment in professional film making kit.
Art
In art we are working with several specialist artists to support the teaching and learning in this field. They will become a regular part of the Curriculum for each topic.
Year 10, Animated Heads Workshop
Year 10, Carnival Float Workshops with Carl Gabriel
At KS3 the course consists of 3 themes each year to cover 3 different specialist areas, 3D design & ceramics, drawing & painting and printmaking & mixed media. Our schemes of work are designed to introduce students to an understanding of the GCSE qualification.
Graphics
Graphic Design at Acton High School is both a popular and well established course. As part of the specialism we are always looking for innovative and exciting developments in technology that we can use to enhance the curriculum and learning experience of our students.
We will be purchasing a state-of-the-art laser cutter in the very near future which will bring a new dimension to graphics. Our laser cutter will allow students to really understand the industrial processes of how products are made. This is invaluable to the growing future of the subject. We are also looking forward to introducing new courses to extend the GCSE course we currently offer.