What are the top schools/colleges to major in Art?

My parents won't let me take Art for GCSE's?

• For my GCSE's, I'm thinking of taking German, Spanish, Media Studies, Music and Art. I'm also taking the Triple Science Award. However, my parents won't let me do Art because they are totally convinced that Art takes up too much time. Also, someone told my parents that Art GCSE's has an ungodly amount of work. Is this true? For everyone who did Art, did you enjoy it? My Art teacher really wants me to do Art because she thinks I have a lot of potential. I really enjoy Art in school and I am extremely passionate about it. Also, the school identified me as Gifted & Talented in it. My parents also think that Art is extremely hard to judge (for example if you would judge a painting, some people might like it and some might not) and is extremely personal. My Art teacher thinks I have a very different and unique style in Art. Instead of Art, my parents want me to do DT Resistant Materials. But I'm pretty sure that they are similar when it comes to work. How can I convince my parents to let me take Art? And how difficult is it to get a good grade in Art? Please help! jan xx

• Answer:

  I think your parents are right. One of the problems with GCSEs in general is that they have become much more prescriptive about what is the "right" way to answer. Originality does not score marks. This means that your "unique" style might make it hard for you to get a good grade. Whether or not the DT is the same amount of work, the grade you get is more likely to reflect the amount of work you have put in. There is also an issue of what you are hoping to do afterwards. Some GSCEs are considered to be more valuable than others by Further and Higher Educational establishments (and by apprenticeship schemes). You need to be careful that you are not doing too many of the subjects regarded as "soft" or "vocational" as this can affect the choices you have later. I would suggest that you are already doing Media Studies, and both Music and Art are often considered to fall into this category. THe only real argument I can see for doing Art is if this is a subject you will definitely need for whatever further studies you intend to do.