Tradition of Excellence in Art Continues with Outstanding A Level & GCSE Success

West Buckland School’s outstanding Art results at A Level & GCSE once again highlight the strength of its creative provision.

 

Exceptional student talent, expert teaching and a culture of ambition continue to deliver success and inspire young artists.

The continued success of Art students demonstrates the exceptional strength of West Buckland School's creative provision, with another year of outstanding A Level and GCSE results reinforcing a pattern of excellence that has become a hallmark of the department.

In recent years, several West Buckland Art students recognised by OCR for achieving among the highest marks nationally, underlining the department's sustained record of excellence. These prestigious recognitions are awarded to a small number of candidates whose examination and coursework portfolios demonstrate exceptional technical skill, creativity and academic achievement.

Recent recipients include:

2024: Jinx M-M (GCSE)
2025: Sam C and Milly L (A Level)
2026: Emily F (A Level), Fergus R and Lottie M (GCSE)



Sixth Form Entrants Thrive

Particularly significant is the number of students who have joined the school specifically for Sixth Form and gone on to secure exceptional outcomes in Art.

Among this year's successful students were:

Emily F, who joined from Great Torrington School and achieved an A* in A Level Art.
Isla K, who joined from Great Torrington School and achieved an A.
Emma C, who joined from Ilfracombe Academy and achieved an A.
Imogen H, who joined from Braunton Academy and achieved an A.

The trend is not new. In 2025, Sam C, who joined from Braunton Academy, achieved an A* in A Level Art.

Scholarship Students Leading the Way

Sam, Emily and Imogen are amongst a number of students awarded prestigious Art Scholarships on joining the Sixth Form, further highlighting West Buckland's reputation for attracting and nurturing talented young artists from across the region.

These results demonstrate not only exceptional individual achievement but also the department's proven ability to nurture students from a variety of educational backgrounds and help them realise their artistic potential. The success of West Buckland's young artists extends well beyond examination results. Both Sam C and Imogen H secured places directly onto highly competitive and prestigious university art courses. Sam is now studying BA Fine Art: Painting at Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, while Imogen will begin a BA Illustration degree at the University of Brighton this autumn. Meanwhile, Emily and Emma will continue their artistic journeys on the highly regarded Art Foundation course at Exeter College, providing a strong platform for progression to specialist degree courses and careers within the creative industries.

Expert Teaching and Individual Support

Head of Art, Mrs Elizabeth Argyle, said: 'We are incredibly proud of our students and the consistency of their achievements year after year. These results reflect their creativity, dedication and willingness to challenge themselves, as well as the outstanding teaching and individual support provided by our staff. It is particularly pleasing to see so many students who joined us for Sixth Form thrive and achieve such excellent outcomes.'

The Art department has built a reputation for combining ambitious academic expectations with a highly supportive environment. Students benefit from expert specialist teaching, extensive enrichment opportunities and access to exceptional facilities that enable them to develop their technical skills, creative confidence and personal artistic voice.

Exceptional Facilities for Creative Excellence

Central to this provision is the school's state-of-the-art, award-winning Art, Design and Drama building. Opened in 2010, the iconic 150 Building was designed by Rundell Associates, with funding support and creative collaboration from renowned British artist Damien Hirst. The inspiring facility provides students with outstanding studio spaces and specialist resources, creating an environment where creativity can flourish and artistic talent can thrive.


A Destination of Choice for Young Artists

It is this combination of expert teaching, individual support and exceptional facilities that continues to produce outstanding outcomes year after year. The success of recent cohorts reinforces the department's status as a destination of choice for aspiring young artists across North Devon, with many students choosing to join West Buckland specifically for Sixth Form to benefit from the high-quality creative opportunities on offer.

As another year of exceptional results is celebrated, the message is clear: West Buckland's Art department continues to provide talented young artists with the inspiration, guidance and opportunities needed to achieve at the very highest level.

West Buckland School Open Events

Prospective families are warmly invited to visit the school and experience the West Buckland community first hand.

Whole School Open Day: Saturday 19 September, 9.30am
Sixth Form Open Evening: Wednesday 7 October, 5.30pm

For further details and booking information, visit:www.westbuckland.com/september-open-day

August 2026