The Diploma experience

Holly is in Year 10. She chose the Higher Diploma in Creative and Media as one of her key stage 4 options. She spends two days a week working towards her Diploma, one day in school and the other at a local college. She'll be taking exams in the functional skills of ICT, English and mathematics but her other Diploma work is assessed through evidence collected over the two years of the course.

'I chose the Diploma because it was completely different from the other options as it offered me different ways of learning creative skills and about the media. I find learning much easier now as it is all connected and therefore easier to understand.'

As part of her Diploma, Holly worked on a project with an acclaimed local gallery. She helped to set up an exhibition of work that included photography, music, performances and 2D and 3D art. She also helped to develop educational activities and workshops for visitors and local schools.

'The gallery project was a lot of fun but it also gave me real experience of work.'