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Arts Award Qualification
Build Skills. Gain Confidence. Get Certified
A nationally recognised qualification open for ages 5-25yrs
Welcome to Arts Award at The Art School Chester! Our Arts Award programme is designed to inspire young people to explore, create, and achieve through the arts. Recognised nationally, Arts Award encourages participants to grow their skills, express their creativity, and develop a deeper understanding of the arts while building confidence and gaining accredited qualifications.
Through engaging, hands-on projects, students of all levels – from Discover to Bronze, Silver, and Gold – can immerse themselves in a structured journey tailored to ignite their creative potential. Guided by our experienced instructors, each award level offers unique challenges and opportunities, helping young artists to not only build their portfolios but also to experience the transformative power of the arts.
Join us to explore, learn, and achieve in a supportive and inspiring environment – where creativity knows no bounds!
The 5 different levels can help all young people progress, from those who are having their very first arts experiences, right up to those with advanced skills.
The journey:
We recommend starting on Discover and working your way through the awards.
If your child is 11yrs plus, they could begin with Explore. If they are high achievers and hard working in the Arts, and looking at taking or already working at GCSE level, they can begin at Bronze level if they are over the age of 11years.
Please enquire if you wish to start from Silver, but this is under exceptional circumstances. See below to learn more about each award!
The Levels:
suitable for
5 - 18yrs
Discover Arts Award
Discover is an introductory level, certified by Trinity College London. Students are introduced to inspiring artists and guided through fun art projects!Ages 5 - 17yrs
Discover arts award - min of 12 lessons (2 courses to complete)
The Aim of the qualification Arts Award Discover encourages learners to develop a basic understanding of a range of art forms, to commit to taking part in arts activities and to develop a basic understanding of communication.
Suitable for 11-18yrs
Silver Arts Award
Silver Arts Award Course: Unlock Your Creativity and Leadership Skills!
Our Silver Arts Award Course is designed for young people aged 11-25 who want to deepen their artistic abilities, explore creative careers, and develop leadership skills. It is a Level 2 qualification that is widely recognised across the UK. It is working to the same standard to a GCSE and is designed to help young people aged 14-25 deepen their engagement with the arts, develop their leadership skills, and gain a deeper understanding of creative careers.
What You’ll Achieve:
Develop Creative Skills:
Explore Professional Pathways
Gain Leadership Experience
suitable for 5 - 18yrs
Explore Arts Award
The Explore Arts award challenges students to explore a variety of art and medium over a course of 3 projects, inspiring students with artists and helping them identify what they like!Ages 5 - 18yrsExplore arts award - minimum of 18 lessons (3 terms)
Explore allows students to delve a little deeper into the types of art that they enjoy, whilst still learning new art forms.
They are taught skills to evaluate their work and make choices in their art, whilst learning about new artists and being inspired! Suitable for ages 5 - 18yrs
Suitable for 11-18yrs
Bronze Arts Award
Through Bronze Arts Award, young people gain a Level 1 qualification. They create an arts portfolio to record their progress over 4 projects, collecting evidence of what they do along the way.
24 lessons (4 terms)
This is a national qualification and holds that is working at the standard as a GCSE!
Teaching students how to research their art interests, and develop their own art skills from that, this course is perfect for students who are looking to develop a career in the arts. Suitable for ages 11 - 18yrs. This award can be bolted onto our termly courses to achieve the award. To book onto a course, please click which age range and add the Arts Award package to that course. . 11-16yrs
What’s included
Everything in our weekly art class, plus:
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Arts Award accreditation on successful completion (Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver & Gold – level guided by age and readiness)
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Portfolio development: Support creating a sketchbook / portfolio that evidences learning and creativity
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Artist research & inspiration: Exploring artists, styles and creative processes in an age-appropriate way
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Reflection & creative journaling: Helping children talk and write about their ideas and progress
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Guided support from trained Arts Award advisors: We help structure, track and prepare work for submission
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Moderation & certification: Work is submitted and moderated, with certificates awarded on completion
How it works in practice
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Arts Award is completed within the weekly art class over a minimum duration (Discover = 3 months / Explore = 4 months)
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Children remain in the same class group
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There is no exam and no pressure
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Progress happens gradually, at a pace that suits each child
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We submit their work when they have completed the minimum learning hours, and their portfolio is ready
Most children work towards their award over a term or longer, depending on the level.
Membership:
Membership payments include the monthly cost of the course and is the total price you pay. Payments are spread across 12 months to keep costs low. Payments are still required during holiday periods.
£60 per month (weekday class)
Ages 6-10yrs
£64 per month Saturday class
£75 per month for Discover & Explore Awards
Ages 11-16yrs
£80 per month for Bronze / Silver / Gold Award
All prices are inclusive of VAT.
Trinity stipulate a minimum number of teaching hours to achieve each art award. The below timeline is based on their minimum teaching hours. Students need to work committed to their arts award to achieve it within this time frame. We will do everything we can to help the student achieve a Pass but the work must be completed by themselves.
Discover = approx 3 months to achieve
Explore = approx 4 Months to achieve.
Explore = approx 4 Months to achieve.
Bronze = approx 6 months to achieve.
Silver = approx 12 months to achieve.
Gold = approx 18-24 months to achieve.
Arts Award is optional and can be added once a child is settled in the programme.