Meet Layla! A student at Ludlow Sixth Form College, currently studying A Level Fine Art, English Literature, and Film Studies.
Layla says her love for creative subjects runs in the family. “My dad is a graphic designer, so I’ve always been doing artistic stuff,” she shares. At college, she has fully embraced her interests, especially in film and art, enjoying the freedom to explore new ideas and projects.
One of Layla’s standout experiences has been creating her own short films. “For our film exam, we had to make a short film independently. It was so fun, we used tripods, cameras, and edited it using Premiere Pro. My tutor gave us great feedback, and we had the time to improve our final draft.”
Her involvement didn’t stop there. Layla also joined a film club, collaborating with classmates she hadn’t met before, and together they submitted a film to the London Film Festival. “It was amazing to work with new people and even get through a few rounds! That experience helped me make new friends and really challenged me creatively,” she says.
Since starting college, Layla has noticed significant personal growth. “I was pretty shy before, but my confidence has grown a lot. Working in groups and having the independence that college offers has really helped me find my voice.”
She also appreciates the supportive environment at Ludlow College. “I’ve never felt stuck or afraid to ask for help. Tutors are very helpful and provide detailed feedback, which has been great for my learning in subjects like English and Film.”
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Layla plans to take a gap year before starting university, with goals to work, save money, learn to drive and gain more life experience. She’s already received offers from five universities, including unconditional offers from her top choices, Cardiff and Falmouth, where she hopes to study illustration and pursue a career in creative direction, concept art, or working on music videos and film.
“Coming to college has really given me a sense of direction. If I hadn’t spent these two years here, I don’t think I would have discovered my dream career path,” she reflects.
Layla has encouraging advice for those considering Ludlow Sixth Form College:
“Don’t stress too much about picking the right subjects. Try what you enjoy, and you’ll discover what inspires you. Even if none of your friends are coming here, the college community makes it easy to make new connections.”
She also highlights the college’s location as a plus. “Being right in town is great. In summer, we’d often take our revision down to the river or explore the castle. It’s such a lovely environment for both learning and relaxing.”
Outside the classroom, Layla has embraced enrichment opportunities, including film enrichment classes and museum trips to places like the Tate Modern. These experiences have allowed her to explore her interests further, make friends, and create lasting memories.
Layla’s journey illustrates how Ludlow Sixth Form College provides a nurturing and creative environment, helping students grow academically and personally.
With her talents and newfound confidence, Layla is ready to take on her gap year and future studies with a clear sense of purpose.
Find out more about A Level Fine Art: HERE
Find out more about A Level English Literature: HERE
Find out more about A Level Film Studies: HERE