+
Twitter Wall

Twitter Wall

Close

06/07/25

There are many reasons why a student might struggle with attendance at school. Valley Park has a dedicated team to help & support you. To speak to someone, contact us by phone or email & a member of the attendance team will get back to you. pic.twitter.com/MpOCCasUkd— Valley Park School () July 6, 2025

05/07/25

Ashura holds different meanings for Sunni and Shia Muslims. Sunnis celebrate it as the day Moses parted the Red Sea & the salvation of the Israelites. For Shias, it is a day of mourning for Husayn ibn Ali's martyrdom, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. pic.twitter.com/3wtiRS2P3N— Valley Park School () July 5, 2025

04/07/25

House Points update... pic.twitter.com/xCVrxTMdeU— Valley Park School () July 4, 2025

04/07/25

We welcomed our new year 7 students for their transition day yesterday. Ms Flannery, their Head of Year, is really excited to get to know each and every one of them!#wearevalleyparktransition pic.twitter.com/7w7fSW2EzP— Valley Park School () July 4, 2025

01/07/25

Celebrating year 7 student Max, who has achieved the new rank of a Colour Sergeant. On Friday, Max attended the Headcorn aerodrome with his commandant and was invited to the MBC Mayor's lunch, which helped kick-start the Battle of Britain airshow. Well done Max! pic.twitter.com/7QojNXgj9s— Valley Park School () July 1, 2025

29/06/25

58% of Year 7-11 pupils who missed school at the start of the year went on to miss at least 10% of sessions across the whole academic year. Fischer Family Trust#everylessoncounts#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/7n6HO97RfS— Valley Park School () June 29, 2025

27/06/25

House points update... pic.twitter.com/0IwMxWJkas— Valley Park School () June 27, 2025

27/06/25

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a prominent Roman Catholic devotion, symbolising Jesus' Divine love for humanity through His physical heart. It emphasises the unmitigated love, compassion, and long-suffering of the heart of Christ towards humanity. pic.twitter.com/gX6mUi5Bgw— Valley Park School () June 27, 2025

27/06/25

Hannah and Jasmine, Valley Park students and Bearsted Football Club Under-15s players, were invited to watch the England Lionesses train at St George’s Park recently, as they prepare for the upcoming UEFA EURO tournament! 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/I3qKXhxrVg— Valley Park School () June 27, 2025

27/06/25

On Tuesday 24 June Valley Park Shakespeare Society performed an extract from The Merchant of Venice as part of the RSC associate school project. Despite morning rain, the outdoor performance at Samphire Hoe was a success. pic.twitter.com/BhS7FeuO7R— Valley Park School () June 27, 2025

26/06/25

It's V in the Park on Saturday 28 June from Midday - don't miss this fabulous annual music event on the Valley Park Field.#wearevalleypark#wearevinthepark pic.twitter.com/2aIZIEmmwP— Valley Park School () June 26, 2025

22/06/25

There are many reasons why a student might struggle with attendance at school. Valley Park has a dedicated team to help & support you. To speak to someone, contact us by phone or email & a member of the attendance team will get back to you. pic.twitter.com/rXhg7UfxGN— Valley Park School () June 22, 2025

20/06/25

Our newest Sixth Formers started today – say hello to our 9 new chicks! Our Sixth Formers are learning about responsibility in Personal Development, and as part of this, are responsible for incubating, feeding, cleaning and watering our new arrivals! pic.twitter.com/DD70VvVM6f— Valley Park School () June 20, 2025

20/06/25

We have 3 amazing shows for you during this year's Arts Week: Dance Extravaganza, Romeo & Juliet, and 13 The Musical. If you want to buy tickets, please visit: https://t.co/IJpO06PN4T pic.twitter.com/sTiaIFVr0m— Valley Park School () June 20, 2025

20/06/25

The Feast of Corpus Christi, meaning "Body of Christ," is a Catholic celebration honouring Christ's presence in the Eucharist. It features processions with the Blessed Sacrament, showing public faith and devotion, with special prayers and hymns. pic.twitter.com/ADjMgCm067— Valley Park School () June 19, 2025

19/06/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/5aeKoYoN0b— Valley Park School () June 19, 2025

19/06/25

Litha, the Summer Solstice, is a pagan holiday celebrating the sun and fire on the year's longest day. Stonehenge and similar sites are aligned to showcase the sunrise on this day, attracting thousands of pagans. After the solstice, days shorten. pic.twitter.com/IcAooq55kk— Valley Park School () June 19, 2025

19/06/25

Just returned from an incredible trip to the Marlowe Theatre with our Year 8s to see Pig Heart Boy — they were amazing! As their Head of Year I'm so proud of their impeccable behaviour and brilliant engagement. A real credit to our school pic.twitter.com/GaBFgfxSOB— Valley Park School () June 19, 2025

18/06/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/EbjFUZjlEb— Valley Park School () June 18, 2025

18/06/25

We're tremendously proud of Sapphire (Yr9) who played in the U14 ESFA Champions’ Cup Plate Final at Sixways Stadium. She scored a 20-yd screamer & took a penalty in the end of match shootout, which ended 2-2. Well done Sapphire!!! pic.twitter.com/47bUQfolJc— Valley Park School () June 18, 2025

18/06/25

Maidstone Literary Festival have just launched their annual young authors competition. All the information can be found here: https://t.co/2pBcgdiXq8 It’s open to all students in all key stages. Entries can come in via school or by individuals.#wearevalleyparkauthors pic.twitter.com/azKcKUvD2A— Valley Park School () June 18, 2025

17/06/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/AywhYtnlQy— Valley Park School () June 17, 2025

16/06/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/dFD7UzcIoE— Valley Park School () June 16, 2025

16/06/25

House Points update... pic.twitter.com/6WgDZs1VSc— Valley Park School () June 16, 2025

15/06/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/9DKVRMlcSp— Valley Park School () June 15, 2025

Graphic Communication

Graphic Communication conveys information and ideas through the organisation of images and words. You will explore and understand user and audience needs and how these groups respond to various forms of visual communication, as well as how changes to working practices lead to new forms of communication and presentation. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • GCSE Graphics: Grade 5
  • BTEC First Diploma: Merit
  • Portfolio

RECOMMENDED SUBJECT COMBINATIONS

Art, Craft & Design

History

Photography

Performing Arts

WHAT TO EXPECT

A-level Graphic Communication is an exciting and rewarding experience. Students will develop proficiency in various graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Practical skills will be developed by learning traditional techniques such as sketching, Typography and layout design. Design principles will be covered where you will understand fundamental concepts such as colour theory composition and visual hierarchy.

UNITS STUDIED

  • Component 1: Personal Investigation
  • Component 2: Externally Set Task

Specification

HOW IT IS ASSESSED

  • Component 1: A Portfolio of work which equates to 60% of the final grade.
  • A supporting 1000–3000-word Contextual Essay.
  • Component 2: Externally set exam with a 15-hour Examination at the end of the course in the second year.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

  • Research and investigate
  • Analyse and evaluate work
  • Develop and experiment
  • Refine work as it develops

PROGRESSION

After completing A-level Graphic Communication, there are several exciting pathways you can pursue, whether in further education or directly in the workforce. Here are some of the most common options:

Further Education

  1. University Degrees:
    • Graphic Design: A focused study on visual communication and design principles.
    • Illustration: Specializing in drawing and visual storytelling.
    • Advertising and Marketing: Exploring the intersection of design and promotional strategies.
    • Animation or Motion Graphics: Learning about dynamic visual communication.
  2. Foundation Courses: Art and Design foundation programs can help you develop a strong portfolio and refine your skills before pursuing a degree.
  3. Specialized Training: Short courses in specific software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), branding, or web design can enhance your skill set.

Career Opportunities

  1. Graphic Designer: Working in various industries to create visual content for print, web, and social media.
  2. Illustrator: Producing artwork for books, magazines, and advertising.
  3. Brand Designer: Developing visual identities and branding strategies for companies.
  4. Web Designer: Designing and creating user-friendly websites and digital platforms.
  5. Advertising Specialist: Crafting visuals for marketing campaigns and advertisements.
  6. Motion Graphics Designer: Creating animated graphics for video, television, or online content.
  7. Print Production Specialist: Overseeing the production process for printed materials.

Skills Development

  1. Portfolio Building: Your A-level projects will help you create a diverse portfolio, which is crucial for applying to jobs or further education.
  2. Networking: Connecting with peers and industry professionals can open doors to internships and job opportunities.
  3. Freelancing: Many graphic communication graduates start freelancing, offering their services to clients while building experience.

Industry Experience

Internships and Work Placements: Gaining real-world experience through internships can provide valuable insights and enhance your employability.

Overall, A-level Graphic Communication offers a strong foundation for various paths, whether you choose to continue your education or dive directly into the creative industry. The skills you acquire will be valuable in a range of fields, making you adaptable in a dynamic job market.

WHY CHOOSE THIS SUBJECT?

This course will facilitate students to explore their creative approaches through a combination of handmade and digital courses. Students will expand their understanding of Photoshop through experiments and investigations in response to set briefs. This course will build a professional portfolio to support entry to higher level art courses and apprenticeships.