Marling art student shows off creative vision

Art student Stan Schermuly is excited to be showing his work on the biggest canvas he has ever used. His Gothic vision, produced to reflect the creativity he believes young people can achieve, will appear on a full-sized commercial billboard on Cainscross Road, Stroud in the fourth week in September. It is part of a campaign to advertise Marling Sixth Form’s Open Evening on 8th November.

‘I was delighted to be offered the chance to take on this project,’ Stan said. ‘My original work was inspired by musical theatre and it tries to convey a sense of possibility combined with edginess. At a time when fewer students across the country are opting for Arts subjects, I think it is important to show how exciting they can be.’

Stan, who joined Marling Sixth Form from Thomas Keble School, is one of a thriving cohort of students at Marling who study a range of creative A Levels. While the school is known for its strengths in Science and Engineering, fewer people are aware of how well it does in other subjects. This year’s English Literature A Level results were particularly impressive, ranking Marling’s English Department in the top 1% nationally for value added, with another five departments, including History, Fine Art and Drama in the top 10%. The Art and Drama departments are based in a new, purpose-built Creative Arts block next to the school’s dedicated Music block. Marling is one of very few local sixth forms to offer both Music and Music Technology A levels.

Headteacher Dr Stuart Wilson, said, ‘I am very proud of the fact that our students excel in many areas. We are in the fortunate position of being able to offer outstanding teaching along with excellent facilities for all subjects, which allows us to maintain a very broad curriculum at A Level.’

From September 2019 Marling School will admit girls as well as boys directly into its sixth form. New students will join a very successful sixth form, this year ranked in the top 15% of A Level providers nationally for Value Added.

Steve Farr, Head of Sixth Form said, ‘This is an exciting time for Marling School and we are completely committed to creating a co-educational, supportive and aspirational sixth form. I would urge anyone interested in joining us to come along to our Sixth Form Open Evening on 8th November.’