THREE students from Warrington have received offers to study in one of Europe’s leading universities for the visual creative arts.
Ruby-Rose McGann, Sophie Booth and Mary Davidson – all studying Art Foundation at Priestley College – were in demand after attending interviews at the Glasgow School of Arts.
Ruby-Rose and Sophie have both accepted their offers to study at the university, which counts Turner Prize winners, Masters of Fine Art and an Oscar-winning director among its alumni.
Sophie, a former pupil at University Academy, Warrington, said: “Sometimes you can go to a place that you’ve heard is prestigious and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, but Glasgow was everything we had hoped.”
Ruby-Rose, who had studied Textiles, English, Media Studies and Art A-Levels at Priestley, was similarly impressed and looking forward to further developing her talents and techniques in textiles.
“I think what I have learned at Priestley will really help at Glasgow because I have been able to develop my style and confidence so much,” said the former Cardinal Newman pupil.
“I enjoy the fact we’re not told what to do and are allowed to develop our own personal style.”
Glasgow School of Arts was founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design with a role in promoting good design for the manufacturing industries.
Today it says its purpose remains the same – to contribute to a better world through creative education and research.
Priestley’s students had to send photographs of their work and provide a statement about why they wanted to study at Glasgow.
They also had a 20-minute interview in which to make an impressive first impression.
“This is like getting into Oxbridge for our art students and it is so hard to secure a place because the competition is extremely tough,” said tutor Steve Lane.
“They have been really committed to their course at Priestley so thoroughly deserve these offers.”
Mary, also a former Cardinal Newman pupil, has decided to study at the University of the Arts London, which is considered the world’s sixth best university for Art and Design. She had taken A-Levels in Biology, English Literature alongside 3D Design and Art at Priestley before starting on the Foundation course.
“It was a difficult decision to make because I wasn’t confident of getting offers from either,” said Mary.
“In the end I had to choose the university that was right for me.”
Ruby-Rose McGann
Sophie Booth
