Fine Arts College is an independent college in Hampstead, London, founded in 1978, with an average intake of 200 students aged 13 – 19.
The College offers over 25 A-level subjects in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and 15 subjects at GCSE. Students entering Year 9 follow an academic curriculum alongside creative subjects, art, music and drama. In 2023, the school achieved 45% A/A* in A-level and 41* 9-7 in GCSE.
Fine Arts runs a one year Portfolio course to prepare students for degree courses at university and art school.
The Principal is Candida Cave and the Head is Emmy Schwieters.
Contents
History
The College was founded in 1978 by artists Nicholas Cochrane and Candida Cave and was originally located in the YMCA on Tottenham Court Road and specialised in the teaching of Art and History of Art. In 1982, the College relocated to Belsize Park and expanded its curriculum to cover the 25 subjects it teaches today. In 1994, the GCSE department opened, followed by Year 9 entry in 2018.
In 2002 the College moved to Centre Studios, a converted Victorian dairy in Englands Lane, which remains its main site today.
In 2015 the College became part of the Dukes Education Group.
Buildings
The College operates across three separate sites within about 200 yards of one another, located between Belsize Park, Chalk Farm and Swiss Cottage tube stations. The main site, Centre Studios, houses the academic departments and the Fine Art, Graphics, Music, Music Technology, Media, Textiles, Film Studies, and Drama studios. The two other sites are the Photography studios and Maths and Science departments in Lambolle Place.
Notable former pupils
Theo Adams, artist and director
Alfie Allen, actor
Brooklyn Beckham, model and photographer, son of David Beckham and Victoria Beckham
Sara Berman & Aimee Berman, fashion designers
Orlando Bloom, actor
JJ Feild, actor
Mae Muller, singer
Kayvan Novak, actor and director
Mel Raido, actor
Coco Sumner, singer
Amelia Warner, actress
Liam Watson, music producer
Lila Moss, Model
Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark, model and member of the Greek Royal Family
Helena Bonham Carter, actress
Rafferty Law, actor and model
Johnny Borrell, guitarist and singer
Lady Elizabeth Iris Clara Paget, actress and model
Eliza Doolittle, Singer
Jane Green, Author
Jazzy de Lisser, actress and model