Kilgraston pupil gains “phenomenal” full marks in A Level Art
A KILGRASTON School pupil has entered the record books by getting 100% in ALL FOUR of her A level Art exams this year.
Rebecca Blakey’s achievement in scoring an unprecedented 400 out of 400 has been described as “phenomenal” by her teachers at the Bridge of Earn girls school.
Now Rebecca (17), from Fort Augustus in Inverness-shire – who also won first prize at the Perth Young Artist competition this year – is going on to Edinburgh University to study Theology.
Not to be outdone, fellow student Sophie Wade, from Lindores, achieved an outstanding 399 out of 400. She’s now going on to study Marketing at Newcastle University.
The two were closely followed by Emma Clark from Ayr who is going on to study Law at Aberdeen and by Mhairi Stewart from Perth who is going on to study Fashion Design at Galashiels College.
Sophie said: “I decided to do my A level in one year. It was a big thing to attempt in just twelve months but I’ve always enjoyed Art and I found working in the Art Department relaxing.”
Boats at St Andrews became the inspiration for one of her papers while for another she concentrated on portraiture.
Kilgraston’s Carol-Ann Lund, Deputy Head (Academic), said: “This is a phenomenal achievement by Rebecca and our other amazingly talented girls. Over the years the department has acquired an outstanding reputation, both in terms of academic results at Higher and A level and in local and national competitions. It has expanded to offer Fine Art, Textiles and Photography and these results are a fitting tribute to Aileen Neilson who retired this summer after twenty-four years as Head of Art.”
She added: “Alongside a team of colleagues Alison Mailer, Joanne Campbell and Georgina McMaster, Aileen has built an Art Department that is second to none. Many Kilgraston students have gone on to study Art – from Art History at St Andrews to Fine Art in Glasgow, Edinburgh Dundee and Aberdeen. Several students have taken up Art as a career – Finola Stack as a children’s book illustrator and Alyssa Bluett is just about to launch a career as a portrait painter.
“Aileen’s successor Gillian Macleod will undoubtedly maintain this great tradition of excellence at Kilgraston.”
Kilgraston Principal Frank Thompson commented: “Everyone who visits Kilgraston is struck by the quality of the art on display and many are surprised to find out just how much is the work of the girls. Art is a wonderfully energetic department which embraces both modern technology and traditional skills to produce works of great skill and imagination.”
Our two pictures show:
1 Rebecca with a self-portrait which won first prize in the Perth Young Artist competition;
2 Rebecca with Scottish Education Minister Mike Russell who visited Kilgraston earlier this year.
