A GIFTED art student, who switched schools during his A Level years to hone his artistic talents, has set his sights on a future in vehicle design and secured an unconditional place at university.

Isaac Webster, from Whickham, in Gateshead, initially chose to study A Level Maths and Physics alongside Design and Technology (DT) at his former college as a route into working in the automotive industry but quickly realised he’d made the wrong choices when he found himself sketching cars during lessons. 

The art facilities at Dame Allan’s Schools gave the teenager the confidence to make a life-changing switch in 2021, and he repeated Year 12, opting to take A Level Art and History while continuing with his DT studies at the Fenham-based independent school.

His decision paid off as today Isaac celebrated an A* in Art and a B in History to add to A* he achieved last year in DT. He has accepted a place to study Automotive and Transport Design at Coventry University – one of only three universities in England to offer the specialist course. 

He said: “Art and DT had always been my favourite subjects, but I made the mistake of believing I needed to study Maths and Physics and then take the mechanical engineering route to work in the car industry.

“It was a huge decision not only to change the subjects I was taking but to move schools half way through my A Levels, however, I’ve never looked back and I’m happy with the grades I’ve achieved today.

During his A Level art studies at Dame Allan’s co-educational Sixth Form, Isaac, 19, invested hours of his time sketching impressive vehicle designs.

Bel Whitehouse, Head of Careers at Dame Allan’s, helped Isaac choose a university course that complemented his passion. She said: “Every time I’d walk past Isaac in the Sixth Form centre, he’d always be sketching a new design; he was so focused and clearly very gifted.

“As such a keen car designer, we spoke a lot about his choices after school and together explored course options that fit with the specialist career path he wanted to take.”

Isaac, who as a child would build scale-model vehicles as a hobby, has long been passionate about the automotive industry. He said: “I’m fascinated by the different eras of car design and how rapidly technology is evolving. 

“As the industry looks ahead to a new era of electric, autonomous and connected vehicle production, the future of car design is really exciting, and I’d love to be part of the design processes that’ll help make emerging and revolutionary vehicle capabilities feasible and practical.”

Will Scott, Principal at Dame Allan’s School, said: “Just one look at Isaac’s body of artwork is enough to convince you not only of his natural talents but also that the decision he took to switch schools and repeat Year 12 in order to take A Level Art was undoubtedly the right one. 

“It was a life-changing decision for Isaac that steered him onto the right track for a future in vehicle design and we wish him the very best.”