Hi actioncat568, I’ve actually joined this forum just so I can reply to you. I am English and know the education system you are talking about. I have worked in a secondary school art department and an Art school. I too did ‘0’level art the older version of GCSCE, i started A level Ceramics and did 4 years at Art School so maybe i can help. Firstly are you planning a career in Art? Secondly studying art A level isn’t the only route. An equivalant route is a foundation art course at a Collage,completeing and passing that will give you a portfolio to get into a University or Art school to do a degree in art. But i don’t think that is what you asking here. Your creativity isn’t dependant on studying art formally. I found A level crushing and dropped out. A foundation gave me far more room to express myself. A level is quite academic and some find it quite rigid. Sometimes formal training and following a planned course ( basically being told what to paint/design etc can crush your creativity and isn’t right for every creative person.) I think for you having time to explore you creativity freely was what did it for you but YOU must decide if that is so. It has been the same for me although i still did all the qualifications and there were times when i wasn’t happy and felt immense pressure to fulfil set criteria. Carving a career as a professional artist is similar as it does mean doing what sells day in day out or else you go broke. This is when it becomes a job and less an enjoyable release. I would never discourage anyone from pursuing their creative dream but you do need to find how it works for YOU. There are loads of wonderful art workshops you can do in your spare time without all the theory and strict criteria of exams. I think the answer lies in you. How do you feel about YOUR creativity? Is it more important for you to get a qualification in or is it about being an enjoyable release in your busy life? I would talk to your school art teacher then have a think about what is important to YOU. Is there another subject you could do instead and keep your art for your spare time? You can still be an Artist without formal qualifications. Its about doing the art work. I know several great creatives who dropped out because they didn’t want to be told what to create and the spark started to die in them, so they had to leave or stifle their creativity. They are still talented and still create. Decide what works for you, listen to your heart. Hope this helps and you go on to create many wonderful things which ever route you follow.