Striking gold... where partnerships can take you
In our first year of the change school programme, the Heath Park Business & Enterprise College decided to explore ways of building a relationship with the University of Wolverhampton School of Art and Design (SAD).
Aims
The overall aim of the project was to investigate the transition from school into higher education and to offer students, who may not have considered this route, an opportunity to experience University first hand.
Process
In researching possible ideas for the project, we came across Ceramic Artist Ros Ingram who had a wide experience of working in schools and had also studied and taught at SAD. Ros helped us to organise six tailored workshops for our sixth form students which were hosted at the University. The workshops focused on three specific areas: ceramics, glass and textiles which aimed to broaden students’ skills and enlighten them into the breadth of courses available at SAD.
It was wonderful to have Ros leading the project, but as an additional dimension, two placement students from SAD, Katy Barton from the department of Glass and Heather Ashworth from Textiles, were also brought in to work on the project. The school was very excited about this as it not only enabled the students and staff to work with a range of specialists, but also presented opportunities for a sharing of ideas.
About the project
The project ran over the spring and summer terms in 2009 when Ros facilitated ‘lead’ sessions at the University. Students then continued to work alongside Ros, Katy and Heather back at Heath Park to apply, develop and explore the skills & techniques that had been learnt. In the meantime Ros Ingram was approached by gardener Paul Titcombe to make a glass panel for his garden entry for Gardener’s World Live Event at the NEC.
Ros & Katy presented the idea to the staff and students who were excited by the chance to be involved in a high profile and prestigious live brief. The school approached the project in a collaborative, professional manner- and the results are stunning. Paul Titcombe’s garden won the Gold medal for small gardens - in part due to the panel, although the plants might have helped, too.!
The school truly seized this unexpected opportunity and now feel inspired to take their work out of school and into the public domain to celebrate and publicise what has been achieved in a short space of time. An exhibition of the school's work is being organised at SAD in February - so watch this space for more information!