Projects

We have tailored our projects to align with the creative industries, collaborating with experts to reflect real-world practices.

Design & Build

Product Design

Event & Production

Pathways

LEVEL 1 – Apprentice
Just starting out and learning the basic skills and tools.

LEVEL 2 – Journeyman
Gaining experience, exploring techniques, and building confidence.

LEVEL 3 – Artisan
Working independently with skill and creativity.

We have adapted our projects to three ability levels, inspired by the traditional pathways progression within historical guild structures.

We generally offer our Level 1–2 projects through our Schools Partnership and Tailored Programmes, while focusing on Level 2–3 projects in our After-School Programmes.

Traditionally, guilds spoke of progression toward becoming a ‘Master.’ In our structure, we aim to encourage young people to continuously explore and refine their craftsmanship, with the ultimate goal of pursuing pathways within the creative industries or becoming champions of the arts. For many, it will also be a way to express their creativity and enhance their personal wellbeing—becoming competent, confident makers along the way.

Pedagogy

Project-based learning (PBL)

We believe that the most effective learning occurs when knowledge is acquired within the context of an enquiry that feels authentic and meaningful.

Our programmes are project-based, and we draw on research and guidance from PBLWorks and their Gold Standards, which detail seven essential design elements.

We always begin a project by introducing the project brief and acknowledging its historical and contemporary context. This helps learners understand how their work connects to the real world. The seven design elements provide a well-defined framework, fostering high-quality learning experiences.

Design Thinking Process

Design thinking is a well-established, iterative process used by designers and educators such as the Stanford d.school. We have adapted its key stages to better suit the age group of the young people we work with, resulting in a five-stage process: Identify, Explore, Plan, Develop, and Present. This method has been extensively tested in schools and has proven to be a clear and effective approach for both planning and communication with young people.