An injection of inspiration.

A one-day event for DT students that offers a creative and engaging insight into designing and making furniture. The workshop highlights possible routes into further education and the benefits of studying a creative discipline.

Why do we need Creative Clinics?

• There is an increasing skills gap within the UK furnishings industry
• The industry remains largely male-dominated
• Mainstream education has limited opportunities for practical and creative learning
• This will help build links between education and industry
• It will offer an example of a career pathway and routes into further education
• It is an opportunity to signpost students to other organisations/resources

Didcot Girls School, March 2019

14 students from year 10 were taken off timetable to take part in the first Creative Clinic. The event was a collaboration between furniture company, ercol and This Girl Makes. The day starts with a short introduction and short creative task. The students are then split into small groups and asked to design and make a unique piece of furniture from waste components donated by ercol.

The class were then invited to a tour of the ercol factory in Princes Risborough. The winners of the design and make competition were awarded trophies by ercol chairman, Edward Tadros.

The feedback for this event was really positive, with 100% of the group stating that they had learnt something new:

• Different joints and how to reinforce them, how to make a wedge tenon
• How to change a drill bit, how to use a Japanese saw
• How to use different tools, new techniques
• How to make furniture, how difficult it is
• How to be creative, what are the elements of a good design

A large proportion of the students stated that they were somewhat to very likely to explore a future in: design, furniture, woodwork or manufacturing.