5868 Educators providing Courses

North Oxfordshire Academy

north oxfordshire academy

Banbury

On behalf of our students, staff and governors, I am delighted to welcome you to North Oxfordshire Academy. We are a successful, oversubscribed 11-18 academy located in Banbury, Oxfordshire. North Oxfordshire Academy is an inclusive, friendly and diverse community with an ethos of high aspirations, high expectations and high achievement. We are proud to be part of United Learning, a group of secondary, primary and independent schools, whose motto is: ‘The best in everyone’ - a philosophy to which we wholeheartedly subscribe. Through a culture of nurture, support and mutual respect, we seek to challenge our students by encouraging them to take risks; to explore new ideas and to acknowledge that making mistakes is essential for learning. We focus on helping our students to become resilient learners and to develop the character and skills that prepare them for the future. During their time at North Oxfordshire Academy, our students learn to become confident, articulate, independent and resourceful young people; they develop the skills and qualities to enjoy successful and rewarding personal and working lives in an everchanging local, national and global landscape. Our students experience a broad and balanced curriculum focusing on academic excellence and education with character. In addition, they participate in an exciting range of extracurricular and sporting activities which enables them to explore and develop their talents and wider interests. We expect our students to work hard; to be kind and respectful to others and to strive to be the best version of themselves. Whether you are a potential student, parent or future employee, we hope our website provides you with useful information about North Oxfordshire Academy. If you would like to know more, or would like to visit us to see our school in action during the school day, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Sarah Louise Dix Upholstery

sarah louise dix upholstery

Surrey

Sarah Louise Dix Upholstery was formed in 2005 by Sarah Dix. The business comprises of the Couture Label, the Pink Label, SLD Upholstery Services and upholstery courses & workshops. The Couture Label evolved from fusion ideas and specialises in the design and upholstery of quality vintage furniture inspired by the construction and form of clothing. The label’s designs are part artwork part furniture creating highly individual finished pieces. Some designs physically incorporate a vintage garment creating a surreal air while others have structural elements such as corsetry, the Corset Chair, or tailoring. Sarah’s furniture was shown at the London menswear show Stitch in February 2010 on the Blaqua menswear stand and were stocked at their shops in Newburg Street W1 and Kings Road SW3. In November 2013 Sarah bought an antique chaise longue from Katherine Higgins on BBC Put your Money Where your Mouth Is and reupholstered it in red velvet and faux fur with a corset back. Then in February 2014 She sold the Corset Chaise to Jeff Salmon on the Channel 4 TV programme Four Rooms for £1200. 2010 saw the launch of the Pink Label. The Pink Label is the diffusion range and produces the Corset Chair at a more affordable price. The original Corset Chair design has been simplified, the frames are new exact copies of the original Victorian shape and are upholstered using modern materials. Sarah also sold the chairs at Follet in Petworth, Sussex in 2012. The Upholstery Courses were introduced in January 2012 and run for ten weeks. The first teaching venue was at The National Trust property the Barge Building Shed. Dapdune Wharf. Guildford. Sarah had a residency there and courses run throughout the year in stunning surroundings, on the banks of the River Wey. She also launched courses in the studio space at The Art Works in East Horsley. This was a unique space selling contemporary arts and crafts. Other course locations were in Farnham, Grayshott and Cranleigh Arts Centre. Once Sarah was able to take on her own space in Godalming, the courses ran inhouse from then on. The spaces include Studio 22 and Bargate House and the current property in Farncombe. The courses are very popular and often over subscribed. Sarah also runs Beginners Footstool day workshops once a month on a Saturday. The workshops give a great introduction to upholstery and helpful when considering undertaking a ten week course. SLD Upholstery Services offers a full reupholstery service for clients. This service has been running alongside the design side and courses from the beginning. The workroom now has four professional upholsterers working on various pieces of furniture for customers. This can range from a cushion cover to a three piece suit. The company has undertaken work from a variety of people such as titled Ladies, artists to royalty, Pop Stars (a pink latex bed for Nicki Minaj’s world tour 2018), partners in top London banks and Mrs Judge from around the corner. She gets to visit the most amazing houses including one once owned by Chris Evans and Mary Wondrausch's unique home crammed with her pottery. Sarah continues to expand the shop and fabric accounts with fabrics available from fabric houses such as Designers Guild, Romo, Osbourne & Little, Christian Lacroix.

Roundwood Park School

roundwood park school

Hertfordshire

With Grammar schools in nearby St Albans, that meant that it was in reality a secondary modern school although as its pupils reached school leaving age (15 in those days) it soon became apparent that many wanted to stay on into the fifth year and take ‘O’ levels so that facility was provided. The school opened with three teaching blocks – still recognizable as ‘B’ block, ‘C’ block and the hall, gym etc. where the staff room and offices were. There were three forms, one in each of the second, third and fourth years and three first year forms, making a total of 179 pupils. There were ten teachers including the first head teacher – Mr Arthur Foxwell. The school was organised into four houses – Braille, Campbell, Grenfell and Nightingale – thus providing a competitive element for the popular Sports Day and, from 1961 when the town’s pool was opened, the Swimming Gala. After three years, the school had reached its planned maximum size but often exceeded that over subsequent years due to its increasing popularity with local residents as well as those in Wheathampstead and Redbourn. Now we receive many pupils from the other villages – Markyate, Flamstead and Kimpton. This is partly due to the closure of smaller secondary schools in Redbourn and Wheathampstead so that the ‘economies of scale’ can be taken advantage of, full comprehensive provision within Hertfordshire and also due to parental preference. Mr Foxwell retired in 1976 after 20 years as Headteacher and Mr Turnbull took over for 2 years, being followed by Mr Haydon Luke who stayed for 17 years. Andy Cunningham stayed for 6 years and was replaced by Mr Nick Daymond who also stayed for 6 years until he was succeeded by the current Headteacher, Mr Alan Henshall. At various times in between, the Deputy Heads have held the fort – Mr Lucas, Mr Surtees and Ms Linda Graham – all contributing to the continuity and stability that have been part of the Roundwood ethos. Roundwood21There have been many changes over the past 60 years resulting in upheaval and disruption – increasingly frequent times when the site appeared more like a building site as a new Sixth Form/Modern Foreign Languages block was constructed, soon to be followed by a new Maths/Music building and a Sports Centre. The school is also now an Academy. The changes have not affected the ethos of the school and Roundwood Park remains the same, continuing to educate local children in a caring and supportive way that encourages them to develop their best talents through a broad and balanced curriculum. This article is adapted from the original produced for the 50th celebrations by Ruth Martin & Christine Hood. UPDATE On 13 September 2018 Roundwood Park was proud to officially open a state of the art 3G artificial pitch on the school site. A joint venture with Harpenden Colts FC, and with a £500,000 grant from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund, it allowed us to replace the existing grass pitch, which was unsuitable for football during the winter months. The new pitch is used by all students and players from the school as well as Harpenden Colts FC, who operate around 60 teams across eight different training venues. Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust also use the pitch to deliver sessions for female and disabled football, as well as its use for regular summer holiday camps and coach education workshops.

The Fox Studios

the fox studios

I set up The Fox Studios so that I had a bricks and mortar place in Warrington, where I could teach my passion, Jewellery. I had been planning this for some time (around 3 years), before I went ahead and took the plunge. I chose Warrington for a few reasons, it's my home town, it's quite central (directly between Liverpool and Manchester) and because, well, where else would I set up Jewellery Classes? I have been creative for as long as I can remember. When I left school I couldn't decide whether I wanted to do Fashion or Fine Art. I chose Fashion. I'm not quite sure why. It was an experience, and I enjoyed the journey, but I'm not sure I'm very fashionable. I have continued to sketch and paint, and have done so for many years. Due to a big life change in 2000, I started an evening class in Jewellery and Silversmithing and I can quite safely say I was hooked. I eventually went back to University as a mature student and finished my degree in 2008. A few short months later I was back teaching on the evening class where I'd first picked up the bug and it turned out I loved teaching. I've been a jeweller for around 20 years now. I never expected to become a teacher, but it's something I really enjoy it (and I hope it's something I'm good at, students do keep returning). I try to tailor the learning experience to the individual student, so that you can get the most out of the course. The Fox Studios is a friendly workshop where you can come and spend a couple of hours and make something beautiful, no matter what skill level you are. You will find it a lovely relaxing environment where you're supported and encouraged to make your ideas a reality, or if you're not sure what they are, I can help you make a sparkly thing or two to get you started. You will learn at your own pace, no pressure. The workshop is fully equipped for a range of different jewellery techniques, from simple ring making, stone setting, to enamelling and even colouring your own anodised aluminium. What I'm trying to say is that I have a variety of skills and a whole load of interesting equipment which you can use to make pieces of jewellery that are unique to you. I have a range of different Jewellery Classes, from taster sessions, one day classes and term time sessions as well as one to one sessions. They are all for a range of abilities, from beginners, intermediate and some more advance techniques. I am based in The Old School in Warrington, which is full of amazing creative people, as well as a quirky cafe that sells fabulous food. In the workshop you'll always find refreshments are on tap, tea, coffee (both normal and decaf), and if I'm organised, biscuits as well, but there is always Mini Rolls. I had grand plans of having beautiful cakes, but I've realised I'm just not that organised (and haven't baked in years). I hope I've covered everything, but if you do have any questions please get in touch and I'll get back to you as soon as I can! Heather x

Soulful Vision

soulful vision

SOULFUL VISION was born out of Steve Radley’s journey of healing as a military veteran of Iraq & Afghanistan and is informed by his training as a Priest and a Photographer. Is Mindfulness any good? We read a lot about the benefits of MINDFULNESS but chatting to people I discovered lots of us find it strange and not ‘my sort of thing’. It can feel quite inaccessible with all its talk of focusing on our breathing, letting go of our thinking and centring in the moment. I first came across MINDFULNESS whilst studying psychiatry at King’s College London and there can be no disputing the research – it’s good for us and is an ancient practice modern society has rediscovered. But I know what my people mean – it can feel hard to do because – well let’s face it – we have lots of things competing for our attention and spending time sitting cross legged meditating is not something we have the time or desire to do. Making Mindfulness accessible Through my photography training I realised this art form is an easy way into mindfulness. And this creates a wonderful possibility – we’re all taking pictures on our phones, so rather than teaching something completely new, we can simply adapt something we already do to access the benefits of mindfulness. SOULFUL VISION retreats and workshops take your photography (whether with a smartphone or camera) and help you discover how this can become a mindful activity, helping you find moments of calm within the demands of modern life. Wellbeing with a difference There are many excellent wellbeing courses and providers but many of the techniques taught are premised on self-care (eg. time management, boundary setting, kind non-judgemental thinking, etc). This is important but I believe it can only form part of the answer. There is a danger when the focus is purely self-care, that we can feel we have failed if we struggle in our life and work – we can feel we are not resilient. We will only thrive and find resilience if the environments we live and work support our resilience. Our relationships are of equal importance and we each need to support one another. For me the process of taking a picture can be both an activity of self-care and care for one another. This creates environments and cultures in which we can find resilience together, finding peace and enabling us to thrive in life. One writer on wellbeing called this a ‘virtuous circle of kindness’. Join us on a workshop or retreat. Learn a mindful approach to photography which is an act of self-care and how to share your images to learn about yourself and one another. By facilitating conversations with one another through your pictures I hope to create shared vision and understanding. This can help strengthen not only our own, but one another’s resilience and mental health as we develop a shared vision and learn about the different ways we each see life. My workshops are premised on the 5 Steps to Wellbeing, which is an approach endorsed by the NHS and described below We do not focus primarily on the technical aspects of photography. Steve will help if you get stuck! All you require is a camera you can use and an open mind to try.