Chippendale School Prospectus 2014-2015

The
Chippendale
International School of
Furniture
PROSPECTUS
Front cover: Alasdair Easton’s fumed oak chair which
won the Scottish Furniture Makers’ Association Best
Student Design Award 2010.
We aim to give students an enjoyable
learning experience to take with them
for the rest of their lives.
Chippendale International School of Furniture, Gifford,
Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4JA, Scotland, UK
T: (44) (0) 1620 810680 F: (44) (0) 1620 810701
E: [email protected]
www.chippendaleschool.com
The
Chippendale
International School of
Furniture
PROSPECTUS
Furniture Design, Making and Restoration Course
Developing creative careers in wood.
"If you have a passion for wood, you
need to do this course." Rory Dyer
“I had a great time at Chippendale, and learned lots.
I can recommend it to anyone wanting to pursue a
career in furniture making and design.”
Tjerand Gjerde (Norway) who made a round, extendable, ‘Jupe
table’, one of Anselm Fraser’s favourite student pieces.
(Photo on right).
A UNIQUE SCHOOL
An inspiring location
T
he Chippendale International School of
Furniture aims to develop craftsmen
and women with expertise and
professionalism, who have a thorough
practical knowledge, balanced with a sound
theoretical and technical awareness.
The course is devoted to ensuring that
students have the skills and knowledge to
establish their own business or to secure
positions in professional workshops, the
arts or museums.
The Chippendale International School of
Furniture is set deep amongst beautiful
rolling hills, outside the picturesque village
of Gifford, only half an hour from the
historic, cultural city of Edinburgh.
“You can't beat what you learn in 30
weeks here, nor pass up the experience
of living in Scotland.” US student
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“The essential first step in allowing me to fulfil a lifetime
dream of setting up my own business around something
I’m so passionate about.” Simon Calder
A CREATIVE PHILOSOPHY
A practical approach
M
ost emphasis is placed on the practical
application of furniture making and woodworking
techniques and each student experiences up to 1400
hours of practical bench time. The detailed study of
original pieces by Chippendale himself, as well as
Sheraton and Hepplewhite, is central to our approach.
The Furniture School is dedicated to teaching the
highest standards of craftsmanship, balanced by a
realistic appreciation of commercial opportunities.
The principal, Anselm Fraser, runs an award winning
furniture making and restoration business, alongside
the School. Students benefit from working with
professional craftsmen, and learn the commercial
skills and expertise required to succeed in the world
of furniture and to set up their own business.
Intake is restricted to only 20 students per year to
ensure individual attention. Formal teaching is by
lectures, complemented by a programme of visits to
public galleries, private houses and other
professional workshops. Specialist tutors teach
specific subject areas, such as furniture restoration,
wood carving, upholstery, gilding and stained glass.
The nine month, 30 week course runs within a
supportive community that nurtures talent and
celebrates creativity. Students profit from the
imaginative teaching and the practical experience
which dominates the course.
Seonaid Denholm
Seonaid trained at the Chippendale School of Furniture having
finished a degree at the University of Manchester studying Economic
and Social History.
"The year at the school was great! You cover so much in the 30
weeks. The course is intense!”
Whilst training at the school she built a grandfather clock in olive ash
and a kidney shaped writing desk in walnut and burr walnut veneer.
Seonaid is currently running Yellowhammer Furniture and
Restoration in the Incubation Centre where she has been working on
a line of Yellowhammer coopered designs and various other
interesting commissions such as a hollow tree root coffee table and a
corner cabinet with carved vines:
“It’s a fantastic place to be, especially in the early stages of starting
your own business as a furniture maker.”
See www.yellowhammerfurniture.co.uk
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THE FURNITURE SCHOOL
A vibrant community
T
he Chippendale International School of
Furniture was established in 1985 and is
dedicated to teaching the enduring skills involved in
designing and making bespoke furniture and the
craftsmanship of antique restoration.
The course is full-time and leads to the School's
Certificate. Students also have the opportunity to sit
2 Higher National Unit qualifications. Students
receive a thorough grounding in theory and practice
as well as the business of furniture making. Work is
monitored through a process of continuous
assessment. (More information on the website).
The School has a truly international appeal. Our
students come from all over the world as well as the
UK, from continental Europe, the US, Canada, the
Far East and Russia, bringing with them different
experiences, lifestyles and outlooks.
professional speed expected in the commercial
world, nor provide the buzz of 20 people learning
from each other, sharing ideas and solving problems.
The highly regarded reputation of the Chippendale
International School of Furniture also comes from
the visits to private houses and museums, where
students can see what they are learning embodied in
beautiful pieces of furniture. Their visits to other
professional workshops give valuable business
insights.
School Facilities
Students study in the spacious 6,500 sq ft (600 sq m)
workshops at well spaced-out benches. Each student
has a large area in which to work, with excellent
natural light. The separate machine, wood turning,
The Furniture School is an independent non-profit
making organisation which ensures that any surplus
revenue is reinvested to further improve the course
and the facilities.
“Really nice to have a free reign on
design and just told to get on with it,
with lots of help on how to achieve it.
Good feeling of freedom in workshop.”
A book can teach you the basics. However, it cannot
show you the amount of pressure to apply with a
chisel, how to obtain a perfect colour match, the
“A very rewarding, unique and valuable
experience.” Leanne Glas-Thompson
Anselm Fraser, School Principal
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gluing-up, sanding and finishing rooms are equipped
to a high standard. Further rooms over 2,500 sq ft
(230 sq m) are available for exhibitions and student
functions.
There is also a comfortable lecture room with audio
visual facilities and an extensive library containing
reference books and DVDs.
Workshop Hours
The workshop is open from 8.00am to 8.00pm
Monday-Friday (supervised between 9.00am and
4.30pm) and from 9.00am to 12.30pm on Saturday.
Students are encouraged to use the workshop outside
supervised hours.
Extra-Curricular Activities
There are over 20 golf courses within half an hour of
the School and 3 within ten minutes. Also available
are good swimming pools at nearby towns, together
with facilities for tennis, bowls, football, rugby,
hockey and sailing.
The Furniture School is close to the long sandy
beaches of the Firth of Forth and the rolling
Lammermuir Hills. A drive of one and a half hours
brings you into the Scottish Highlands with its
stunning hill walking, climbing and even skiing.
Edinburgh, the ‘Festival City’, with its enticing bars,
restaurants and culture, is just over half an hour
away.
“I learnt a huge amount and I had a
great time.” Jack Leith (photo on right).
Rupert Phelps
After years of working in front of a laptop, Rupert decided
he needed a more physical, creative and self-motivated
lifestyle. He packed in his sedentary job for a career as a
furniture designer and maker.
Now based in south west London, Rupert designs and makes
beautiful, hand-crafted, contemporary furniture, producing
bespoke pieces for commissions and exhibitions.
See www.unclefurniture.com
“On the first day, it was straight into chiselling, sawing,
planing and designing our first term project. No messing,
just get stuck in.
“The highlight in the first term was completing my first ever
piece of furniture, a lounge sideboard called 'The
Hungarian', where a hardwood plank has been curved 360
degrees to give continuous unbroken lines of wood grain.
My second furniture project was 'The Diplomat' desk made
from rosewood veneer and sycamore.
“Other highlights have been morning lectures from Anselm,
and lunch around the nice warm stove with friendly banter
and laughter. The local Goblin Ha' pub is a popular venue
and you get to know the locals very quickly indeed.”
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“Hard work but fun. I had an amazing
time there. Everything was brilliant.”
community in nearby Gifford (which has two pubs)
and in the historic town of Haddington.
Student Support & Accommodation
At the time of writing all students have access to
free general medical care from the National
Health Service.
The School is small and fosters a good sense of
community spirit. All course-related matters are
dealt with by the team of tutors, who work closely
with each student to bring his or her skills up to a
professional standard. Individual tutorials to discuss
course work are available by appointment.
Help with practical arrangements, such as planning
your accommodation and extra-curricular activities,
is given by the School's Student Welfare Officer. The
School is well respected within the surrounding area
and great effort is made by local people to assimilate
students into local life.
Students can stay with local families, or in rented
cottages or flats. There is an active village
Professional Career Development
The Chippendale International School of Furniture
aims to give students the skills and confidence to
succeed in their chosen careers, whether specialising
in period restoration, or designing and making
contemporary furniture. The course ensures that they
can demonstrate the commercial acumen necessary
to turn an amateur interest into a satisfying
professional career.
Many of our past students have decided to start their
own business. Others have gone on to work in
well-respected workshops and institutions.
Resident Teaching Staff
“The best part of the course was the
amount of time we were given at our
benches, and the availability of the
tutors.”
Anselm Fraser, the founder and Principal of the
Chippendale International School of Furniture, has
now run a successful furniture business since 1983.
He trained in Sussex with Michael Hay-Will and is
highly regarded in the furniture world.
A natural communicator, Anselm's hands-on,
enthusiastic and entertaining approach to teaching
has led to many successes with his students. He has
trained more than 300 students since 1985, and
many have gone on to open furniture and cabinet
making businesses around the world.
Norman Mackay
Norman had been living the dream for a decade, working
all over the world as a professional musician.
“I always wanted to learn furniture making,” he said. “It
wouldn't have been possible for me to take a couple of
years out from the music so the intensive nine month course
was perfect for me.
“The Chippendale School of Furniture is as far removed
from a mainstream college course as you can possibly
imagine. You never know what to expect at Anselm's
morning lectures, but they're always entertaining and very
informative.
“The course is intense and there are always several
projects on the go at any given time. There wasn't one
morning that I couldn't wait to jump out of bed and head
for the workshop!”
Norman now runs 'Woodeye Furniture' and fits
commissions around his band schedule.
See www.woodeyefurniture.co.uk
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Alan McGovern (top photo on right) has been with
the business since 1985 and is an accomplished
teacher and demonstrator. He specialises in finishing
and polishing. Years of experience combined with
further training at The Midland International
School of Polishing have made Alan well
recognised in this field.
Graham Davies has been with the School since
1990, and is a time-served furniture restorer and
maker. Graham specialises in veneer repairs,
especially Dutch marquetry, and gilding. He is also
an expert in colour matching, having trained at the
workshops of Jean Burhouse Furniture.
Clare Charleston is a fully trained furniture
restorer; she has an SQA in Hand Crafted Furniture,
Joints and Assembly Furniture. She combines work
in the Commercial Workshop with her role as
Welfare Officer.
Sandy Burns is a Chippendale graduate, adept at
helping students get the most out of the course.
Sandy is a talented carver and makes fabulous
tables, kitchens and bespoke furniture.
Alan McGovern, Tutor.
“To me, Sandy and Graham’s help was
the most important part. They were
always willing to help, no matter how
busy they were, and had amazing
problem-solving skills.”
Sandy Burns, Tutor.
Anaïs Dancet
Anaïs (25) is from Belgium. After an interior architecture degree she wanted
to make her designs herself and move from designing to production.
“The course covered everything that I wanted to learn. It’s really intense. You
have to be committed; I mentally prepared for boot camp woodwork.”
Anaïs made a beautiful architect’s cabinet and a hand carved chair while on
the course. She has now set up her own business www.anaisdancet.com in the
Chippendale Incubation Centre since graduating, and is keen to work on her
designs and deliver commissioned work.
Photo © Good Woodworking, David Roberts
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The Chippendale
Influence
THOMAS CHIPPENDALE is justly described
as the world’s most famous cabinet maker and
craftsman. The course will include many references
to the great man and what led to his success in
influencing generations of fine furniture makers all
over the world.
S
tudents will visit Paxton House where there will
be opportunities to study original Chippendale
pieces to assess their design and construction. They
will also have a chance to inspect a First Edition of
Chippendale’s famous Gentleman & Cabinet Makers
Director printed in 1754, the first fine
furniture catalogue ever produced in the UK.
As one of the leading furniture schools, we are
committed to ensuring that students understand the
historical and aesthetic aspects of furniture
craftsmanship and encourage them to put what they
know into a modern day context, as Chippendale did
in the 18th Century.
Examples of Chippendale furniture at Paxton House (table and chairs above).
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Emily Greenberg
Emily is originally from California, but after graduating from the Chippendale
International School of Furniture, she decided to stay in Scotland and has now
graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art.
“My dream is to start my own design company, designing children’s furniture.
“I decided to study at Chippendale because I was looking for a well-rounded,
serious education in furniture design and making, and that is exactly what I
got at Chippendale.
“My education at Chippendale gave me sophisticated pieces of furniture I
could proudly display in my portfolio to ensure my acceptance at Edinburgh
College of Art.
“Studying woodworking in the Scottish countryside was an incredible
experience.”
His and Hers elm wardrobes by Norman Mackay, Woodeye Furniture.
Photo © Alix McIntosh.
David Lonsdale
David previously worked in sheet metal fabrication for an aerospace
company, then set up Lonsdale Home Improvements.
“Highlights were being able to experiment with my own designs and
ideas. It was interesting having a mix of nationalities and cultures at
the School, and seeing how it influenced our designs.
“My first term ‘solid wood’ piece was an olive ash writing bureau
with a concealed chair and some secret compartments. My second
term ‘veneer’ piece was an i-pod shelving unit, a modern piece with
a funky vibe yet still functional.
“Since finishing the course I have moved to New Zealand with my
wife and children. My aim is to build up a business with a solid
reputation for unique, functional and beautiful furniture, kitchens
and gifts.”
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Course Fees & Dates
The fees and precise dates for the next 9 month
course are provided on the separate insert, in
the Detailed Syllabus and on our website.
Term 1 (Autumn): 10 weeks
Mid October—Mid December
Term 2 (Spring): 10 weeks
Mid January—Mid March
Term 3 (Summer): 10 weeks
Mid April—Mid June
THE Course
How to Apply
Term 1 (Autumn Term)
To apply for the Chippendale Furniture Course,
please fill in the Application Form on the
separate insert, or at the back of the Detailed
Syllabus. Completed forms should be sent to the
School as early as possible, as applications are
considered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
The maximum number of successful applicants is
limited to 20.
❚ Timber Identification
❚ Hand Tools Identification, Maintenance, Care &
Handling
❚ Machine Tools, Identification & Handling
❚ Setting Out, Sawing & Marking
❚ Timber Technology
❚ Bench appliances including Oilstone Box,
Bench Hook, Dovetail template, Mitre Box,
Shooting & Stringing Boards and Scratch Stock
❚ Joints - Rubbed, Dowel, Tongue & Groove,
Mortice & Tenon, Dovetail, Rule
❚ Simple Upholstery
❚ Basic Woodturning & Carving
❚ Curves in Wood, Correcting warps
❚ Chair Blocks
❚ Mouldings & Chamfers
❚ Woodscrew Taps & Dies
❚ Cross-Grain Plugs
From our research into comparable furniture
courses, it appears that 3 years minimum is required
to cover the same range of subject matter that we
have deliberately condensed into only 36 weeks
(including Christmas and Easter holidays).
Unlike most other furniture schools, the course fees
include all tuition, use of hand and machine tools,
and materials used for prescribed course work. Also
included are all entrance fees to museums, houses
and private collections.
About the Course
By the end of the course, students are expected to
have produced two pieces of fine furniture for
exhibition and sale at the Graduation Exhibition.
The core elements of the syllabus are taught over 30
weeks divided into 3 terms. A detailed syllabus is
provided separately.
“…The length of course is just right; it
was one of the reasons I chose the
course.”
Students make a piece of contemporary or traditional
furniture to their own design out of solid wood,
incorporating as many of these skills as possible.
Term 2 (Spring Term)
❚
❚
❚
❚
❚
❚
❚
❚
❚
❚
❚
Veneering, Stringing, Banding
Knuckle Joints
Barley Twist
Steam-bent feather banding
Marquetry & Parquetry
Table Liners
Oyster Work
Brass, Ivory and Mother of Pearl Inlay
Boulle work
Fretwork
Finishing & Polishing - including planing,
scraping, sanding, distressing, staining,
bleaching, fading and graining
❚ Glass - including making stained glass panel
Students make a piece of traditional or contemporary
veneered furniture to their own design, incorporating
as many of these skills as possible.
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Term 3 (Summer Term)
Daily Structure
❚ Advanced wood carving
❚ Gilding
❚ Gesso Mouldings - including
restoration of gilded picture frames
❚ Wood Turning
❚ Metal Work - including lacquering, ageing,
cleaning, burnishing, polishing & distressing
❚ Windsor Chair Making in teams of 4 with
Tom Thackray
❚ Workshop Organisation
❚ Setting up in Business - including pricing &
estimating, customer relations & service,
financial management and motivation
8.00am Workshop opens
8.30am Arrival and regular tool sharpening
9.00am Tutor-led discussion about furniture being
made or restored in the workshop
9.15am Furniture History/Business/ Design Lecture
9.45am Workshop demonstration
10.00am Hands-on practice of earlier demonstration
interspersed with a break at approx. 11am
Students make a carved and gilded mirror to their
own design.
Each student will complete a minimum of three
restoration projects on the course.
In addition students will make an apprentice box
with removable panels featuring various different
woodworking techniques learnt on the course. This
box and a portfolio of professional photographs that
each student puts together throughout the year, will
serve as marketing tools for presenting to future
customers or employers.
12.45pm Lunch break
1.45pm Work on individual projects at the bench
4.30pm End of formal sessions (students can
continue to work after this time)
7.45pm Prepare for departure. Doors close at 8pm.
Tutors assist on an individual basis while students
are working at their benches, offering each student
the opportunity to ask detailed questions and for
advice on specific projects. Students are tutored
towards increasing self-confidence and
independence.
Two weeks during the course are set aside for
restoration work. Students are assisted in preparing
and executing their own work plan under
professional practice conditions.
"I got a real lift at the end of the course
from being able to present my work at
the Graduation and Exhibition."
“Learned more than I thought possible
in 30 weeks! Great job!”
Tara McIntosh
Tara has an HND in Fashion Design and a Degree in Textile Design:
“Without a doubt the best thing about the course is the fact that you
are completely immersed in it. It’s so busy and demanding.
“The course highlights for me were: carving and gilding, marquetry,
learning the practical things about wood (timber technology), and
when Anselm set his eyebrows on fire! The tutors on this course are
fantastic!
“After graduating I stayed on in the Chippendale Incubation Centre
and set up ‘Twiggd’ which combines all of my loves - fashion,
illustration, interior design and the joy of craftsmanship.
“I now work from my studio in Edinburgh creating a colourful and
illustrative jewellery range from beautiful solid woods.
“The staff at Chippendale continue to offer advice and support, and
are totally invaluable.”
See www.twiggd.co.uk
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T
he School has connections with a network of
specialists and related businesses who make
invaluable contributions to the course.
David Jones is one of Scotland’s leading furniture
historians. He takes time out from his busy teaching
schedule at St Andrews University to give lectures to
students on Contemporary Furniture Makers, and the
Life and Times of Thomas Chippendale.
Simon Macintyre joins us as a specialist tutor in
furniture restoration. He trained at the same school
as Anselm Fraser back in 1981-82 and has many
years’ experience of running his own furniture
restoration business in Sussex.
Alec Glass will demonstrate the skills of a
professional upholsterer in the first term. Alec has
been running a successful upholstery business for
Eilidh Keith leads the session on stained glass work
in Term 3. Eilidh is a professional stained glass artist
and expert. She trained at both the Glasgow and
Edinburgh Schools of Art, followed by a Masters in
Hot Glass and Sculpture at Ohio State University. In
1988, she set up the Glass Art Studio in Glasgow.
Professionally, she does stained glass commissions
for historic churches throughout Scotland and
lectures at the Glasgow School of Art.
Mark Medcalf has been a valuer in the auction
business for over 25 years, specialising in furniture.
He gives a fascinating talk on the workings of the
art market.
Maggie Stead is the director of the Workshop of
Tim Stead based in the Scottish Borders. Until his
death in 1999, Tim Stead was Scotland’s leading
contemporary furniture maker, celebrated for his
Guest Lecturers
& Visiting specialists
over 30 years. Alec learnt his skills from his father;
he works with modern furniture and on high-end
commissions for private collections.
Neil Richerby is the founder and director of
Lammermuir Pipe Organs, who design and build
organs, mostly in oak. Neil trained in
Northumberland, Germany and Canada before
returning to East Lothian in 1983. Since then, the
company has made over 50 unique organs.
Charlie Oldham leads the session on Wood
Carving. He became a Master Carver in 1988,
having trained in London workshops with the finest
pieces of 18th century gilt wood furniture. He
worked on the restorations of Hampton Court,
Spencer House and Windsor Castle. He runs his own
carving workshop in Somerset.
Tom Thackray presents a five day course in which
students take part in making a Windsor Chair. Tom is
a Windsor Chair Maker based in Yorkshire, England,
a specialist with over 40 years’ experience in the
tradition. Tom has taught many of the people who
today teach others.
Gareth Evans will lead the session on Gilding in
the third term. Having graduated from St Martins
College of Art in London, he went on to gain
experience in the workshops of the famous London
gilder, Ray Knight. Gareth has established a highly
successful, professional gilding practice in Devon
working for clients from around the globe.
Ralph Curry provides the School with its supply of
native timber. He gives a memorable demonstration of
his mobile saw mill. Originally trained in Merristwood Arboreal College, England, Ralph worked as a
tree surgeon for 20 years on estates and forests in Scotland.
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‘wildwood’ designs. His work is exhibited at the
Royal Museum of Scotland. Under Maggie’s
direction the workshop continues to develop original
designs and commissions.
Dr Ulrich Loening is the founder of Lothian Trees
and Timber, a sawmill which aims to provide quality
local hardwoods together with better woodland
management. Trained as a molecular biologist,
Ulrich spent many years in research and teaching.
He became the Director of the Centre for Human
Ecology at Edinburgh University where he organised
programs on sustainable forestry, farming and
economics.
Ben Dawson Furniture is a bespoke furniture
making company combining computer aided design
and computer aided manufacture with traditional
craftsmanship. Customers range from major blue
chip companies to private individuals – commissions
have included making desks for the Scottish
Parliament. The founder, Ben Dawson, worked as a
cabinet maker in Perth before completing an honours
degree and postgraduate diploma in Furniture
Design at Edinburgh College of Art.
Lecturers may change as circumstances dictate.
Sean McManus
“Having come from a traditional background of a 4 year apprenticeship,
where learning came through repetition, the learning environment at the
School is quite different. You are given your head, encouraged to try new
things, often resulting in learning through making mistakes.
“A great deal of discussion takes place between students and staff as well
as between students themselves, igniting the thought process from which
new ideas evolve into realisation (thanks for the tambour idea, Quentin!).
“This course is in my opinion geared towards those who intend
starting in business on completion, which is my intention. The basics of
costing a job, and lists of suppliers for all things required to start and run
a business is a godsend, without which much time would be spent
attending business start-up courses.”
study visits
T
he School is privileged to be able to offer a
series of unique visits to local antique and
contemporary furniture collections and examples of
restoration work, such as:
of Georgian furniture. Students have the rare
opportunity to view an original edition of
Chippendale’s Gentleman & Cabinet Maker’s
Director.
Paxton House
A Robert Adam mansion with a large collection of
Chippendale furniture with provenance from the
great man's actual workshops, plus an outstanding
collection of furniture by William Trotter, Scotland's
most important cabinetmaker.
Prestonhall House
A fine Georgian house with a magnificent collection
of furniture lovingly cared for by generations of the
same family who still live in the house today.
The Burrell Collection Museum
A Glasgow museum housing Scotland's premier
collection of Jacobean oak furniture. The curator
gives a special ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the
basement with many hundreds of pieces which are
not on public display including the conservation
workshops where techniques such as X-ray are used
to examine antiquities.
The Glasgow School of Art
This fascinating building, Charles Rennie
Mackintosh’s first acknowledged architectural
masterpiece designed in 1896, houses a large
collection of original Mackintosh furniture.
John Makepeace collection
Privately commissioned furniture by Britain’s
foremost contemporary furniture maker.
Visits may change as circumstances dictate.
Gosford House
A palatial house incorporating an impressive
Italianate marble hall and many outstanding pieces
The Burrell Collection Museum
The Glasgow School of Art
Photo © Culture & Sport Glasgow (Museums)
Photo © Eric Thorburn
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Ian Darroch
After 20 years of service in banking, Ian decided to pursue a career
in furniture making and woodwork.
“The Furniture School is in a spectacular location and the course
was great. I absolutely loved the furniture restoration and history of
furniture modules. Our group of students was very sociable so we
had a lot of fun.
“Early on I set up my own business, Louis James Furniture and
Woodwork and even squeezed in some commissions while on the
course which helped pay for the fees. After the course, I built a 100
square meter workshop by my house.
“Ultimately I’m delighted I took the plunge; I see a lot more of my
family, I’m working from home serving (in the main) my local
community and involved in a huge variety of work.”
See www.louisjamesfurniture.co.uk
chippendale STUDENTS
in their own words
Ali Easton
After a career in software development and project management at the
Royal Bank of Scotland, Ali swapped corporate life for furniture making
and graduated having won the Scottish Furniture Makers’ Association
Student Award 2010. (See chair on front cover).
“Being at the School was unforgettable – a really rich experience in a
beautiful location with people from lots of different countries and
backgrounds. It’s an intensive course and the students were very
dedicated.
“I particularly liked the sections of the course on solid wood, turning and
finishing. The course is really rigorous and great fun. I developed my own
design style, and refined some of my thoughts on wood, our environment
and sustainability.”
Ali’s second term projects included a large walnut drinks cabinet, a gilded
mirror and a table to go with his award-winning chair.
Based in the Chippendale Incubation Centre, Ali set up Organic
Geometry www.organicgeometry.co.uk to custom-design and hand-make
beautiful furniture and kitchens.
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Matthew Brebner
“After dropping out of a Town Planning degree at Newcastle
University I decided that a career in furniture making was for me.
“Prior to University I attended Strathalllan School in Perthshire
where I did A-level Art and Design and Technology. These two
subjects gave me a solid skills base in furniture design and simple
woodworking skills.
“Then I attended the Chippendale School. With the lectures from
Anselm and help from the many talented tutors, this School taught
me more skills than I ever thought I could master: from basic hand
tools to carving, turning, French polishing and many more.
“The greatest achievement the School gave me was the confidence to
set up my own business. I have slowly been building up the business
and working for myself for the last 3 years, which has been a dream.
“This School is simply amazing. Year after year a group of students
arrives with a whole range of backgounds and skill sets. 30 long,
challenging and exciting weeks later and the group has been turned
into a confident, inventive and skilled group of cabinet makers.”
See www.MSBfurniture.com
Suzanne Ryan
Suzanne studied Fine and Decorative Arts at home in Dublin, Ireland
and then went on to become a stuccodore doing decorative plasterwork.
“I have always had a love and appreciation of beautifully crafted things
from silverware to furniture and buildings. It was lovely to work in
grand buildings but the wood kept calling.
“The Chippendale International School of Furniture is like a Willy
Wonka chocolate factory for anyone with an interest in working in
wood! Any of the myriad of different techniques you would like to
learn are available to you. It is kinda like heaven. To have everything
here is great.”
Suzanne had wanted to try marquetry and inlay and was able to do
this on her walnut Pembroke table.
Suzanne is renting workshop space in the Chippendale Incubation
Centre and has set up ‘made by suzanne’ with an emphasis on
traditional furniture and restoration. See www.madebysuzanne.com
Garry Macfarlane
Garry was a Commercial Property Consultant working in
Glasgow, who decided that a new career in furniture making
was called for. He enrolled at Chippendale for the 2010/11
course and went on to win Student's Choice Student of the Year.
“Enrolling at Chippendale was the best thing I ever did. I
learnt so much so quickly and it is incredibly rewarding to be
doing something with my hands rather than sitting all day
behind a desk.”
Garry is now based in the Chippendale Incubation Centre
where he operates his new business Freckle Furniture
www.frecklefurniture.com He hand-makes beautiful furniture
and kitchens to his bespoke designs and serves customers
across the UK.
14
Guest lecturer, Tom Thackray (centre), who teaches Windsor Chair making.
“Best year of my life (educationally).
Without this course my design degree
from art college would have been
wasted.” Peter Hewitt
Josh Miller with his piece ‘Curved Corner’ which
won 2nd prize in The Morgan Furniture Award.
Josh created this piece as one of his projects on the
course and has since gone on to set up his own
furniture making business.
15
“I’d like to thank everyone involved
with the course - I’ve loved it.” Rory Dyer
How to find us
T
he School is situated some 20 miles east of Edinburgh and 3 miles
south of the historic market town of Haddington. There is easy
access to the main A1, Scotland’s motorway network and rail links to
Edinburgh. There is also a bus service (albeit infrequent) which passes
the School. Ample car parking is available within the School grounds.
The Chippendale International School of Furniture is situated on the
B6369, between Haddington and Gifford and is well signposted.
We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed to this prospectus,
including all those who have been involved with the design and provided
photographs. Every effort has been made to ensure the content in this prospectus
is accurate. Whilst great care has been taken and consents obtained from those
quoted and contributing, we take no responsibility for any inaccuracies or those
which may inadvertedly emerge over time.
Back cover: Elm Bed by Norman Mackay, Woodeye Furniture.
Photo © Alix McIntosh.
16
For more information, please visit our website and watch our videos.
Developing creative careers in wood.
The
Chippendale
International School of
Furniture
Gifford, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4JA, Scotland, UK
T: (44) (0) 1620 810680 F: (44) (0) 1620 810701
E: [email protected]
www.chippendaleschool.com
Registered in Scotland, company no. SC172877
The
Chippendale
International School of
Furniture
SYLLABUS
The 29th Furniture Design,
Making and Restoration Course
2014-15
Developing creative careers in wood.
Front cover: Alasdair Easton’s fumed oak chair which
won the Scottish Furniture Makers’ Association Best
Student Design Award 2010.
Our aim is to give students an
enjoyable learning experience to take
with them for the rest of their lives.
syllabus
T
he course at the Chippendale International
School of Furniture is focused on the design and
making of furniture. However, it is only through the
study of restoration that students are able to learn the
techniques and practicalities required in the making
of both contemporary and traditional style pieces.
The course examines the history of furniture, its
influences and applications and how these relate to
present day furniture design and making.
The unique course at the Chippendale International
School of Furniture reflects this balance between
learning from the old and applying it to the new.
In the interests of saving students time and money,
the syllabus for the 30-week professional course has
been carefully developed to cover information that is
normally taught over a 2-3 year period at other
woodworking schools.
COURSE DATES: 2014 - 15
TERM 1: 10 WEEKS
13 October - 19 December 2014
TERM 2: 10 WEEKS
12 January - 20 March 2015
TERM 3: 10 WEEKS
13 April – 19 June 2015
SCOTTISH
QUALIFICATIONS
AUTHORITY
Chippendale International School of Furniture, Gifford,
Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4JA, Scotland, UK
T: (44) (0) 1620 810680 F: (44) (0) 1620 810701
E: [email protected]
www.chippendaleschool.com
1
the course structure
1.1 TERM ONE:
“A full-on experience where you hit the ground
running. You get out what you put in...”
Objectives
This first section of the course is fundamental to a
sound understanding of the possibilities and
practicalities of working with wood. Students design
and make a traditional or contemporary piece of
furniture out of solid wood incorporating the
construction techniques taught in Term 1. All the
pieces made by students are their own to keep or sell.
1.2 TERM TWO:
Objectives
During the second term students will develop their
furniture making skills from initial design ideas to full
size technical drawings and scale model, from selection
and costing of materials to professionally presented
quotation, and through all stages of production.
Students design and make a piece of veneered furniture
in contemporary or traditional design.
Anaïs Dancet
Photo © Good Woodworking
Typical Visits
l Pishwanton Project
l Tim Stead’s Workshop
l Grounds of Colstoun House (tree identification)
l Gosford House
Guest Lecturers and Visiting Specialists
v Lecture by Mark Medcalf - auctioneer
v Session with Alec Glass - upholsterer
v Week with Simon Macintyre - restorer
v Lecture by David Jones - furniture historian
v Session with Roy Nowicki - making shaker box
Typical Visits
l Lammermuir Pipe Organs
l Colstoun House
l Ben Dawson Furniture
l Burrell Collection Museum
l Glasgow School of Art
l Ralph Curry - portable saw mill
Guest Lecturers and Visiting Specialists
v Lecture by East Lothian Council Economic
Development Officer
v Session with Eilidh Keith - stained glass worker
Gosford House
2
Anselm Fraser, School Principal
1.3 TERM THREE:
Objectives
The pieces of furniture made during the course are
offered for sale at the Student Exhibition, and, ‘if
sold’, can make a contribution towards the costs of
the course.
‘If sold’ highlights the importance of professional
marketing and pricing any pieces of furniture at
realistic levels. Making beautiful furniture does not
guarantee that it will sell!
The Chippendale International School of Furniture is
set up to show students how to run a business, how
to charge reasonable and realistic prices for their
work and how to make a living out of wood. We
believe that the School is unique in guiding students
through the entire business process: from quotation to
completion and delivery in a real commercial situation.
The School is fortunate in that the craftsmen
employed by Anselm Fraser Furniture work closely
with the Professional Course Group. All ongoing
commercial work is done in the same workshop as
the School offering the rare opportunity of being
able to overlook an entire business operation. No
trade secrets are withheld!
Advanced woodcarving, woodturning, gilding and
polishing are taught in the third term. Students make
a carved and gilded mirror to their own design.
In addition, throughout the course students make an
apprentice box with removable panels featuring
various different woodworking techniques learnt on
the course (see photo below).
This box, and a portfolio of photographs that
students put together throughout the year, will serve
as marketing tools to be presented to future
customers and employers.
Typical Visits
l Paxton House
l Makepeace Furniture
l Prestonhall House
Guest Lecturers and Visiting Specialists
v Week with Tom Thackray - Windsor Chair maker
v Week with Simon Macintyre - restorer
v Two weeks with Charlie Oldham - carver
v Two weeks with Gareth Evans - gilder
Apprentice box
3
“This woodwork course stands out from
the others I looked at. It is unique. I like
the fact that it is so intensive and covers so
much ground. It is also ideally situated for
me to explore Europe in the holidays.”
David Cheshire
Wood artist, www.peterbaileyart.com
woodworking techniques
covered on the course
2.1 TIMBER IDENTIFICATION
Continues throughout the course.
2.2 HAND TOOLS:
Identification, Maintenance, Handling & Care
Sharpening: Chisels, Small Hand Planes and Cabinet Scrapers
2.3 MACHINE TOOLS:
Identification & Safe Handling
A programme to assess and train each student for safe use of machine
tools will be phased in from Week 2. No student may use a machine
tool until passed as competent for its safe use.
lDisc & Drum Sanders
lLathes
lElectric Bench Sanders
lBandsaws
lRouters - small & large
lJigsaws
lCircular saws
lBiscuit joiners
lCross-cut circular saws
lArbotech
lElectric fretsaws
lMorticers
lPlaners - bench-mounted
lPower files
lPlaners - floor-standing
lDomino joiners
lCommercial pad sander
lVarious Air tools & Cordless tools
lElectric grindstones & waterwheels
lAutomatic chisel-sharpening machine
lDrill presses - floor-standing
lVacuum veneer presses
Clare Charleston, Tutor
4
2.4 SETTING OUT, SAWING & MARKING
The first stages in making a piece of furniture.
2.5 TIMBER TECHNOLOGY
Students are instructed in air seasoning and conditioning as well as an
affordable technique of kiln drying. They are also introduced to wet
seasoning using P.E.G. solution and how to use a moisture meter.
To further students' understanding of the techniques used in preventing
the movement of wood in furniture making, lectures are given by a
sawmill owner, a tree specialist with his own mobile planking machine
and an organ maker.
The following areas are also covered:
lTree Growth, Felling & Conversion
lSelection for Purchase
2.6 FURNITURE RESTORATION
This subject is covered throughout the course. Students participate
daily in a brief discussion about restoration projects being carried out
in the commercial workshops and are, therefore, exposed to a wide
variety of topics. A week is set aside in terms 1 and 3 for students to
have practical experience of restoring at least 3 genuine pieces of
antique furniture which the School will provide.
2.7 BENCH APPLIANCES
This topic incorporates the making of jigs to assist with work at the
bench - students will learn and appreciate how to think in a different and
imaginative way.
lOilstone Boxes incorporating Strop
lBench Hook
lDovetail Template
lStringing Board, Scratchstock*
2.8 WOOD BENDING
This is a subject of great importance particularly in relation to the
design of contemporary furniture.
lLaminating: Serpentine drawer front
lCurved rails cut from solid
lBrick building
lCoopering
lUsing bendy Ply
lSteam Bending*
lCorrecting warps in wood (restoration)*
Leaving warp to right itself and using water to correct warp
Kerfing
Battens
Complete removal of interior wood (in extreme cases only)
Graham Davies, Tutor
*Please note that items marked with an asterisk throughout the syllabus will be demonstrated only due to time constraints.
5
2.9 UPHOLSTERY
Simple upholstery
Students make a chair seat and upholster it with
traditional webbing, stuffing and calico covering.
Upholstery Repairs
lNails vs staplegun - close nailing
lCovers (centring pattern & estimating quantity of material needed)
lGimp
lSubcontracting cane, rush & sea grass work and then ageing it
2.10 CHAIR BLOCKS
Wood blocks expansion blocks (restoration)*
2.11 JOINTS
lRubbed lScarfed (restoration)
lBiscuit l“Domino” lMitre: True & Faked*
lDowel lVeneer Keyed Mitre*
lTongue & Groove/Loose T & G
lMortice & Tenon (restoration):
Two shouldered through
Four shouldered stopped
Four shouldered through wedged
Use of Morticing Machine
lLap - Half Check
lDovetail:
Through
Lapped
Use of Woodrat dovetailing machine*
lRule
lKnuckle
lStrengthening keys (restoration):
Router key (cross-grain key)
Butterfly key
Tapered Cleat
Battened Reinforcing Joint
“I just absolutely loved every
minute of the course, and I
really miss having all those
materials, and facilities at my
fingertips. Not to mention the
expertise in the amazingly calm,
patient and friendly forms of
Alan, Graham, Clare and
Sandy.” Emily Norman
2.12 WOODTURNING
lCylinder
lFinial (in 2 parts)
lBeading
lSplit Work
lRestoration (fitting new turning to original
shrunk turning)*
Support of structurally weak turning*
Copy turning using vernier caliper plus shape
tracer
When to turn new leg rather than restore original*
Students produce a basic turning (which they later shape into a
barley twist by hand). They also turn a patera and the handle for a
veneer hammer (and make the head of the hammer using ash, elm
& thick brass).
Alan McGovern, Tutor
6
2.13 CROSS-GRAIN PLUGS
l Removal of rusty nails & screws (restoration)*
l Blind nailing, Screws, Nails (clenched: when to
use in restoration)*
2.14 WOODSCREWS, TAPS & DIES
2.15 TABLE LINERS
Box Panel incorporating the laying of leather.
Back of Box Panel incorporating the laying of baize.
2.16 WINDSOR CHAIR MAKING
Students participate in the making of a Windsor Chair in teams of 4
during a 5-day specialist course.
2.17 MOULDINGS & CHAMFERS
Knowledge of this topic is essential for the restoration of antique
furniture and the design of reproduction furniture.
“I would just like to say it has been
fantastic and I really appreciate
everything that all the staff have
provided.” Leanne Glas-Thompson
MOULDINGS:
Chronology, descriptions & design
Moulding planes
Cross grain
Fluted, Dentil, Astragal*
Making new mouldings look old (restoration)
CHAMFERS:
Usage
Box Panel incorporating Walnut cross-grain
moulding.
2.18 VENEERING
Use of Veneers, Stringing & Banding
VENEERS:
Descriptions (curl, burr, etc.)
Preparation of groundwork (flattening dry,
buckled veneer)
Laying
Jointing
Oysterwork
BANDINGS:
Laying
Steaming feather-banding to produce a curve
BRASS LINE:
Laying*
RESTORATION: Gluing down blisters
Lifting veneer from old surface
Use of veneer ‘thicknessing’ board*
Cutting double-knife-cut from the solid
with circular-saw*
Planing down repair without affecting
surrounding surface
Concealing joints using graining, finger jointing
as well as expanding & contracting the veneer
Relaying lifted brass line (expansion joint)
Box Panel incorporating veneer & inlays.
Box Panel incorporating oval fan.
Box Panel incorporating oyster work.
*Please note that items marked with an asterisk throughout the syllabus will be demonstrated only due to time constraints.
7
2.19 MARQUETRY, PARQUETRY, IVORY INLAY &
BOULLEWORK BRASS & TORTOISESHELL
For conservation reasons, only simulated tortoiseshell and ivory
are used.
l Design, Preparation & Cutting
l Use of Marquetry Cutting Board
l Restoration
l Fret: Open and Blind*
Box Lid incorporating marquetry & boulle work.
2.20 FINISHING & POLISHING
During this part of the course, students will polish the box and pieces
of furniture made during terms 1 and 2.
l Planing
l Filling
l Colour matching
l Polishing
l Scraping
l Staining
l Graining
l Filling grain
l Sanding
l Bleaching
l Distressing
“I met some great people and
learnt loads.” Hattie Barder
2.21 DECORATED FURNITURE
l Graining
l Restoration of small areas that
l Simulated Rosewood Panel.*
have been chipped or are missing.
2.22 METAL WORK
l Cleaning, Burnishing, Polishing & Distressing
l Repairing Locks & Keys
l Lacquering
l Ageing with nitric acid/mahogany sawdust & ammonia/tormaline
l Making & designing hinge cover plates & escutcheons*
l Lining up hinges
l Rivets old-fashioned and new (pop)*
2.23 WOODCARVING
Students carve a cabriole leg and small patera to a traditional design
in the first term.
Students carve a barley twist as part of a candlestick in the second
term.
During the third term students learn from a professional how to carve
in three dimensions.
Carving tool Identification/Maintenance
Carving Restoration
Copy carving
Students carve a split leaf moulding.
Relief carving
Students carve an acanthus leaf & lion’s paw foot.
Students also carve a mirror frame to their own design.
Chippendale desk in the Burrell Collection
Photo © Culture & Sport Glasgow (Museums)
8
2.24 GILDING
l Description & Identification
l Preparation of wood
l Laying of gesso and Armenian
l Water/Loose Leaf
l Transfer Leaf
l Restoration
bole
Box Panel incorporating gilding and silvering.
Students gild their carved mirror frame.
2.24 GESSO MOULDINGS
l Casting mouldings and fitting to frames
l Strengthening delicate areas with wire implant
l Colouring & toning
l Gilding & highlight gilding
Students will restore a gilded picture frame.
2.25 GLASS
l Selection & Cutting (including
l Glazing
l Puttying in
l Fixing with lead astragals
shaped glass)
Box panel incorporating stained-glass & lead work.
2.26 FURNITURE HISTORY
A series of daily lectures ensure a thorough grounding is given in the
history of furniture design and construction through the ages up to
modern day.
2.27 WORKSHOP ORGANISATION
l Ordering and storing supplies
l Health & Safety at Work Acts
COSHH
(Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
“Working in such an intensive
environment you can’t help but
soak up information. The
structure of the course throws you
in at the deep-end but with the
fantastic support of the teaching
team you definitely learn to swim
and not sink.” Hannah Honneywill
2.28 MATERIALS
The School promotes the use of locally sourced and/or sustainable
materials, and will provide oak, ash, elm, spalted beech, yew and
sycamore. Exotic hardwoods such as mahogany are avoided, and
indigeneous hardwoods will be recommended for projects. If students
wish to use other timbers they will be charged accordingly.
2.29 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
l Setting up in business: where? when? and how?
l How to estimate and control cashflow
l How to cope with the ‘down time’
l The importance of diversification
l How to assess your market and promote your business
l The balance between the conservation (ie restoration) and
the
making of furniture
l Procedure from estimate to settlement
l Pricing work
l Customer relations and service
l Organisation of transport
l Motivation of employees/self to hit targets
l Invoicing/credit control
The School reserves the right to make changes to the course content as
circumstances dictate.
9
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS…
3.1 WHAT QUALIFICATION WILL I OBTAIN?
On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a
Chippendale School certificate. In order to comply with the requirements
of the UK Border Agency, students coming from outside the EEA will
be required to sit the following two Higher National units:
SCOTTISH
QUALIFICATIONS
AUTHORITY
HN Furniture: Project FOXL 35 (SCQF Level 8; NQF level 5) and HN
Furniture: Finishing Techniques FOXG 33 (SCQF level 6; NQF level
3), the curriculum for which will be covered throughout the course.
These Higher National units are also available to any other students
who wish to acquire formal qualifications. The School is a Scottish
Qualifications Authority Approved Centre No. 3008002 and is
accredited by Education Scotland.
Recognising, however, that future employers and customers will be
more interested in evidence of practical ability than a paper certificate,
the most important qualifications that you will take away with you are
your ‘apprentice’ box and a portfolio of photographs of your work.
3.2 WHAT KIND OF CAREER COULD I FOLLOW
AFTER THE COURSE?
Emphasis will be placed on preparing you to have the confidence to set
up your own business on completion of the course in the true
entrepreneurial spirit of Thomas Chippendale. Although some students
choose to enter the arts or museum world, those seeking a truly
academic path are not suited to this course. The School has an
excellent reputation and will, in some cases, assist students to gain
employment in professional workshops.
3.3 WHEN WAS THE SCHOOL FOUNDED?
Anselm Fraser has been running the School since 1985.
3.4 WILL I BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE COURSE IF
I HAVE LITTLE WOODWORKING EXPERIENCE?
People come to the School to learn, some with no previous experience
and some with intermediate woodworking skills. The course is structured
to give students the time and tuition needed to build up competence.
Beginners work very hard and overcome any initial lack of experience.
3.5 I DON’T THINK THE COURSE WILL BE OF ANY
USE TO ME AS I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE
WORKING WITH WOOD.
Those who have already completed full-time woodworking courses
elsewhere or have considerable woodworking experience are not
encouraged to apply. Too often we find that those who attend multiple
courses are simply putting off the moment at which they must begin to
take responsibility for their future and start earning a living. However,
those whose experience of woodwork has been gained through
employment and who wish to change direction, for example away
from mass-produced to custom-built furniture, will find plenty to
stimulate them on this course.
3.6 WHAT DO THE COURSE FEES COVER?
The course fees of £17,700 cover all tuition, the use of hand and
machine tools, materials (within reason) provided for course work and
course projects, and all visits to museums, private collections and local
businesses. The cost of accommodation and personal expenses are not
10
covered. If you are travelling from abroad, a ‘guideline’ overall budget
for a single person, including fees, is estimated at £27,000 (approx
US $43,000 or Yen 4.2m, depending upon exchange rate). Evidence of
your ability to cover these costs is a pre-requisite of enrolment and
indeed entry into the UK.
3.7 HOW ARE THE FEES PAID?
A deposit of £4,000, payable on enrolment, secures your place on the
course. The balance of £13,700 is payable in one lump sum one month
before the start of the course. If you have qualified for an Earlybird
discount, this will be deducted from the balance of fees payable.
3.8 HOW DO THESE FEES COMPARE WITH THOSE OF
OTHER TRAINING PROVIDERS IN THE SAME FIELD?
From our research into comparable furniture courses, it would appear
that 2-3 years minimum is required to cover the same range of subject
matter that we have deliberately condensed down to a period of only 9
months. When taking into account loss of earnings while attending as a
student, we believe our course fees represent excellent value for money,
even when compared with highly-subsidised government training courses.
Sandy Burns, Tutor
3.9 HOW CAN I FINANCE THIS COURSE?
Students from the UK can obtain information on financial assistance to
support their learning by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or
contacting Next Step on 0800 100 900. * See note below for information
on Professional & Career Development Loans.
Former members of the UK armed forces may qualify for a grant of
£1,000 - £4,000 through the MOD’s ELC scheme as the school has
Approved Learning Provider Status.
See www.enhancedlearingcredits.com or call us.
Students from some European and Scandinavian countries may be eligible
for grants or loans from their own Governments. Students from Third
World countries should approach the World Bank, most effectively with
the official support of a training/ educational organisation in their own
country. Students from all other countries should first contact their own
Government and then the British Council in their own country to enquire
whether there are any special loans or grants available to them for this training.
It is worth noting that you may be able to make a contribution to the
fees through the sale of items made on the course.
* Professional & Career Development Loans are commercial bank
loans that can be used to help pay for work-related learning for UK
residents. You may be able to borrow between £300 and £10,000 to
help support the cost of up to 2 years of learning. The Young People’s
Learning Agency will pay the interest on the loan while you are
learning and for one month afterwards. The loan can be used to pay
course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can
also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or
bursaries. Because the Professional & Career Development Loan is a
commercial loan, it should only be considered as an option once all
other student funding options have been investigated. Our learning
provider registration number is 4991.
3.10 WHERE WILL I LIVE?
You can opt to live with a host family in a nearby village or town at a
cost of around £500 per month inclusive of food, and this allows you to
be immediately integrated into the social life of the area. Alternatively
11
you can rent self-catering accommodation nearby which costs typically
around £400 per month, plus food and utility bills. The School can help
organise your accommodation if you wish.
3.11 WHAT ABOUT TRANSPORT?
Although the School is on a bus route linking the village of Gifford to
neighbouring towns, the service is infrequent and rather slow. Most
students choose to buy a second-hand car costing up to £1,000 (plus
road tax & insurance) and then to sell it on completion of the course.
The School can help with this. As a rough guide, depreciation tends to
be around 50% over the period. Of course those of a hardy disposition
may choose to cycle, but waterproofs are essential for this.
3.12 HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE ON THE COURSE
AND WHAT IS THE STUDENT/TEACHER RATIO?
Up to 21 places are offered. The maximum student to teacher ratio is
about 4:1.
3.13 WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE?
Anyone over the age of 18.
3.14 ARE THERE STUDENTS OF MANY NATIONALITIES?
Created by Camille Rust
Students at the School come from a wide variety of countries and cultures.
3.15 WHAT LEVEL OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IS
REQUIRED FOR THE COURSE?
A TOEFL iBT score level B1 or IELTS level B1 is adequate for the
course. We find that our overseas students’ English Language skills
improve substantially whilst on the course and living with a local
family. We can also put students in touch with well-qualified local
teachers who offer individual or group tuition at reasonable charges.
3.16 I AM A NATIONAL OF A COUNTRY OUTSIDE
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA). WILL I
BE ABLE TO GAIN ENTRY TO THE UK TO STUDY AT
YOUR SCHOOL?
You will find useful information about student entry requirements on
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/
The Chippendale School of Furniture is on the Tier 4 Register of
Sponsors (Licence No 9K4C1UF57) and has Highly Trusted Status.
You will have to obtain a Student Visa under the Points Based System,
which will allow you to remain in the UK for the full length of the
course plus two months at the end.
3.17 WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN SCOTLAND?
There is a good reason why the vegetation in Scotland is so lush and
green— it rains frequently, though less so in East Lothian than the rest
of Scotland. Winter temperatures are typically -2 to 10ºC, whilst in the
summer 10 to 25ºC is the norm.
3.18 DO PAST STUDENTS RETAIN CONTACT WITH
THE SCHOOL?
Most certainly they do! Help is only a phone call, Facebook message or
email away if past students want advice or have specific questions. The
School has developed a very lively global network of past students who
have opened their own workshops and may be able to offer work
placements to others.
12
HOW TO APPLY
For successful application it is essential to read these notes and to have
a clear idea of the requirements and procedure before you fill in the
enclosed Application Form. Each application will be considered on its
merits in order of the date it is received by the School.
Early application is advised to get the best chance of securing your
place. If you register in good time you may be able to qualify for
our earlybird discount (see website). When the course becomes
oversubscribed a waiting list is established.
4.1 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Places are awarded at the School on the basis of:
l The
information contained in your application.
l Written
recommendations from at least 2 referees who have known
you well for a minimum of 3 years, but who are not members of
your family. Referees need to be at least 18 years of age.
David Lonsdale’s i-pod shelving design
l A discussion
with the Principal, either as part of a visit to the
School, or, where distance makes this impracticable, over the
telephone.
4.2 REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
If the School offers you a place and you wish to accept it, you will be
required to secure it within one month by sending us:
l A deposit
of £4,000. This is non-refundable and will be deducted
from fees due at the beginning of the course.
l Written
“This was one of the happiest and
most carefree years of my life. I
will be travelling home with so
many new skills, new knowledge
and memories of meeting great
people and having huge fun.”
evidence from your bank/ financial adviser/sponsor
confirming sufficient funds for tuition fees and living costs while on
the course. Proof of funds for non-EEA nationals have to be in a
form acceptable to the UK Border Agency. Visit website detailed
at 3.16.
l A signed
standard contract provided by the School confirming the
details of acceptance to the course.
l A copy
of your passport.
4.3 PROCEDURE
? Application Form
l Complete the application form at the back of the syllabus or inserted
into the prospectus as fully as possible, including the names,
telephone numbers & email addresses of three referees who
meet the criteria above. Please make sure that they will be available
to respond quickly when we contact them.
l Attach
l Send
4 passport-sized photographs of yourself.
to The Admissions Secretary,
The Chippendale International School of Furniture,
Gifford, HADDINGTON, East Lothian, EH41 4JA, UK.
? Referees’ Recommendations
When we receive your application form, we will immediately
contact your referees, asking them to complete a short form and
return it to us within 14 days. Please note that we cannot proceed
with an application until we have written recommendations from at
least two of your referees. When we have received these, we will
contact you to arrange your meeting/discussion with the Principal.
13
? Meeting/Discussion with the Principal
A personal visit to the School, including the discussion with the
Principal, is the soundest basis for both School and applicant to
make a decision. If this is not possible we will arrange for you to
telephone the Principal to discuss your application. Visits can be
arranged for any day Monday-Friday, or on a Saturday morning
and local accommodation can be organised. Dates and times of
telephone discussions are organised in advance.
“A very intensive course covering
a lot of material, very tiring at
times, but very rewarding.”
? Place Offer and Acceptance
Following the visit/discussion, the Principal will write a formal
letter to confirm whether or not the School can offer you a place. If
you accept, the offer will normally be held open for one month to
allow you to complete the formal registration requirements above.
We will send you all the necessary documents at this stage, together
with detailed information to help you plan practical arrangements
for your stay here.
PREPARATION FOR VISIT
TO THE SCHOOL
5.1 VISITING TIMETABLE
We hope you will be able to visit the School in person. The following
is a typical timetable of such a visit, if it takes place in term time:
8.55 am
9.15 - 10.00 am
10.00 - 10.30 am
10.30 - 11.15 am
11.15 - 12.00 am
12.00 - 1.00 pm
Earliest Arrival Time
Join the Morning Lecture
Interview with one of the resident Tutors,
Alan McGovern or Graham Davies
Tour of Workshops
Coffee and Discussion with the Principal
Speak to students
5.2 QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE
PRINCIPAL
The following questions form the basis of the discussion between
every applicant and the Principal. We hope that you will also take the
opportunity to prepare questions of your own.
l What
are your reasons for considering coming to the Chippendale
International School of Furniture, and what points put it ahead of
other Schools in your estimation?
l Have
you attended any previous furniture/woodworking courses?
l Do you have the funds to support your studies here? Do you realise
that the overall cost of fees and living here will be in the region of
£27,000 or US $43,000 or Yen 4.2m (subject to exchange rate)?
l Do
you have the support of your family in embarking on furniture
making and restoration as a profession?
l What
are your ambitions for the future - is it your intention to set
up your own woodworking enterprise, or do you favour the idea of
being employed by someone else as a furniture maker/restorer, or
neither of the above perhaps?
l Do
you have any views at this stage on whether you wish to
concentrate more on the restoration, the making of furniture, or a
combination of the two?
l What
l
else, culturally, would you like to get out of the year here?
What attracts you to Scotland?
14
HOW TO find us
For those arriving by public transport, the best way to get to the School
is via Edinburgh. Travel to Edinburgh can be by coach, train or flight.
Gifford is situated a further 25 miles to the east of Edinburgh.
6.1 BUSES FROM LONDON TO EDINBURGH
There are 3 direct National Express coaches per day both ways, 7 days a
week, between Victoria Coach Station, London and St Andrew Square,
Edinburgh. You can reserve tickets via the National Express enquiry
line 08717 818178 or www.nationalexpress.com. You could also try
the low cost megabus service on 0871 266 3333 or www.megabus.com.
6.2 TRAINS FROM LONDON TO EDINBURGH
Trains run 7 days per week up the East Coast from London Kings Cross
to Edinburgh Waverley, approximately every hour. The journey takes
about 5 hours. There is also an overnight service from London Euston to
Edinburgh Waverley. Cheaper fares are available if you book in advance.
Try the national enquiry line 08457 48 49 50 or www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Another website you may find useful is www.qjump.co.uk.
6.3 FLIGHTS TO EDINBURGH
Direct international flights arrive at Edinburgh from an increasing
number of countries. For advice ask your local Travel Agent, or try the
enquiries line at Edinburgh Airport on 0844 448 8833, or
www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/edinburgh. Another website you may find
useful is www.skyscanner.net. There is a frequent bus service between
the airport and the centre of Edinburgh.
6.4 TRAVEL FROM EDINBURGH TO THE CHIPPENDALE
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF FURNITURE
If you are hiring a car you will find maps of how to reach the school
both on the back page of the Prospectus and on the “Contact” section of
our website.
If you are relying on public transport however, you will need to take
the bus from Edinburgh to Haddington, where we will pick you up. We
will also take you back to Haddington after your visit.
There is a good bus service from Edinburgh to Haddington, East Lothian.
The journey takes 30 - 55 minutes. Try www.gov.uk/plan-your-journey
or www.relbus.org.uk for timings. The fare is approx £4.00 single.
Your destination is Market Street, Haddington (in the town centre).
Please ring us before you set off and we will pick you up from
Kesley’s Bookshop.
Overnight Accommodation in Gifford
You can arrange to stay at The Goblin Ha’ Hotel, Main St, Gifford,
EH41 4QH (T: +44 1620 810244 www.goblinha.com) which is 20
minutes walk from the School (or a short taxi ride T: 01620 811115).
The cost of a room there is about £60 per night for bed and breakfast, and
you can have an evening meal in the bar or dining room from about £15.
For other accommodation options try
http://www.visiteastlothian.org/places.asp
Chess piece by Martin Willis
15
HELP AND ADVICE
If you find you need more help and advice, or have other questions to
ask us, please get in touch.
NB: The School is continually striving to improve the syllabus and
carries out a detailed review at the end of each course to see what
improvements might be made for the following course. This may
result in minor changes being made to the items appearing in this
booklet. There will however be no surprises as any changes made
will be reflected in the detailed timetable sent to students before the
start of the first Term.
Freddie Pendarves looking through his desk (above).
16
Josh Miller’s ‘Curved Corner’ which won second prize in The Morgan Furniture Award.
Developing creative careers in wood.
The
Chippendale
International School of
Furniture
Gifford, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4JA Scotland, UK
T: (44) (0) 1620 810680 F: (44) (0) 1620 810701
E: [email protected]
www.chippendaleschool.com
Registered in Scotland, company no. SC172877
17
The
Chippendale
International School of
Furniture
APPLICATION FORM
Furniture Design, Making and Restoration Course 2014-2015
Please complete this form and return it to:
Admissions Office, The Chippendale International School of Furniture,
Gifford, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4JA, UK
Please note: A waiting list is established when the course is over subscribed.
PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Title*
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
Please attach 4
recent passport
photographs of
yourself
DATE OF BIRTH
NATIONALITY
MARITAL STATUS
PRESENT ADDRESS
POSTCODE
TELEPHONE
MOBILE
EMAIL
PERMANENT ADDRESS (if different from above)
POSTCODE
TELEPHONE
MOBILE
EMAIL
DETAILS OF EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
*Circle as appropriate
18
DETAILS OF PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE
WHY DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THIS COURSE?
WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO AFTER THE COURSE?
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO FINANCE THE COURSE AND YOUR LIVING EXPENSES?
These are likely to be around £27,000 combined (US $43,000 or Yen 4.2m approx)
Self Funding o
Parent/Legal Guardian Sponsor o
Corporate/Government Sponsor o
Other o Please Specify
NAMES, TEL NOS & EMAIL ADDRESSES OF THREE REFEREES
(Please note that they should NOT be related to you, and should have known you for at least three years)
1. NAME
TEL (incl country code)
EMAIL
2. NAME
TEL (incl country code)
EMAIL
3. NAME
TEL (incl country code)
EMAIL
GIVE DETAILS OF ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF WHICH THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE AWARE
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE CHIPPENDALE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF FURNITURE?
GIVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF YOUR APPLICATION
DECLARATION
I declare that the information given on this form is correct
Signature
Date
The information given on this form is treated in the strictest confidence.
19
The
Chippendale
International School of
Furniture
FEES AND
COURSE DATES
Developing creative careers in wood.
Fees and dates
COURSE DATES FOR 2014-15
An investment in your future
Autumn term: 13 October
Spring term: 12 January
Summer term:13 April
– 19 December 2014 (10 weeks)
– 20 March 2015 (10 weeks)
– 19 June 2015 (10 weeks)
Why an intensive course makes more sense
financially?
Our intensive course, covering skills from practical furniture
making to design and commercial skills, is the equivalent of at
least three years at college. Our syllabus is designed to be more
effective than other furniture making courses in both the UK and
internationally.
We’ve designed the course to provide you with the best value
possible. For those changing career, a 3-year course is often
unaffordable (due to loss of earnings and the need to cover living
expenses over three years). That's why our furniture course is
designed to provide you with the same furniture design and
woodworking skill-set in just 9 months (with about 30% more
practical bench time) compared to longer 3 year courses.
This approach allows us to equip students for a future in
furniture making in only 36 weeks (including Christmas and
Easter breaks).
Course Fees
Evidence of your ability to cover course fees and living expenses
is naturally a pre-requisite of enrolment.
The course fee of £17,700 covers:
• All tuition
• The use of hand and machine tools
• All materials (within reason) that the School provides
for course work
• Entrance fees to museums and private houses
When taking into account loss of earnings* while attending as a
student, and the number of hours** spent actually working at the
bench on this intensive course, we are confident that our course
fee represents excellent value for money, even when compared
with highly-subsidised government training courses. At our
School you spend 24 hours each week under supervision and a
further optional 24 hours each week unsupervised.
Course Payment Schedule
A deposit of £4,000, payable on enrolment, secures a place on
the course. The balance of the tuition fees of £13,700 is payable
one month before the start of the course. This balance may be
reduced by an Earlybird discount, if you register early (see
website for details).
Assumptions:
* Average annual UK wage = £26,500: potential loss of earnings over
two additional years = £53,000.
** Practical bench time on our intensive course = up to 1,440 hours
over 30 weeks.
Practical bench time at typical government training centre = 900 hours
over 3 years.
Tools and Equipment
The Chippendale School provides most of the tools you will
need to become proficient in woodworking and furniture
making. The only tools that a student is required to purchase
(supplied by the School) are a set of Pfeil carving chisels (about
£200) and a robust personal dust mask (about £250).
Accommodation and Living
Former service men and women from the armed forces can
apply for a grant of £1,000 to £4,000 towards their fees for the
furniture making course; the School has Approved Learning
Provider status for former members of the Armed Forces
(through the MOD Enhanced Learning Credit (ELC) Scheme).
Contact us and see www.enhancedlearningcredits.com for more
details on the application process.
If you are from overseas, you will be pleased to hear that the School has Highly
Trusted Sponsor status with the UK Borders Agency (Tier 4 Register of
Sponsors Licence no. 9K4C1UF57). It is also accredited by Education Scotland.
The cost of accomodation and living is approximately £4,500
(depending on the type of accommodation). The Chippendale
School is a well known part of the local community and we have
a range of approved accommodation which we can put you in
touch with.
The Chippendale School is a Scottish Qualifications Authority
approved centre (No 3008002).
SCOTTISH
QUALIFICATIONS
The
Chippendale
International School of
Furniture
Gifford, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4JA Scotland, UK
T: (44) (0) 1620 810680 F: (44) (0) 1620 810701
E: [email protected]
www.chippendaleschool. com
AUTHORITY
The
Chippendale
International School of
Furniture
APPLICATION FORM
Furniture Design, Making and Restoration Course 2014-2015
Please complete this form and return it to:
Admissions Office, The Chippendale International School of Furniture,
Gifford, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4JA, UK
Please note: A waiting list is established when the course is over subscribed.
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Title*
FIRST NAME
LAST NAME
PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS
Please attach 4
recent passport
photographs of
yourself
DATE OF BIRTH
NATIONALITY
MARITAL STATUS
PRESENT ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
EMAIL
PERMANENT ADDRESS (if different from above)
TELEPHONE
EMAIL
POSTCODE
MOBILE
POSTCODE
MOBILE
DETAILS OF EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
*Circle as appropriate
DETAILS OF PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE
WHY DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THIS COURSE?
WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO AFTER THE COURSE?
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO FINANCE THE COURSE AND YOUR LIVING EXPENSES?
These are likely to be around £27,000 combined (US $43,000 or Yen 4.2m approx)
Self Funding J
Other J Please Specify
Parent/Legal Guardian Sponsor J
Corporate/Government Sponsor J
NAMES, TEL NOS & EMAIL ADDRESSES OF THREE REFEREES
(Please note that they should NOT be related to you, and should have known you for at least three years)
1. NAME
TEL (incl country code)
2. NAME
TEL (incl country code)
3. NAME
TEL (incl country code)
EMAIL
EMAIL
EMAIL
GIVE DETAILS OF ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF WHICH THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE AWARE
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE CHIPPENDALE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF FURNITURE?
GIVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF YOUR APPLICATION
DECLARATION
I declare that the information given on this form is correct
Signature
Date
The information given on this form is treated in the strictest confidence.