Student Feedback

At the end of each course we ask our students to give us feedback. We get a lot of positive comments, as well as some constructive criticisms (which we aim to address). A sample of feedback from furniture design students is featured in this section. Please select from the years listed to view students' comments.

Student Feedback 2010/11

Which parts of the course did you find most rewarding?

Carving, gilding & stained glass.
Being able to design and build whatever I wanted. Completing my solid wood 1st term project. Having assistance and advice from tutors. Vibrant workshop environment. Tom Thackray.
The ability to make my own pieces and not have anything set down for me to do.
Finishing & selling the pieces and learning & applying all the different skills.
Being able to try out everything and anything I’d like. Marquetry. Wood Turning.
All the extra skills – gilding, carving, the apprentice box panels. Lots of places will teach the basics, but you do more.
All of it. I met some great people and learnt loads. My life has changed for good! (Hattie Barder)
The feedback from people over the two exhibitions evenings was mind-blowing and has made me want this lifestyle more.
The exhibition was great in the sense that we could get some feedback from the crowd and see where we can improve or what customer base suits us. The dedication of the tutors was even moving! (Anais Dancet)

Would you have preferred to have attended a longer course here, at extra cost…?

No – it’s a fair subject matter to time-frame ratio.
No – personally I am now ready to start working in the furniture world.
No – the course is perfectly comprehensive.
I’m not sure that having a formal qualification is that important within this industry.
A longer course would have been good, but where do you end it? 30 weeks was a good compromise.
No. I was supposed to go to uni and get a qualification, but I would never have learnt as much, or been in the workshops, as much. (Hattie Barder)

Overall experience of attending the school

9 months that goes by pretty quickly. Many friends made for life. Skills that would be more difficult to learn elsewhere... (Kevin Crawford)
I have got everything I need from the course to start me off. (Rupert Phelps)
I learnt a huge amount and I had a great time. It was excellent. (Jack Leith)
It has been a life-changing experience. I am scared about the future but am confident that I can do it, thank you. (Suzanne Ryan)
More than worthwhile. (Sean McManus)
A very rewarding, unique and valuable experience (Leanne Glas-Thompson)
My goal was to gain the knowledge/confidence to be able to make whatever I want after leaving. While I don’t have all the skills, I do have the confidence to try. (John Gale)
For me, life changing, I now have a full time job and have made great friends. (Rory Dyer)
Intense! (Anais Dancet)
I’ll definitely take this with me for the rest of my life (Anais Dancet)
I would just like to say it has been fantastic and I really appreciate everything that all the staff have provided (Leanne Glas-Thompson)
I’d like to thank everyone involved with the course – I’ve loved it! (Rory Dyer)

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