Schools

TCDT SCHOOLS WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

The Creative Dimension Trust (TCDT) offers free extracurricular workshops to students from underserved backgrounds who wish to develop hand skills. Students work with leading global specialists with the aim of inspiring future careers. TCDT also provides work experience opportunities, giving students assess to some of the best creative companies in the UK.

Workshops consists of five after school sessions lasting 1 ½ hours for ten students aged 14-19 and up to three of their teachers. Students are selected by the school.

“The gold leaf gilding course was a very valuable opportunity for me as I improved my hand eye coordination. I showcased the gold leaf bauble I made at TCDT in my Dentistry interviews. The interviewers seemed very intrigued by my manual dexterity, and I got a place. As a result, I am very grateful for the opportunity given to me by the creative dimension trust.”

– Student from La Sainte Union Catholic School, Camden

“I am very grateful to the Creative Dimension Trust for giving me the opportunity to be part of their community and do what I like the most (being creative) without having to worry about the costs. I enjoyed all the workshops I participated in, not only because I was taught by experts who share the same passion for what they do, but also because I met new people with whom I worked together and made so many memories. I would highly recommend them to anyone no matter their experience.” 

– Student from Maria Fidelis School, Camden

Evaluation from students and teachers out of 10 

Overall: 9.2  

Valuable: 8.9 

Well taught: 9.7  

Opportunities not available at school: 9.5   

Upcoming workshops for 2025/26 include:

Term 1:

Jewellery (22^ndSeptember – 20^thOctober 2025) – Parliament Hill School, Camden
Bookbinding (22^ndSeptember – 20^thOctober 2025) – La Sainte Union Catholic School, Camden
Leatherworking (23^rd September – 21^st October 2025) – Maria Fidelis School, Camden
Jewellery (23^rd September – 21^st October 2025) – Acland Burghley School, Camden
Technical Drawing (6^thOctober – 10^thNovember 2025) – Woodford County High School, Waltham Forest

Term 2:

Bookbinding (3^rdNovember – 27^thNovember 2025) – Parliament Hill School, Camden
Technical Drawing (12^thNovember – 10^thDecember 2025) – Mulberry School for Girls, Tower Hamlets
Furniture Making (12^thNovember – 10^thDecember 2025) – Mulberry School for Girls, Tower Hamlets

Term 3:

Jewellery (13^thJanuary – 10^thFebruary 2026) – Maria Fidelis School, Camden
Leather Working (13^thJanuary – 10^thFebruary 2026) – La Sainte Union Catholic School, Camden

Term 4:

Leather Working (24^thFebruary – 24^thMarch 2026) – Acland Burghley School, Camden
Technical Drawing (24^thFebruary – 24^thMarch 2026) – Featherstone High, Ealing
Jewellery (24^thFebruary – 24^thMarch 2026) – Graveney, Wandsworth

Term 5:

Furniture Making (21^stApril – 19^thMay 2026) – Maria Fidelis School, Camden
Leather Working (21^stApril – 19^thMay 2026) – Parliament Hill School, Camden
Jewellery (20^thApril – 1^stJune 2026) – La Sainte Union Catholic School, Camden

Jewellery Making Workshop

This immersive workshop introduces students to the foundational skills of jewellery making, guiding them through hands-on projects such as crafting a brooch, ring, or pendant. Participants will build confidence as they learn essential techniques—including sawing, cutting, shaping, filing, and soldering metal—while also developing more advanced skills, such as creating a collet to set a stone or forming a catch and pin joint for a brooch. By the end of the workshop, each student will have designed and made their own wearable jewellery piece. The workshop is led by expert jeweller Paul Ravn, a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths and former staff member at the renowned Jewellery School at London Metropolitan University (The Cass), bringing decades of professional craftsmanship and teaching experience to the session.

Bookbinding Workshop

This course introduces students to the craft and artistry of bookbinding, exploring both traditional techniques and contemporary approaches. Bookbinding is an ancient practice that has evolved from medieval manuscripts to today’s innovative artist books, and students will experience this rich history through hands-on weekly projects. Each session focuses on a new binding method, guiding students in creating a series of small notebooks to take home. Alongside the practical work, they will learn the language of the bindery—from signatures and sewing stations to covers, endpapers, and structural variations. By working with a range of forms, from simple folded booklets to stitched hardcovers, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of both the functional and decorative possibilities of the bound book. The course is led by Kristina Chan, a professional artist and printmaker whose work has been exhibited internationally and is held in prestigious collections including the V&A, the Ingram Collection, and the Royal Collection.

Technical Drawing Workshop

In this dynamic workshop, students will explore two essential forms of design drawing: precise measured line drawings and expressive visual sketches that bring architectural ideas to life. By designing a building set within a garden, participants will learn how to draw in perspective, create hand-drafted plans and elevations, and render interiors or exteriors using pencil techniques. The session builds both technical confidence and creative fluency, giving students a strong foundation in architectural visualisation. This workshop is led by Sarah Hocombe, a fresco painter and illustrator whose work has appeared on products for several well-known brands.

Tailoring Workshop

This hands-on workshop introduces students to the key techniques used by designers and tailors to create structured cloth details such as panels, pockets, collars, and cuffs. As they develop an understanding of how these elements form the architecture of a garment, students will gain confidence in cutting, stitching, pressing, basting, and finishing. By the end of the session, each participant will have created a toile (prototype) collar that incorporates essential skills needed for producing 3D garments for fashion, apparel, or costume. The workshop is taught by Ian Scott Kettle, a highly respected freelance designer with over twenty years of experience. His work has been profiled in leading publications including Vogue, and he has contributed to notable projects across the arts, film, theatre, and music industries, working with figures such as Cindy Sherman, Toyah, and Michael Jackson.

Leather Working Workshop

Designed for beginners and emerging makers, this workshop introduces students to the fundamental techniques of leathercraft. Participants will create a series of small leather goods—such as cardholders, keychain lanyards, and belts—each project building practical skills including pattern cutting, saddle stitching, gluing, hardware attachment, and a variety of edge-finishing methods. By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of accessories design and the full process of transforming an idea into a functional 3D object. The workshop is led by Candice Lau, an award-winning master leatherworker whose collaborations include Coach, Bang & Olufsen, Toast, and the V&A.

Furniture Making Workshop

In this engaging workshop, students will learn essential woodworking skills as they craft a three-legged stool from start to finish. Each session introduces new techniques—from accurate measuring to the safe use of drills, saws, and other tools—while building confidence in foundational joinery. Through hands-on practice, students will deepen their understanding of furniture construction and develop the practical skills needed for future making. This workshop is run by Emma Leslie, founder of the New School of Furniture Making and an established designer-maker with her own professional practice.

If you have any enquiries about this new programme please contact – [email protected]