Chippendale International School of Furniture

About

The Furniture School syllabus covers theory, practical skills, design & restoration through expert tuition, lectures, field trips & lots of one-to-one individual teaching - perfect for students who want to make working with wood their future.

Story

A vision for fine furniture making and design

In 1985 one of the UK's leading furniture designers, Anselm Fraser, bought a crumbling farm steading in the heart of the East Lothian countryside. His vision was to transform the 19th century stone barn into one of the world's leading independent furniture making and design schools.

The school grew steadily, with three or four students a year, but as its reputation for excellence in traditional and modern furniture making spread, so numbers increased.

Today up to 20 students a year undertake the professional course that runs from October through to early June. Graduates from this full-time course have gone on to run their own businesses, design furniture, teach or work in museums and much more.

There are five full-time members of staff and a host of visiting experts from design and practical backgrounds. Commercial bench space for school graduates who want to start their own business are also available to rent after the course in the adjoining Incubation Centre.

Anselm also runs an award winning furniture making and restoration business, Anselm Fraser Furniture - see http://www.anselmfraser.com/

Mission

What makes Chippendale International School of Furniture so unique?

Any prospective student looking at our syllabus will quickly see why our wood working and furniture design course is so successful

* the depth of training
* the access to experts
* the breadth of skills which students learn
* and the opportunity for practical skill development as well as understanding theory and context.

But just as important is our approach to education and creating the right environment to provide the optimum learning experience.

Woodworking Community

Every student benefits from the creative environment of the school. We have built a woodworking community with an incubation centre for new businesses, a successful furniture making business and the international school in the same complex.

Our Learning Environment

* Up to 1400 hours of bench time
* One to one tuition
* Peer to peer learning
* Visits from external experts
* Field trips

Learn by doing – a practical approach

A book can teach the basics of woodworking, such as how to hold a chisel but it cannot show you the right amount of pressure to apply to achieve the best finish.

A book or website cannot replicate the atmosphere of our school’s workshop where up to 20 students, each with their own workbench, learn from experienced tutors and from each other.

Nurture talent and celebrate creativity

The Chippendale School attracts students from all over the world, but with intake limited to only 20 students, the 30 week course offers a supportive, sustainable community that nurtures talent and celebrates creativity.

Expert Tuition

The School employs experienced tutors who are passionate about transferring their knowledge of woodworking to our students. As well as being course tutors, they are also professional cabinet makers and understand the demands of the woodworking profession.

Sustainability

We strive to be as sustainable as we can and actively promote respect for wood and the environment. The school advocates the use of locally sourced and sustainable materials, for teaching cabinet making skills; woodworking with a minimal environmental impact. Students are provided with oak, ash, elm, spalted beech, yew and sycamore.
Heritage in a modern context

Inspired by the work of Thomas Chippendale, the school encourages excellence in design grounded in practical woodworking skills; traditional craftsmanship in a modern context.

Products

Course overview

Future furniture designer, woodworker, business owner?

The Chippendale International School of Furniture offers a unique opportunity for students who want to make working with wood their future. The syllabus covers theory, practical skills, design and restoration through expert tuition, lectures, field trips and lots of one-to-one individual teaching.

* An intensive 30-week course
* Up to 1400 hours bench time
* One-to-one tuition with highly-experienced tutors
* Teaches a broad base of skills
* External tutors
* Field trips
* Antique furniture restoration; learn from past masters
* Peer-to-peer learning
* Individual and original project work and design
* Learn alongside a functioning cabinet making business

Syllabus Overview - How do we help create the future for our students?
Appreciate and Learn Furniture Design

Our students learn the history of furniture, from Thomas Chippendale through to top contemporary furniture designers. Our experienced tutors develop students' practical and creative furniture designing skills.

Practical Furniture Making on our cabinet making courses

Each student will develop their woodworking skills by making at least two original pieces during the course.

Learn Furniture Restoration

Only through the study of antique restoration can students learn the widest range of techniques. This is why our students get at least three items of antique furniture to restore during our cabinet making courses.

Commercial Furniture Making Classes

Business and marketing skills are an integral part of our furniture making course, giving students the confidence to turn their hobby and passion for furniture making into a business. In the second term the Principal offers each student one-to-one mentoring on their future career in furniture.
Field Trips

A programme of visits to Scotland’s top museums, workshops and private collections gives students the chance to see great pieces of furniture in context.