Firing Up Year 2 Launches
Tristram Hunt MP will launch the second year of the Crafts Council’s scheme Firing Up on Wednesday 28 September at Staffordshire University.
Firing Up aims to re-invigorate the teaching of ceramics in secondary schools across the UK. The scheme, supported by funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, launched in 2010 and enjoyed a successful first year.
The Firing Up scheme works on the premise of a Higher Education Institute (HEI) ceramics department working with a group of local secondary schools, artists and makers on creative ceramic projects. The project runs over a whole school year and hopes to provide school teachers with renewed confidence in teaching ceramics, investment in infrastructure in schools and to introduce a new generation of children to both the creative potential and career prospects of ceramics.
Staffordshire University is one of the selected Firing Up clusters for 2011 alongside Bath Spa University, Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Sunderland.
The pilot year of Firing Up focused on three clusters; Plymouth College of Art and Design, University of Arts, London, and Liverpool Hope University. The following five schools from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire will be working with Staffordshire University;
• Birches Head High School
• Cheslyn Hay Sport and Community High School
• Sandon Business and Enterprise College
• The Cooperative Academy at Brownshill
• Thistley Hough High School
Work by the students involved in the first year of Firing Up will be on display at the the original Spode factory site as part of the British Ceramics Biennial, which runs from the 30 September to 13 November.
“We are thrilled that we have Tristram Hunt’s support for Firing Up as the scheme launches in four new regions in 2011. It is a really important scheme – giving secondary school pupils the opportunity to access skilled ceramic technicians and makers which will hopefully open their eyes to the possibilities of ceramics. It is also timely that we launch here at Staffordshire University in such an important region for ceramics – Stoke-on-Trent – and on the eve of the start of the second British Ceramics Biennial.” Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director, Crafts Council
“We are delighted to be involved in this year’s Firing Up scheme, trying to reintroduce ceramics production into secondary schools. Staffordshire is special for its ceramics history and it’s important that we get school children interested in it again. So we’re teaching the teachers ceramics skills to pass onto their pupils as well as helping them to improve their facilities and get materials.” John Webber, Staffordshire University’s Firing Up Coordinator
“Firing Up is an exciting scheme and it is fitting that this year’s project will take place here in Stoke-on-Trent – the World Capital of Ceramics. The city has a long standing connection with the Potteries industry and it is great so see pottery kilns being fired up in city schools and put back on the education agenda. Stoke-on-Trent is a creative city and we should be encouraging young people to try their hand in ceramic skills.” Councillor Debra Gratton, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for children’s services
For more press information and images please contact Jill Read, Crafts Council Press Office, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7806 2549, Email: media@craftscouncil.org.uk
