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A Level Fashion and Textiles Trip to Paris

On 29th September 2023 A Level Fashion and Textiles students flew to Paris, France. The trip offered students the unforgettable opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of couture during Paris Fashion Week. During our three day trip we visited the Musee Yves Saint Laurent, where we explored the couturier's body of work on the legendary premises of his former haute couture house. With a focus on Saint Laurent's creative process rather than the brand's history, the museum was a treasure trove of iconic haute couture designs, as well as illustrations, photographs, sketches and films. Highlights from the museum included the reception rooms where the designer met with clients, as well as the studio, where all of the collections were designed. 

We then ventured to the Louis Vuitton Foundation, which was an extraordinary space housing modern art and culture. Unfortunately due to events surrounding Paris Fashion Week the exhibits were closed for private functions, however, we were able to immerse ourselves and appreciate the architectural phenomenal of the curved glass ceilings and surrounding gardens. Frank Gehry was commissioned to design the building reflecting the unique, creative and innovative style of Louis Vuitton. It is a sustainable development with the focus on the preservation of natural resources. 

On the second day we ventured to the Musee du Louvre, the building is iconic, the collections are expansive and it houses some of the most famous pieces in the world. Students were able to tour through various eras within the museum, observing paintings, sculptures and architectural objects. We were fortunate enough to view the most enigmatic and iconic pieces of western art, The Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. 

The weather was glorious whilst we were away, which made our boat ride along the Seine even more spectacular. The boat ride gave us a different perspective of Paris allowing us to take in the historic heart and richness of Paris' heritage. Our tour included the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Conciergerie, the Musee d'Orsay among many more. 

Then it was time to travel 200 metres above Paris to the Montparnasse Tower Panoramic Observation Deck, providing us with 360 degree unforgettable and breathtaking views of Paris and its monuments. In addition students were able to shop along the Champs-Elysees, where they thoroughly enjoyed the free time to spend their money. We visited Coco Chanel and Pierre Cardin's couture boutiques. A trip to Paris would not be complete without a spectacular evening light show from beneath the Eiffel Tower to celebrate one of our students' eighteenth birthday.

We finally made our way home travelling in style via the Eurostar. Due to a last minute flight cancellation, we were booked into the Business Premier Class where students were able to enjoy the luxuries of the business lounge as we waited for our delayed train home. During the journey we were allocated seats with an old Dane who had attended the old boys school. The students thoroughly enjoyed discussing the school's traditions and houses with the gentleman, who is now a successful meat trader at Smithfield Market London. 

The trip was a huge success and it was an absolute delight to take the students away for the weekend. I can't begin to thank them for their impeccable behaviour whilst away, and none of it would have been possible without the assistance of Miss Bargh or Mrs Twine. We look forward to our next Fashion and Textiles trip!

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30th January

Teachers commended for transforming Design & Technology education

We were delighted to read that our Design and Technology teachers, Miss Yalley and Mr Hadley were featured in the Design and Technology publication.  The article discusses the transformation of the Design & Technology (D&T) department at St. Clement Danes School over the past five years. It discusses how Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley took ownership of the subject, implementing a new subject ethos based on trust, excellence, respect, and safety to foster student responsibility and independence. Key Initiatives & Changes Revamping Projects & Curriculum Introduced more challenging design projects at earlier years (Years 8 & 9). Shifted focus to design skills, problem-solving, and justifying choices over just practical outcomes. Prioritized quality over quantity in student projects. Notable projects: Year 7: Robot concepts Year 8: Articulated lamps Year 9: Branded dispensers & modular speakers Encouraging Inclusion & Diversity Created a girls-only club to boost female participation in GCSE Product Design. Sixth-form girls mentor younger students, building confidence and community. Design Ventura Competition Integrated mock coursework with the Design Ventura competition. Encouraged teamwork and prototyping to improve engagement. Use of AI & Technology Introduced cloud-based tools to make learning more accessible. Leveraged AI for idea development and communication. Professional Development & Industry Links Participating in the Teachers in Residence program to gain industry insights. Adopted industry models like the Double Diamond Design Process and Scrum-based project sprints to enhance student learning. Established workshops with industry professionals to inspire students, especially girls, to pursue design careers. Key Takeaways for Educators Adapt curriculum to student needs and school culture. Pilot new initiatives as clubs first to gauge student interest. Encourage student feedback to refine teaching methods. Be open to change and continuously evolve teaching strategies. The article ultimately encourages educators to embrace creativity, experimentation, and student collaboration in D&T education. We are very proud of our teachers for their continued hard work and dedication for each of their subject areas. Congratulations to Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley for their inspiring article and the incredible work they’ve done to transform Design & Technology at St. Clement Danes! Their dedication to fostering creativity, inclusion, and industry connections is truly commendable, and their impact on students will undoubtedly be long-lasting.