Creative students at The Northern School of Art’s Middlesbrough campus have been praised for their positive attitude to the new way of learning this year.

The timetable of classes for all students returning for the Autumn term combines a mix of face-to-face teaching and studio work with some online learning to help with social distancing and government guidance by reducing the numbers on site at the School’s Green Lane base.

UAL Extended Diploma Textiles lecturer Rebecca Rowe said that textiles students have adapted well.

“They have really risen to the challenge and are making great progress.

“We moved our teaching online learning as soon as lockdown started back in March so we were well set up for the blended model of teaching that’s been introduced this term.

“Happily students are able to be in and working in our fabulous studios on campus more than they are online so they are getting lots of opportunity to develop their practical creative skills.”

The packs of materials given to textiles students have also had extra items added to them, such as needles, to avoid any sharing of equipment.

Second year textiles student Laura McIlveen said: “I think it’s good as we have full days when we are at college to do practical work and then a chance to annotate and stick in the work we’ve done on the other days.”

Another second year textiles student Emily Angel commented: “At the beginning it was strange to get used to the new ways and rules you had to stick to.

“Now a few weeks have gone by and starting a new topic I’m getting the hang of developing my book and experimenting and finishing new ways to push ideas further. The online sessions I think are good because, even though it’s only for an hour or so, our teachers are giving us reminders of what we need to do and new things we could follow up to keep us busy.”

Rebecca Rowe added: “It was a huge challenge to get set up to deliver online learning but it meant that we were able to teach our students right the way through to the summer holidays.

“It has also allowed the students to increase their independent work which is hugely beneficial for them and their progression to university or the workplace.”

Further information about courses at The Northern School of Art’s Middlesbrough campus is available at https://northernart.ac.uk/study-with-us/middlesbrough-campus/a-level-ual-diploma-access-courses/