Stef Plichta – Art teacher since September 2016
Why did you choose to teach at The Studio?
I knew before I even started training as a teacher that I wanted to work here, and the creative faculty was kind enough to give me the opportunity to spend a few weeks volunteering and observing. I really appreciated that courses here are designed to give students a sense of independence, creative thinking, and maturity with a lot of personal support.
What has been your biggest success since starting here?
It has been great seeing this year’s Y 11s develop really unique and interesting projects on the idea of “reinvention”; they continually make me proud and inspired by their creative approaches. It has been really awesome to see the personality of each student come out in their work!
What do you appreciate most about Studio students?
Students here really respond well when they are trusted with coming up with their own ideas to projects- I find that combining enough structure with enough freedom when designing projects really brings out some of the most interesting ideas I have seen from them.
What do you appreciate most about Studio teachers?
The Studio is a school with an idealistic philosophy behind it, and this has attracted teachers who have a strong set of values that reflect that ethos – we are a staff who are very dedicated to our students! Teachers here come from a range of backgrounds – especially in industries, which means that work is often focused towards the wider world, not just in the academic context.
What is unique about The Studio?
I went to high school in the USA, which consisted of seven 45-minute lectures every day of the week. Having longer (and smaller) sessions in which I could choose personal projects and work with peers from a range of backgrounds and interests on creative tasks would have been a dream! We also have many opportunities to work with local and global professional industries, which is a huge perk of our location and our ethos.
What do you think The Studio stands for as a school?
Although the Studio is a relatively young school, we are continually working towards becoming a future-focused school that considers the many societal, cultural, and global changes that are rapidly occurring. We are committed to cultivating creativity and adaptability, which will be an essential need for students as they encounter the wider world beyond school.
Lauren Archer – Creative Media, Graphic Design & Photography Teacher
Why did you choose to teach at The Studio?
I love that the school is small in scale, you can get to know each student personally and build great working relationships. The art department is brilliant and students are achieving such high grades that I wanted to be a part of the success in the faculty.
What has been your biggest success since starting here?
My year 11 Creative Media class achieved really high grades and created some amazing coursework.
What do you appreciate most about Studio students?
They care, they ask you how your day is going and will do anything to help.
What do you appreciate most about Studio teachers?
The support we offer each other, everybody will try to help you if they can and we all care about the students and this is evident in our dedication to the classes we teach.
What is unique about The Studio?
All the students are likeminded and have the same interests. It is fantastic to be part of a community where students are not excluded because of their interests, but celebrated.
What do you think The Studio stands for as a school?The Studio is a place to go where you can achieve in the subjects that you have a true passion for.
Alex Brewster – Curriculum Leader for Creativity
Why did you choose to teach at The Studio?
I was working as a design lecturer in London and came across an article about Studio Schools across the UK. The idea aligned with reforms I wanted to see in Secondary Education and when I discovered that there was a school in my home city of Liverpool I jumped at the chance to apply.
Tell us a little about your role:
As Curriculum Leader for Creativity, this means I look after all of the fun and exciting creative courses we run at The Studio. Currently we offer Fine Art, Graphic Design, Art, Craft & Design, Film, Creative Media, Digital Publishing and Games Design and Development. I get to work with an amazing team of subject specialists who work tirelessly to provide the students with amazing opportunities.
What has been your biggest success since starting here?
As a Faculty we have published fantastic results year-on-year. To see the hard work of the team and our students pay off each results day is incredibly rewarding; particularly when I know the journeys our learners have taken. Beyond results I have been lucky enough to represent the school at Buckingham Palace, at an education conference in Hong Kong and collected our Ashoka Changemaker School Award from an inspiring ceremony in London.
What do you appreciate most about Studio students?
Studio students arrive with a shared idea to change their own experiences of education; I like that my students are engaged, positive and ready to learn.
What do you appreciate most about Studio teachers?
I get to work with a group of people who are the best at what they do and love to innovate in the classroom.
What is unique about The Studio?
We do SO MUCH. We are always looking for ways to make The Studio a forward thinking and innovative educational experience.
What do you think The Studio stands for as a school?
Helping students become the creative and technological leaders of the future. Ideally we want our students to leave with a good set of qualifications, a range of amazing experiences and a sense of purpose to positively change their communities.