STUDENTS from a academy have been learning first-hand the skills of working with glass and ceramics.

Seventeen students from Year 10 at Castle View Enterprise Academy in Sunderland tested their creative skills in a series of workshops at the National Glass Centre.

The sessions were organised by the London’s Victoria and Albert Museum to support the teaching of art, design and technology in secondary schools as part of its national educational initiative DesignLab Nation.

During their three placements at NGC the students were given hands-on experience in a total of six techniques or skills. These were sandcasting, hot glass, thrown ceramics and slip cast ceramics, flameworking glass and new technology – in this instance, a water jet cutter.

They were then tasked with creating their own six-piece sculpture, each element reflecting the different techniques they studied and also reflecting the principles of Memphis design – an Italian-based movement from the 1980s which often features colourful and abstract decoration and draws its inspiration from Art Deco and Pop Art.

Many of the historical objects the students studied at NGC were loaned by the V&A, complemented by contemporary works from the centre’s own collection.

NGC head of arts, Julia Stephenson, said: “DesignLab Nation is a fantastic project for us to be involved in, at a time when the creative industries are a growing sector and an area for future employment.”

“This has been a fantastic opportunity for the students,” said Keiron Sawkill, head of department for design and technology at Castle View Academy.

“They loved the hands-on practical sessions at NGC and the trip to London to work in the V&A was a great way to end the four weeks. The project tied in with our Design & Technology GCSE curriculum but also gave the students a chance to see how these disciplines could be part of their lives beyond the academy.”

Director of the V&A Tristram Hunt, added: “National Glass Centre has been transformative for Sunderland, strengthening its cultural pride and celebrating the city’s manufacturing heritage as the home of glass-making in Britain.

“So I’m delighted that the V&A is loaning over 20 objects to National Glass Centre to support the teaching of Design and Technology in local schools through our new education programme DesignLab Nation.

“By linking up with regional museums, secondary schools and industry across the country, the V&A is proud to support the wonderful work of local museums and teachers, share our world-class collections and inspire the artists, makers and designers of tomorrow.”