Fine Furniture Maker www.finefurnituremaker.com

“This review is in reference to the year long course that costs £18,000. For the first six months you are taught by two part time ex students with no commercial experience. Hardly the highly skilled tutors promised. One teaches in the morning and one in the afternoon. Each of these tutors will be looking after about 10 students so it’s easy to loose momentum. Advice given can also be conflicting and on occasion incorrect.

On many weeks short courses are run at the workshop – when this happens the tutors give their undivided attention to the short course students so it is very difficult to get assistance.

This course is a makers course – there is no design. You will not be armed with any skills that are needed for a viable career in furniture making in the 21st century (e.g CAD, CNC etc…).

This workshop does not seem to make any furniture for clients i.e it is not a working atelier. When I attended there was only one piece made for a client.

The equipment is old and shoddy. Health and safety is virtually non existent i.e The dust extraction is poor, chemicals are mixed in the kitchen, one toilet is shared between all students and staff….

Generally the atmosphere in the workshop is quite low. Interaction is not actively encouraged. Most of the fees are paid upfront, which means if students then find the course disappointing and want to leave – most of the money has already been paid.

The review I have given is very fair. I would suggest that if anyone is considering starting a career in furniture design / making that they look at other courses that offer a better student / teacher ratio, teachers with commercial experience, courses that train CAD and Design – or even try an unpaid apprenticeship !”