A new diploma qualification for students in year 12 called Wearing a Sustainable Life has been launched by two Livery Companies in the City of London and Bradford Grammar School.

The diploma aims to raise the awareness of the rich wool heritage of Bradford and the West Riding of Yorkshire, as well as showcasing new innovative products in fashion, design, medicine and manufacturing which use wool.

It will also identify ways in which wool is a unique and sustainable product which helps in the fight against climate change.

The diploma is a collaboration between Bradford Grammar School and The Worshipful Company of Woolmen and The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers. It has the backing of the Campaign for Wool, whose patron is HRH The Prince of Wales.

It is open to interested students in Year 12 and is based on the completion of an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) with additional elements.

Its scope is wide-ranging and students can base the dissertation element of the EPQ on any wool or textiles-related activity.

Students will attend the annual ‘Making it in Textiles’ industry conference, which will be held either in Bradford or virtually in the autumn of Year 12, complete an EPQ and complete a work experience placement with a relevant company during the scheme.

They will also present at a whole-school assembly on findings from the programme and work on a sustainability project looking at the environmental aspects of the fibre and new textile technologies.

Successful Diploma students will be invited to a graduation ceremony at a lunch or dinner in Bradford or London, held in the autumn term of Year 13.

These students will also be invited to visit Westminster to enable them to make connections between our nation’s wool heritage and history. There is the possibility of combining this visit with the annual London Bridge Sheep Drive.

They will receive a bespoke diploma to be presented at the graduation ceremony, which be endorsed by the Campaign for Wool.

On completion of the diploma, there is the possibility of successful students participating in a visit to the annual Paris Fashion Week.

Sir David Wootton, current Master of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, who attended BGS, said: “This programme is seen as a pilot. If the project proves a success, starting small, we will be looking for ways to work with other schools (Independent, Academies and state schools in the north of England and overseas) where there may be interest in this important and timely curriculum development which combines a focus on wool with a concern for sustainability.”

Wearing a Sustainable Life

UKFT is the Sector Skills Body for fashion and textiles in the UK and is working on a variety of projects to enhance the manufacturing knowledge of students, improve access to training and encourage new entrants to join the industry. Some of these include our MADE IT programme, the UKFT x Drapers Bursary programme, the UKFT Young Textile Technician Fund, and the UKFT Pop-Up Factory and Careers events.

Find out about UKFT’s work in Skills and Manufacturing by clicking the links.