The Art department was buzzing on Friday afternoon here at Wey Valley Academy. Professor Emerita Rachel Worth visited to facilitate a workshop titled 'The Fabric Of Our Lives: Why Clothes Matter'. Rachel is a social historian, teacher, dressmaker and artist. Rachel studied history at Cambridge and for her MA and later PhD at Courtauld Institute of Art. Her books include Clothing and Landscape in Victorian England: Working -Class Dress and Rural Life. Her latest book is called The Hidden Life of Clothing: Historical Perspectives on Fashion and Sustainability.

The students were given tasks during the session and the questions around career opportunities were illuminating. One student asked 'where can I study fashion after school please - I want to be a fashion designer and create clothing'. Mr Chutter, Head of Performing Arts, said 'my thanks to Professor Worth for considering the ethical aspects of clothing alongside sustainability and the natural world and the environment - the session was highly innovative and fascinating for our students here at Wey Valley - this was such a great opportunity and we look forward to inviting Professor Worth back to Wey Valley in the future'.