This course is for complete beginners and those with a low level of reading and writing. On this course, you will improve your ability to read and write in a range of different practical contexts. You will learn to read and write messages, read short texts and improve your ability to spell by learning letter sounds and breaking down words. You will also improve your digital skills to help with spelling and writing by using laptops and smartphones.
A series of modular courses which prepare students for the (optional) ABRSM exam; many of those who take the exam pass with distinction. A complete beginner would start at Grade I and could, with tutor guidance and the support of Kodály musicianship exercises, attain the Grade V qualification within 2 years.
For many people improving reading and writing can be difficult. These courses will help you develop these skills, and gain confidence in your speaking. You will also have the opportunity to learn about computers and use them to improve your literacy. We offer specialist support for students with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties. You can take functional skills exams in speaking, reading and writing when you are ready..
On this course, you will improve your spelling, writing, speaking and listening and reading skills. You will learn how to spell and break down words, develop a strategy for spelling, write better sentences and improve your reading skills.
This is the level at which you start to be a competent English speaker and writer. You can now communicate quite easily in your daily life especially in practical issues. But you need to develop your language to talk and write about more complicated subjects and to help you with your work. On this course, you will focus on reading more challenging texts and writing about them. You will learn how to make a presentation, write formally and informally, and by the end of the course you will understand and use accurately the most common English grammar.
For many people improving reading and writing can be difficult. These courses will help you develop these skills, and gain confidence in your speaking and listening. You will also have the opportunity to learn about computers and use them to improve your literacy. We offer specialist support for students with dyslexia and specific learning differences. You can take a variety of exams in speaking and listening, reading and writing when you are ready. These courses are FREE.
Assumes no previous knowledge. Basic spoken Spanish for everyday, routine situations, for pleasure or business, for socialising with first language speakers and for an insight into their way of life.
Do you need to know how to use Computers and IT in your everyday life? Do you feel left behind by your lack of knowledge? This starter qualification is designed for those who have a limited knowledge of using computers and is designed to give you basic skills to help you with work and daily life. To enrol on to this course, you will need to book in and attend one of our Advice and Information sessions. Please email admin@marywardcentre.ac.uk or call 020 7269 6000 to book Wednesday 8th and Monday 13th September in Mary Ward Centre 10.30-3pm Thursday 9th and Friday 17th September in Blackfriars settlement 10.30-3pm There will be regular advice and assessment sessions Wednesdays at Queens Square and Thursday at Blackfriars throughout the year: www.marywardcentre.ac.uk/about/advice-and-support Please note: 5003 is a daytime course, 5002 is an evening course. They will take place at Blackfriars Settlement, Rushworth Street, SE1 0RB.
Professional coaching and rehearsals in preparation for regular public performances (at least 3 a term). Students attend for 2 hours: one hour of which is spent on solo performance and one hour with the whole group learning and performing groups scenas.
Rediscover old favourites and learn new songs. Emphasis is on building confidence and enjoyment. No experience required.
The course will be run via Zoom, please make sure you have installed it in advance of your first class. Il corso è per studenti che vogliono migliorare sia la comunicazione che la comprensione della lingua Italiana e che hanno già raggiunto un appropriato livello di competenza (i.e. CEFR B2 o equivalente). Alla fine del corso riuscirete a esprimere opinioni e ipotesi e a sostenere una conversazione usando una varietà di registri linguistici. Avrete inoltre ampliato il vostro lessico con argomenti riguardanti le arti visive e la letteratura.
Dance to Latin dance rhythms such as Cha Cha Cha, Mambo and Rumba without needing a partner in this Line Dance class with a difference.
Students at this level should be able to understand and communicate effectively unaided on everyday, routine matters but will still have quite a limited range. Emphasis is on developing your vocabulary, accuracy and fluency so that you can express your opinions and follow the gist of popular media.
For those who've had about 50-60 hours instruction, or who have spoken or studied Spanish in the past. Learn how to deal with everyday situations in more detail, how to talk about future plans and past events and get to grips with the structure of the language.
Vous avez une certaine aisance en Francais et/ou avez suivi un cours niveau 3 ou GCSE et vous voulez participer a des activites linguistiques et culturelles.
In his ground-breaking works, Cinema 1: The Movement Image and Cinema 2: The Time Image, Gilles Deleuze intricately explores the symbiotic relationship between philosophy and cinema. According to Deleuze, throughout the twentieth century, both philosophers and filmmakers grappled with the concept of movement - filmmakers materialized it through images, while philosophers crystallized it into thought. Deleuze compellingly posits that the quintessential preoccupation of both philosophers and filmmakers is the enigma of time's movement. The philosophical questions surrounding time's fluidity are pivotal - What does being ensnared in time's flow signify? How can we comprehend this ceaseless movement? Given the transitory nature of the present, what is its true reality? If the present lacks conventional reality, how can the past or future exist, as the former was once present, and the latter is destined to become so? In Deleuze's philosophy of cinema, these questions are far from abstract. They gain tangible significance expressed through the filmmaker's imagery and the philosopher's concepts. This course invites an exploration of these time paradoxes (and many other metaphysical and political questions that follow these paradoxes) as elucidated in Deleuze's Cinema volumes. It will refer to a broad range of cinematic examples, anchoring our philosophical discourse in specific cases.
Students should already be able to understand and communicate effectively on everyday, routine matters. Emphasis is on developing your vocabulary, accuracy and fluency so that you can express your opinions and follow the gist of popular media.
This course is for musicians to work together towards performance standard. Open to violin, viola, cello and double-bass players, working in independent groups of four or more, one player to a part, with coaching from experienced tutors. You may join one or both of the sessions. In Session 2, one of the groups is a larger string orchestra, which works with a conductor. Please attend the first class of term to be grouped appropriately.
This course is for musicians to work together towards performance standard. Open to violin, viola, cello and double-bass players, working in independent groups of four or more, one player to a part, with coaching from experienced tutors. You may join one or both of the sessions. In Session 2, one of the groups is a larger string orchestra, which works with a conductor. Please attend the first class of term to be grouped appropriately.
At this level, you have reached a good level of competency. You have enough vocabulary and grammatical understanding to express yourself in an accurate way. Now it's the time to put the icing on the cake! This course will help you explore meaning, enrich your vocabulary and expression in both formal and informal English and prepare you fully for the demands of work and study.
From Foxtrot to Waltz, Rumba to Jive, this class gives you the opportunity to experience ballroom and Latin dance. Devised for beginners, this course will support you in your first steps giving you the individual attention required within a group setting. No dance experience necessary.
Start your week with a re-boot and re-balance to your body, mind and spirit! Tai Chi and Chi Kung (Qigong) are ancient Chinese martial arts that bring about personal transformation through movement, breath and meditation. Suitable for all levels of experience, the exercises are beneficial for the beginner and will work on a deeper level for those with more experience. The classes are based around gentle, rhythmic movements, that get under the radar to soften, destress and enhance your well-being.
Learn the basics of drawing using various media, building your skills and confidence, in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
A gentle yoga class for those who wish to use their yoga practice to enhance relaxation, mobility and flexibility.
A mixed level life drawing course using short and long poses, focusing on line, light, colour and composition. Explore the numerous differing influences from ancient far eastern to western mainstream.
At this level, you feel quite confident about your English. You can go to shops, travel, have conversations about everyday topics, read simple newspaper articles and write letters and emails. But you still cannot speak or read about anything complicated and you make quite a lot of mistakes. On this course, you will practise your vocabulary and grammar so you can understand people better, talk about most everyday topics, write an interesting letter or email and make fewer mistakes.
This course covers an investigation into some of the perennial thinkers and topics within philosophical aesthetics within the Western tradition: It is structured broadly in two parts, the first looking at the thoughts and theories on art provided within the philosophies of 6 key thinkers within this tradition: Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche and Heidegger; the second on some central issues within contemporary philosophy debates within the philosophy of art, such as the definition of art and artworks, the different art forms, meaning in art, fakes and forgeries, and art criticism and appreciation. In doing so it will not only address the contemporary relevance of the thought of historical thinkers, but will also address some key historical and contemporary philosophy, ranging beyond aesthetics, and touching on the philosophy of language, logic, culture, politics, history, ontology and epistemology.
The course will begin with a consideration of the definitions of 'civilisation,' and will then explore the origins of the city, the state, and of writing, in Egypt between c 3100 BC, and the conquest of the region by the Persian Achaemenid Empire in 525 BC. Themes to be considered will include the changing nature of city life, and of the state; the roles of religion, trade, and warfare; and the emergence of literacy. Much of the course will be based on archaeological evidence, but we will also be looking at translated texts, including poems, short stories, medical treatises, religious and funerary texts.
A gentle class to help calm the mind, improve posture, balance, strength and flexibility. The course includes gentle asanas (postures), breath awareness, concentration/meditation techniques and guided relaxation.
A challenging two-year course qualifying you to practise as a counsellor in an agency. Drawing on Clarksons five-strand model of the therapeutic relationship, the course integrates humanistic, analytic and transpersonal perspectives. Students will be expected to gain 70 hours of personal counselling and to begin a counselling placement. It is possible to pay the fee in instalments. Entry onto the course is by interview, and you must already have a minimum of 180 hours formal counselling training or the equivalent. The next course will start in September 2022. Please contact the department to ask for an application pack, available from May. The fees stated are for the entire two-year course. It is possible to pay the fee in instalments.
Explore each genre through painting and drawing. Anyone who wants to paint and draw one or all of the three subjects: Landscape / Still life / Portrait. This course is suitable for beginners and those who have experience, for those that draw who want to paint and those who paint who lack confidence in drawing. It is a course for those wishing to create a portfolio or have an exhibition.
Create jewellery and small objects using wireworking techniques. Ideal for beginners or those with some jewellery experience wishing to learn a new skill. Come and join us to learn in this supportive and friendly environment.
Learn the tips and tricks you need to creatively recycle your old clothes, or simply alter them to give you an individual look and comfortable fit.
In this course we will work from the model to create portraits imbued with life. We will look at structure and rhythm within the subject and explore various approaches to 'capturing a likeness'. Drawing from examples both ancient and contemporary we will investigate the wide-range of options within portraiture. Suitable for all levels.
Do free markets generate prosperity, and what could the alternatives be? What is money, and where does it come from? Why poverty, and how to fight it? Should we worry about government debt? How much inflation, if any, sustains economic growth? How are interest rates set? What causes wealth inequality, and how detrimental is it to society? What are the competing economic theories that inform governments around the world today? And we'll discuss more issues, as you come up with them. Oh, let's not ignore this one: How much can economies grow on a finite planet?
Acquire a variety of skills and approaches in a supportive and friendly atmosphere. Active participation is encouraged. Beginners and more experienced writers welcome.
For those who have done at least one year of work in a writing group at Level 1 and who are working on their own projects. Looking for more direction and commitment in your writing? These courses address questions of self-discipline and risk-taking and are designed to develop and hone your skills.
Explore some of the most important ideas, themes and thinkers in the history of Western philosophy. Learn about some of the central problems of philosophy, and how to puzzle them our for yourselves.
In the gentle Pilates course we cover a series of gentle exercises and stretches to strengthen the body, improve balance and increase flexibility. Please note, some exercises are mat-based, and therefore carried out on the floor.
It is not uncommon to hear today calls for a defence of and a return to Enlightenment values: but what exactly were they? The flourishing of the natural sciences from the 17th Century onward brought about not just an entirely new conception of the nature of the world but also a radical rethinking of the nature of reason itself, which in turn had profound implications for our understanding of the self and of society. But rather than a celebration of the serene progress of triumphant reason, the Enlightenment itself might be better understood as a series of crises. We will explore the myriad of issues these developments raise through an examination of the great thinkers of the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries.
A practical introduction to abstract art, suitable for beginners and more experienced artists.
Need to know more about Excel but don't know where to start? This first stage course covers Introductory level topics including worksheets and workbooks, calculations, formatting, printing, charts, functions, formulas, cell references, datalists, introduction to macros and program options. This Stage course will cover the more advanced features of Excel- goal seek, what-if analysis, data tables and filters, conditional formula, pivot tables and advanced use of charts. From macros make use of Visual Basic within Excel to build automated and customised solutions.
Is your balance as good as it used to be? Can you still stand on one leg without swaying? What happens when you close your eyes? The gradual loss of our sense of balance can catch us unawares. The aging process, injury and inactivity can all contribute. This course will introduce you to exercise to help you on the path to better balance.
The course will explore the cultural history of Europe and the Mediterranean world from 1920 to 1933, including the rise of Modernism & Futurism in the arts; the birth of psychology and psychotherapy; the Great Depression; the rise of Fascism in Italy, and of Naziism in Germany; the early history of film and radio. Drawing on archaeological evidence, literary texts, architecture and the visual arts, the course will look at the complex and shifting relationships between the present and the past in the definition and transformation of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures and identities.
This is a one year Diploma course, grounded in studio practice and aimed at those considering Higher Education studies in art and design. We are still accepting applications for this academic year. Our Art Foundation offers the chance to gain a BTEC 540 Diploma in Art and Design Practice and focuses on critical awareness, creative abilities, and building practical and theoretical skills. Your hours spent in our well equipped studios will give you the opportunity to experiment widely and take creative risks in order to develop a broad portfolio of work and professional behaviours required for progression. It also provides opportunities to develop art, design and media skills over the course of study through a process of self-direction, reflective practice and communication, which are key skills for progression to higher education and personal development as an artist. These requirements mean that learners develop the transferable and higher-order skills that are demanded by universities and employers. A student loan is available for this course.
This course will give you a broad introduction to the uses and theories of colour and a range of materials, including paint, collage and pastels. Suitable for all levels, a year-long course that can be joined during any term. Tutor Bio: Abigail's practice and approach to Art and Design is wide ranging. Although she has always been a colourist - she trained as a sculptor at Newcastle University in the 1980's before working on private and public realm commissions nationally. Teaching has always been a part of her professional practice and her knowledge and creative use of 2d and 3d materials is inspiring. More recent works and creative practice can be viewed at thamesnarratives@hcommons.org
Explore and experiment with a range of print techniques onto fabrics. Develop print designs from visual research. Print your own fabric and small products: e.g tote bag, scarf, cushion, upcycled garment, T shirt. Develop prints for art textiles. Term 1: Block Print and Dyed Textiles, Term 2: Screen Printed Textiles, Term 3: Mixed Media Textiles.
Learn the basic methods and practices of counselling; the skills which form the basis of the counselling relationship, for use in personal or community situations. The course carries a Certificate of Attendance. Entrance by special application form available in May. Interviews take place in July and September. Right click to choose where you wish to save the application form and brochure: Information Leaflet Application Form
This course focuses on looking at and discussing art in a variety of public art galleries, exhibition spaces, commercial galleries and museums around London. The focus of this course is on Contemporary art; however, sessions sometimes explore art from earlier periods and movements within the 20th century.
A course suitable for those new to life drawing, using short and long poses, experiment with various drawing and painting media while learning traditional skills.
This course aims to provide an overview of the key stylistic developments and innovations in the visual arts from the middle of the 19th century to the present day. The course will look at significant art works within the contexts of culture, religion, technology, social and political developments. Term 1: the Pre-Raphaelites, Victorian painting, Impressionism, Orientalism, Japonism, Pointillism, Symbolism. Post Impressionism and Art Nouveau; Term 2: Fauvism, Expressionism, Futurism, Vorticism, Cubism, Dada, Surrealism, Suprematism and Constructivism, De Stijl, Bauhaus and Social Realism; Term 3: Abstract Expressionism, Neo-Dada and Pop Art, Post-Modernism, Minimalism and alternative cultural perspectives. The course will be run via Zoom, please make sure you have installed in in advance of your first class. If you would like enrol at the concession rate, please request and complete your enrolment by contacting: MWEnquiries@marywardcentre.ac.uk or calling 020 7269 6000 Mon-Fri Your tutor, Dr Theokritos Papadopoulos, is an artist, art history and critical theory lecturer. He completed his MA and PhD at Central Saint Martins looking at the development of the Western Avant-garde and its relationship to trauma. He participated to international conferences and published texts about art, in art theory magazines and Academia.
This Emboidery course has been designed to accommodate absolute beginners and is perfect for those who want to be inspired and get creative. No embroidery skills or experience is needed but basic hand sewing skills would be an advantage.
This course will teach you the essentials of flat pattern cutting such as how to lay a block on paper and to make pattern adaptions to realise your own designs. This course has different elements in each term.
A challenging two-year course qualifying you to practise as a counsellor in an agency. Drawing on Clarkson's five-strand model of the therapeutic relationship, the course integrates humanistic, analytic and transpersonal perspectives. Students will be expected to gain 70 hours of personal counselling and to begin a counselling placement. It is possible to pay the fee in instalments. Entry onto the course is by interview, and you must already have a minimum of 180 hours formal counselling training or the equivalent. The next course will start in September 2022. Please contact the department to ask for an application pack, available from May. The fees stated are for the entire two-year course. It is possible to pay the fee in instalments.
This Hatha yoga class offers the opportunity to de-stress in the middle of your busy day. After a busy morning, an hour of yoga can help to help revitalise you for the rest of the day. The class includes a variety of asanas (postures) to stretch and strengthen your body, as well as a short relaxation and breathing meditation.
AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting Level 2 offers grounding in basic core accounting and finance skills and develops the skills in finance administration. As a standalone qualification, or as a first step towards the intermediate and advanced levels, it will allow you to move up to further study in accountancy and finance. AAT qualifications are recognised and valued by employers as vocational and technical qualifications that prepare students for the world of work and for working specifically in accountancy and finance roles. It can prepare you for junior and entry-level accounting roles. This intensive course will cover 5 modules with exams for each area. The course is blended with Face to face and online teaching. It will run on a Friday from 10-5pm in the classroom and online between 10-2pm on a Saturday. Students will need to commit to all sessions and exams.
This course is designed for learners with no previous knowledge of making jewellery with metal clay. Beginning jewellery makers are welcome as are those with experience with silver clay or other forms of jewellery making. Most important is a desire to learn and make pieces from these materials. There are a number of different metal clays available. On this course we will experiment with copper clay to make jewellery. Metal clays are substantially cheaper than silver clay meaning that you can afford to be more experimental!
For those who have completed a Level 1 Interpreting course. This course is the ideal opportunity for you to develop some of the academic skills that you will need in order to progress onto the Level 3 qualifications in Community Interpreting, whilst also developing your knowledge of interpreting practice and the public services. We will look at how to improve your written expression in academic English and how to carry out research for interpreting assignments effectively. All the academic skills taught on the course will be embedded in the context of increasing your knowledge of Community Interpreting. Entry is by interview only. Please contact the Centre for further information. FAQ
Need to know more about Excel but don't know where to start? This first stage course covers Introductory level topics including worksheets and workbooks, calculations, formatting, printing, charts, functions, formulas, cell references, datalists, introduction to macros and program options. This Stage course will cover the more advanced features of Excel- goal seek, what-if analysis, data tables and filters, conditional formula, pivot tables and advanced use of charts. From macros make use of Visual Basic within Excel to build automated and customised solutions.
Whether writing from life or imagination, a first timer or an old hand, carve yourself a couple of hours writing time each week - no homework, no assignments, just supportive workshops which are designed to crack open the brand new writing in you.
Invent, create, play! This course will allow you to explore sound as an art form using instruments, found objects, voice, recordings and technology. The emphasis will be on exploration and experimentation. You will also learn about the history, key artists and movements associated with sound as an art form. Each term focuses on a different aspect, leading to an individual project and the opportunity to take part in a public event or exhibition.
Are you studying Entry Level ESOL? Do you need help to learn how to use your smartphone or Computer? If you are enrolled on an Entry Level ESOL course with us, you can also join these free courses.
Short stories are read and enjoyed the world over, but what makes for a great story? In this course we shall read and discuss a wide range of classic and contemporary tales from around the globe to discover how different writers have used such techniques as structure, characterisation, theme and image to tell their stories. All texts will be read in translation if the original language is not English.
This course will provide a step by step guide to writing songs and will give you the opportunity to compose your own songs. We will be looking at what makes a good song, with a focus on both music and lyrics. Some musical experience is necessary (tutor can advise before enrolment).
A tutor-guided study group of set works from the Western classical music canon with topics/works to be chosen in consultation with the class.
Ideas and concepts from psychology influence the way we think about and interact with each other in the modern world. What we know today about human minds and behaviour is the result of extensive analysis and research stretching back to the early twentieth century and before. Its contribution to our everyday language and ideas means that a psychological perspective has become central to our thinking. Psychological discoveries shape many of our institutional practices, from criminal justice to educating our children, from managing emotional distress to social inclusiveness in our multicultural society. What is the nature of the psychological research and practice that underpins these ideas? In this course, key studies and clinical practice will be examined, debated and future directions explored. Scientific psychology remains under development it is a debate, not a fait accompli! Join us in contributing to that debate.
Digital Photography in the City is a practical course that combines all the enjoyment of a photo walk with guided tuition. Whether the concrete high walks of the Barbican, the green spaces of city parks or wonderful views of the Thames at night, this course is about gaining practical skills from learning topics on location in London. Be in-spired by the city and see how your creative ideas can take shape from location to photograph.
If you are growing more confident with your camera, let Digital Saturday guide you through the next stages of your photographer journey. This course teaches digital techniques in a way that combines learning more about your camera with learning how to use software in the classroom. You will be introduced to using Adobe Light-room and discover how it can help you to get the most out of each image.
Assumes no previous knowledge. Students learn basic spoken language for everyday, routine situations, for pleasure or business, for socialising with first language speakers and for an insight into their way of life.
This course challenges you to question your old pattern of thinking. Focusing on divergent thinking and stepping outside our usual habits and behaviours. Using a structured approach this course aims to boost your creative skills to increase your creative confidence in idea generation, exploration and development. Creative problem-solving is increasingly recognised as the most sought-after skill in business. Entrepreneurs, employees, managers, and leaders are all required to find valuable opportunities, generate and develop new ideas and then trial and implement innovative solutions. By the end of the course, you will have a broad understanding of the application of creative approaches, processes and tools. You will develop confidence in your creative skills, and in your ability to improve those skills.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 sent shockwaves throughout a world still ravaged by the pandemic. More than a year on, the horrors of war still dominate the front pages of news around the world. A climate of fear and uncertainty dominates world politics as we are constantly reminded of the fear of escalation between major world powers, rising death tolls, human rights concerns and what the outcome of this conflict might mean for global peace and stability. Despite this global attention, there remains a large gulf between opposing camps on how this war is viewed - leading to contrasting and competing national policies. This course aims to explore how the histories of these countries resulted in open conflict, its development since 2014, and a close examination of the motives and intentions of opposing blocs in this war. This course aims to explore and comprehend contrasting views and to what extent they are coloured by historical fact, national security, and political objectives.
Are you ready to take your art to the next level? Then this course is for you. Develop your own practice or prepare a portfolio for Foundation or HND. Some students progress directly to BA and Masters. You will work towards a NCFE Level 2 certificate. Applications are still being taken for this academic year - complete a form (below) and send it to rahul.miah@marywardcentre.ac.uk
If you make your own clothes but struggle a little with new techniques, or maybe you just need to refresh what you already know then the Master Class series is for you.
Want to build up or maintain your strength and flexibility? Using breath, core exercises, yoga poses and stretching we will work on flexibility, and building muscle tone to stretch and strengthen your body. Taught in a friendly and fun environment why not come and give it a try?
Develop your skills in the international style ballroom Tango in this one-off afternoon intensive. Aimed at those who have covered the basics, this class will expand your repertoire of steps and develop technique and confidence in a sociable environment.
This course is for people who can have some conversations and read and write short letters, emails and forms in English, but only at a very simple level. On the course, you will learn more vocabulary and grammar to help you talk, read and write about more interesting things and make fewer mistakes.
If you make your own clothes but struggle a little with new techniques, or maybe you just need to refresh what you already know then the Master Class series is for you.
Discover how to give seated massage of the upper back, shoulders, neck and head to relieve stress and tension. Students are fully clothed and will learn practical skills to treat family and friends.
Assumes no previous knowledge. Basic spoken Italian for everyday, routine situations, for pleasure or business, for socialising with first language speakers and for an insight into their way of life.
Create work inspired by images of a life model. Pursue your own projects, e.g. make a mould, a portrait head, or a carving based on earlier figure studies. If you would like enrol at the concession rate, please request and complete your enrolment by contacting: MWEnquiries@marywardcentre.ac.uk or calling 020 7269 6000 Mon-Fri See the course blog here
For those who have completed an approved level 2 course or its equivalent. The course includes theory, practical skills, personal development work, a compulsory weekend component and a minimum attendance requirement of 80%. The course is validated by ABC, and meets the entry requirements for the Diploma in Counselling. Entry is by written application and group and individual interview. Application forms are available in May. Interviews take place in July and September. Right click to choose where you wish to save the application form and brochure: Information Leaflet Application Form Advanced Learner Loan Information Leaflet
Resin jewellery making is a fun and inexpensive way to be creative. You will learn techniques to add colour and mould your resin into unique shapes that can be made up into basic jewellery pieces.
A famous social anthropologist once described his job as being a sort of cross-cultural private eye, spying into people's cultures instead of their bedrooms! Anthropologists look at very different societies, often finding different solutions to common human problems, for example the problem of how to obtain food or how to raise children, or how to explain sickness or understand what happens after death. Discovering these differences (or similarities) is fascinating and brings us to the essence of Anthropology - it makes us stand back and question our own assumptions. It shows that almost no piece of human behaviour is either natural or 'inevitable'. On this course we will examine some of the ways people think and act in different cultures, including our own.
WordPress is the world's best and most popular website builder and is used to create and set up a site, this course takes you from scratch through the basics, including useful features and tools WordPress offers. Students may be new to WordPress/blogging but will need to already have basic computing skills and experience of using a web browser, internet and email on a PC.
An introduction to ballroom and Latin dance for those who cannot attend a weekly course or who would just like to try the basics. Covering the basic step and a few simple variations in both the Waltz and Cha Cha Cha, this one day course will give you just enough to get you started with social dancing.
Confused about essential oils? This workshop is ideal for anyone wanting to understand what they are, how they work and how to use them safely. This workshop also aims to give you the skills to make some of your own health and beauty products without the use of chemicals to enhance your well-being.
If you make your own clothes but struggle a little with new techniques, or maybe you just need to refresh what you already know then the Master Class series is for you.
This course is designed for beginners and will give you the skills to make simple organic and chemical free soaps. The theme of Christmas will be reflected in the natural aromatic seasonal essences you will be using such as Orange, Cedarwood, Sandalwood and spices such as cinnamon and vanilla and chocolate!
A series of modular courses which prepare students for the (optional) ABRSM exam; many of those who take the exam pass with distinction. A complete beginner would start at Grade I and could, with tutor guidance and the support of Kodály musicianship exercises, attain the Grade V qualification within 2 years.
Learn how to make clothes from commercial patterns. You will construct a toile in calico from a basic skirt/trousers and bodice block to get the perfect fit. You will learn to lay and cut your fabric along with a range of sewing techniques to construct a simple garment of your choice. Term 1 - Ladies skirt/men's trousers. Term 2 - Ladies trousers (men's trousers). Term 3 - Ladies day dress (men's shirt).
One unexpected outcome of the Enlightenment period was the rise of nihilism, a crisis of finding any real meaning in the emerging scientific worldview. The development of the new philosophical movement of phenomenology can be seen as, in part, a response to this crisis. Husserl sought to analyse the role of consciousness in constituting meaning in experience in a way which united our daily experience of the world with the scientific world view. The approach he developed was swiftly challenged in the name of a more embodied and historically situated account of meaning by the work of Heidegger, de Beauvoir, Sartre and Merleau-Ponty. This course will explore how the emergence of phenomenology as a philosophical method came to be inextricably linked to the wider issue of Existentialism as a response to the urgent problems of the 20th Century.
Traditional skills and experimental approaches to working from the life model. Suitable for beginners as well as those with more experience. Each week will explore different themes to give participants a comprehensive set of strategies for working from the model.
Develop your basic spoken Spanish for everyday, routine situations, for pleasure or business, for socialising with first language speakers and for an insight into their way of life.
If you need to be able to make basic use of the MS Office programs Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, then this course will get you started. You may then choose a full course, perhaps in Excel or PowerPoint to extend your skills.
Relaxation exercises, postures and classical Chi Kung Tai Chi movements that strengthen the body, relax the mind and lift the spirit. For newcomers and returning students.
The course will begin with a consideration of the definitions of 'civilisation,' and will then explore the origins of the city, the state, and of writing, in Greece between c 2000 BC, and the conquest of the region by the Roman Empire in 146 BC. Themes to be considered will include the changing nature of city life, and of the state; the roles of religion, trade, and warfare; and the emergence of literacy. The course will draw upon translated texts, including the epic poetry of Homer; the tragedies of Aeschylus, & Euripides; the comedies of Aristophanes & Menander; the histories of Herodotus & Thucydides; and the philosophy of Plato & Aristotle; as well as archaeological evidence.
This nationally recognised qualification is for people who are fluent in English and another language. Applicants must have some experience, paid or unpaid, of interpreting in a public sector context in the UK. Some of this experience should be with people not previously personally known to the applicant. Participants have the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge needed to work as a community interpreter including the role of the interpreter, professional conduct and codes of practice and knowledge of the sectors within which they will be working - Housing, Health, Education, Immigration, Benefits and Social Services. Entry is by written application and interview only. Lower fees may be available for students aged 23 and under. Right click to choose where you wish to save the application form and brochure: Information Flyer Application Form FAQ Advanced Learner Loan Information Leaflet
A course for singers who enjoy singing with others and who are keen to advance their musical ear further. Some previous singing is preferred. The course is suitable for students who have previously attended other courses such Singing for Absolute Beginners or Love to Sing. Come and learn in a friendly and supportive environment.
Learn and develop the skills and techniques for various knitting projects. We will look at both traditional skills and contemporary ideas exploring the usual and unusual aspects of working with yarn. All levels of experience are welcome each term. .
Develop your basic spoken French for everyday, routine situations, for pleasure or businesss, for socialising with first language speakers and for an insight into their way of life.
Practical sessions with an emphasis on building skills, sharing work in a supportive environment.
In the gentle Pilates course we cover a series of gentle exercises and stretches to strengthen the body, improve balance and increase flexibility. Please note, some exercises are mat-based, and therefore carried out on the floor. The course will be run via Zoom, please make sure you have installed it in advance of your first class.
Prices are rising at rates not seen for 40 years. It's not surprising that 'inflation' is back at the top of the political agenda but what should be done about it? This course intends to provide students not with answers - economists notoriously disagree about these - but with tools to think independently about the issues. The focus is not only on what is said in the media but on why pundits are saying it. (As a famous economist has remarked, 'the purpose of studying economics is to learn how to avoid being deceived by economists'.) The course will explore competing economic theories, as well as what exactly we mean by inflation and how we measure it.
Develop your basic spoken Italian for everyday, routine situations, for pleasure or business, for socialising with first language speakers and for an insight into their way of life.
Explore some of the most important ideas, themes, and thinkers in the history of Western philosophy. Learn about some of the central problems of philosophy, and how to puzzle them out for yourselves.
Develop and improve drawing skills and techniques, develop drawing for painting and discover your own drawing style along the way. Tutor bio: Abigail's practice and approach to Art and Design is wide ranging. An early memory (aged 3) is sitting beside her father (also an artist) copying his drawings - she has always been a draughtswomen. Abigail trained as a sculptor at Newcastle University in the 1980's before working on private and public realm commissions nationally. Teaching has always been a part of her professional practice and her knowledge and creative use of 2d and 3d materials is inspiring. More recent works and creative practice can be viewed at thamesnarratives@hcommons.org
The course will explore the cultural history of Europe and the Mediterranean world from 1934 to 1959, including the origins and conduct of the Second World War; the Holocaust; the Marshall Plan; the Cold War; the welfare state; Existentialism, decolonisation, and the early history of television. Drawing on archaeological evidence, literary texts, architecture and the visual arts, the course will look at the complex and shifting relationships between the present and the past in the definition and transformation of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures and identities.
This course aims to develop your understanding of the benefits of 'right brain' approaches to bettering yourself and others. Activating your brain through mental stimulation and activities has been shown to increase vitality and potentially generate new brain cells. This stimulation helps your mind stay sharp. People who do not have enough mental stimulation could be more prone to Alzheimer's disease. Mental exercises that stimulate your brain help to improve cognitive function, reduce anxiety and depression risk, and improve sleep and quality of life. This course will review psychological research into areas such as mindfulness, hypnosis, art therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, to identify if they are effective treatments for addressing many psychological health claims.
Students at this level should be able to understand and communicate effectively unaided on everyday, routine matters but will still have quite a limited range. Emphasis is on developing your vocabulary, accuracy and fluency so that you can express your opinions and follow the gist of popular media.
The course will be run via Zoom, please make sure you have installed in in advance of your first class. For those who've had about 80 hours instruction, or who have spoken or studied Spanish in the past. Learn how to deal with everyday situations in more detail, how to talk about future plans and past events and get to grips with the structure of the language.
Do you need to improve your digital skills to help you in your job or to find work? This qualification is for aimed at students who have good knowledge of using computers. It is designed for to improve your IT skills required for the modern workplace. The course will focus on three key programs used in employment: Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Upon successful completion of four online exams, you receive the BCS Level 2 Award in IT User Skills (ICDL Extra) (ITQ). ( Formally known as ECDL) To enrol on to this course, you will need to book in and attend one of our Advice and Information sessions. Please email admin@marywardcentre.ac.uk or call 020 7269 6000 to book. Wednesday 8th and Monday 13th September in Mary Ward Centre 10.30-3pm Thursday 9th and Friday 17th September in Blackfriars settlement 10.30-3pm There will be regular advice and assessment sessions Wednesdays at Queens Square and Thursday at Blackfriars throughout the year: www.marywardcentre.ac.uk/about/advice-and-support. Please note: 5006 is a daytime course that will take place at The Mary Ward Centre, Queens Square. 5007 is an evening course that will take place at Blackfriars Settlement, Rushworth Street, SE1 0RB. Wednesday 8th and Monday 13th September in Mary Ward Centre 10.30-3pm Thursday 9th and Friday 17th September in Blackfriars settlement 10.30-3pm There will be regular advice and assessment sessions Wednesdays at Queens Square and Thursday at Blackfriars throughout the year: www.marywardcentre.ac.uk/about/advice-and-support Please note: 5006 is a daytime course that will take place at The Mary Ward Centre, Queens Square. 5007 is an evening course that will take place at Blackfriars Settlement, Rushworth Street, SE1 0RB.
This qualification gives students an introduction to the practical elements of financial record keeping, giving the student the necessary skills to record financial transactions in a manual bookkeeping system. The course will involve an introduction to double entry bookkeeping and keeping double entry records, preparing a trial balance and preparing reconciliations. You will also learn the skills needed to carry out a range of basic day-to-day computerised bookkeeping routines and activities, using Sage computerised accounting software. Please click here (Right click to choose where you wish to save it to) to complete a short assessment form and email it to us: Download the form here in word format
This course is for beginners and for those wanting to brush up their IT, English and Math skills. You will learn how to use the keyboard and mouse, work on improving your spelling and reading, use browsers to search for information on websites, work on your basic math skills using websites, games and personal budgeting apps. You will need to come for an assessment before you start. These courses are FREE. The class will take place at Blackfriars Settlement, 1 Rushworth Street, London SE1 ORB.
In two short decades Effective Altruism has transformed from a small club of intellectuals from California and Oxford into a massive social and ethical movement that manages grants and projects worth billions of dollars, has high profile and celebrity adherents, runs yearly conferences attended by hundreds of people, has local branches in several cities worldwide, and is discussed at academic conferences as well is in the popular media. The movement began by people who wanted to reduce suffering in the world by making charities more effective and more rational and measurable. But it has grown into a broader philosophical and social movement garnering critique from outside and internal debates. Regardless, Effective Altruism (EA) has become a major philosophical phenomena of the 21st century that because of the wealth and the influence of people involved has a tremendous impact on global health, environmentalism, technology development and ethics, and ethical discourse more generally. For these reasons, at least, it is worth exploring Effective Altruism.
Suitable for beginners and those who wish to go back to basics. Experience for yourself how yoga can help improve posture, balance, strength and flexibility as well as calm the mind. Enjoy a mixture of basic yoga postures (asanas) to stretch and strengthen the body as well as guided relaxation to further quieten the mind.
The course will be run via Zoom, please make sure you have installed in in advance of your first class. Students should already be able to understand and communicate effectively on everyday, routine matters. Emphasis is on developing your vocabulary, accuracy and fluency so that you can express your opinions and follow the gist of popular media.
The DPSI course is the next stage in professional accreditation as a public service interpreter, following on from the level 3 Certificate course. Successful completion of the exam with Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL) will qualify you to work as an interpreter within legal settings and will give you further professional accreditation in other areas of interpreting. This course will prepare you to take the DPSI exam as an external candidate and will increase your chances of passing these demanding assessments. Entry to the course is by written application and interview. Please see full course description for more details. Application Form Advanced Learner Loan Information Leaflet FAQ
Vous êtes capable de discuter et comprendre de nombreux sujets mais vous voulez le faire avec plus de confiance. Cette classe offre la possibilité de développer vos connaissances culturelles aussi bien que linguistiques. Rejoignez le groupe pour acquérir les connaissances de vocabulaire et de grammaire dont vous avez besoin et découvrir de nouveaux aspects de la France et sa société, son histoire et sa culture.
A course for Creatives to learn how to use Photoshop to produce and manipulate digital illustrations from hand drawn artwork. Students must be comfortable using computers and have some drawing experience. This course is not suitable for those who are not computer literate and is aimed at aspiring artists who would like to develop their knowledge of digital art, taking existing artwork into the digital medium and learning various ways to expand and enhance it.
This course will cover a very old idea that has lost none of its relevance in modern times. The problem of evil is usually understood to be first and foremost a theological matter - how can a good God permit terrible things to happen? Doesn't the existence of evil demonstrate that God does not exist? - but the discussion of evil has in fact taken many forms. This course will examine evil, and its existence (or otherwise), from multiple angles - as a philosophical definition, as a problem for political systems, as a construction of man, and as an aesthetic and psychological concern. In a rational world, what place is there for evil? Why do we persist in using the word even when our metaphysical or religious frameworks for invoking it no longer exist? Philosophers included in the course: Arendt, Augustine, Bataille, Kant, Leibniz, Midgley, Nietzsche, Plantinga, Plotinus, de Sade
A chance to gain understanding of Photoshop. The essential features that you will require for photograph, image and scanned image manipulation. You will learn about image selection tools, blending, modes, layers and layer effects, groups, patterns, styles, vector objects, adding text, clipping, masks and filters, history panel, history brush and snapshots.
This is the course for students wanting an introduction to the software used for graphic illustration and drawing techniques. Widely used in the typesetting and logo graphic areas of design it is a course of special interest to those interested in graphic design, website development or video and animation production. This is an introduction to Adobe Illustrator and is suitable for beginners. The course will cover all the basics of using this vector graphics programmes and will introduce students to the skills that are used for graphic design, typesetting and creative work. If you would like enrol at the concession rate, please request and complete your enrolment by contacting: MWEnquiries@marywardcentre.ac.uk or calling 020 7269 6000 Mon-Fri
This is an in-depth and creative course for students to develop both their camera and edit-ing skills. Each week you will focus on a few topic and the aim is to gain a range of skills and more confidence to make images from street to still life and portraiture. Perfect for Students who have studied on our DSLR Introduction courses.
This course is aimed at students who have begun to master their digital camera and want to learn how to edit the images to get the results you want. Adobe Lightroom is the industry standard application used by photographers to edit images. This intermediate course will take you through digital post-production techniques using Lightroom, from opening images and file organisation to editing and exporting your photos in different formats.
Develop your skills in the ballroom Jive in this one-off afternoon intensive. Aimed at those who have covered the basics, this class will expand your repertoire of steps and develop technique and confidence in a sociable environment.
Tap into your memories, discover and value your true voice. Each class will inspire you with writing exercises, strategies, tips and motivation to help you in your writing life.
Ideal for those who have previously taken the beginners course, or have some experience. Learn more advanced techniques (e.g. finger-picking), as well as trickier chords and melody playing.
If you make your own clothes but struggle a little with new techniques, or maybe you just need to refresh what you already know then the Master Class series is for you.
If you feel you can already effectively use MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) but need to hone your skills for employment this is the course for you. It will not cover the basic features of these programs but will include the more complex everyday tasks required in the working environment.
Develop your skills in the international ballroom and Latin style Rumba and Cha Cha Cha in this one-off afternoon intensive. Aimed at those who have covered the basics, this class will expand your repertoire of steps and develop technique and confidence in a sociable environment.
Do you need to improve your digital skills to help you in your job or to find work? This qualification is for those who have some knowledge of using computers and is designed for to improve your IT skills required for the modern workplace. To enrol on to this course, you will need to book in and attend one of our Advice and Information sessions. Please email admin@marywardcentre.ac.uk or call 020 7269 6000 to book. Wednesday 8th and Monday 13th September in Mary Ward Centre 10.30-3pm Thursday 9th and Friday 17th September in Blackfriars settlement 10.30-3pm There will be regular advice and assessment sessions Wednesdays at Queens Square and Thursday at Blackfriars throughout the year: www.marywardcentre.ac.uk/about/advice-and-support. Please note: 5002 is an evening course. 5003 is during the daytime. Both will take place at Blackfriars Settlement, Rushworth Street, SE1 0RB.
China has changed in scarcely three decades from a poor and overwhelmingly agricultural country to what may already be the largest industrial economy in the world, with the geopolitical significance that that entails. To Western observers this is liable to seem like a sudden rise from backwardness and obscurity. But China's citizens have a different perspective: that their country is on the brink of recovering a status that it held for millenia - that of the world's most technically and culturally sophisticated society, only eclipsed for a few brief centuries following Europe's industrial revolution. But how should these events be explained? To do this we will look at the variety of ways in which economists have accounted for the transition from agriculture to industry, and thus for the fact that China has achieved what countries in Africa and South America have found so much more difficult.
Do you need to improve your digital skills to help you in your job or to find work? This qualification is for aimed at students who have some knowledge of using computers. It is designed for to improve your IT skills required for the modern workplace. The course will focus on three key programs used in employment: Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Upon successful completion of three online exams, you receive the BCS Level 1 Award in IT User Skills (ICDL Essentials) (ITQ). ( Formally known as ECDL) To enrol on to this course, you will need to book in and attend one of our Advice and Information sessions. Please email admin@marywardcentre.ac.uk or call 020 7269 6000 to book Wednesday 8th and Monday 13th September in Mary Ward Centre 10.30-3pm Thursday 9th and Friday 17th September in Blackfriars settlement 10.30-3pm There will be regular advice and assessment sessions Wednesdays at Queens Square and Thursday at Blackfriars throughout the year: www.marywardcentre.ac.uk/about/advice-and-support This is very close to Southwark station and a 10 minute walk from Waterloo station.
If you make your own clothes but struggle a little with new techniques, or maybe you just need to refresh what you already know then the Master Class series is for you.
If you make your own clothes but struggle a little with new techniques, or maybe you just need to refresh what you already know then the Master Class series is for you.
This course is designed for beginners and will give you the skills to make simple organic and chemical free soaps. We will use melt and pour soap bases and additional natural ingredients such as essential oils, base oils and natural colours including dried vegetable powders and mica minerals to create skin-friendly soaps for everyday use. Students will work in pairs and each pair will create unique blends. Please note: Some of the soap bases used will include honey or goat milk.
Develop your skills in the Waltz in this one-off afternoon intensive. Aimed at those who have covered the basics, this class will expand your repertoire of steps and develop technique and confidence in a sociable environment.
This is a fun, welcoming and explorative class in which you will have the freedom to investigate and develop ideas. Use scrap, found, traditional and alternative materials to explore sculptural methods and concepts. This course encourages you to enjoy using materials and the process of 'making', so ideal for beginners or students with more experience.
A series of modular courses which prepare students for the (optional) ABRSM exam; many of those who take the exam pass with distinction. A complete beginner would start at Grade I and could, with tutor guidance and the support of Kodály musicianship exercises, attain the Grade V qualification within 2 years.
Develop your skills in your favourite ballroom and Latin American dances such as the Waltz, Tango, Cha Cha Cha and Jive. Aimed at those who have covered the basics, this class will expand your repertoire of steps and develop technique and confidence in a sociable environment.
Learn the basic techniques of fusing and slumping glass. Suitable for beginners.
This course is suitable for those with some glass experience who want to develop their skills in glass fusing. Aimed at develop ideas and learning new skills. Students should be able to cut glass confidently and the course will also include some design work and technical note keeping.
Stage 2 is planned for those who either attended the first stage or have previous experience. Learn more advanced areas of this software used for graphic illustration, drawing, typesetting and logo graphic areas of design. It is a course of special interest to those interested in graphic design, website development or video and animation production.
Philosophy in the second half of the 20th century was faced with the demands of formulating an adequate response to the world after the second world war: the rise of different forms of totalitarianism, the horrors of the war itself and the role of technology in bringing this about became urgent issues. We will examine two forms of response to this situation. Firstly, we will examine how Critical Theory attempted to explain and move beyond the social contradictions that had been laid bare during this period. Following on from this, the question of the place of language in our relations with the world came to a central focus of attention, giving birth to the ideas of structuralism and post-structuralism. In this part of the course we will engage with the work of Lacan, Derrida, Foucault and Deleuze.
This course focuses on illustration projects that are suitable for all levels, including those looking to build a portfolio or move into a career in illustration. The course will help you to develop the skills required to illustrate a range of projects from editorial, narrative and design based illustration.
This intermediate Photoshop course will build on the beginner's course and cover more advanced topics including channels, paths, tools e.g. extract, liquify and customised brushes.
A practical course for beginners and experienced artists aimed at those who want to explore the creative possibilities of collage, experiment with mixed media (paint, print, 3D, relief, found objects, etc) and make use of unexpected materials and techniques.
Do you need to improve your maths to help you in your daily life, with work or your studies? Do you need to increase your confidence with maths? Do you need to work towards a GCSE? These courses will help you gain essential mathematical skills and also enable you to get a qualification. The afternoon classes are more suited to students who want to learn at a slower pace. In the evening classes you will work towards Functional Skills Level 2. You will need to come for an assessment before you start. These courses are free.
This level is for people who can speak, read and write a few words in English but nothing more! On the course, you will learn a lot of new words and simple grammar to help you ask and answer questions, talk and write about yourself, family and friends, and read some letters, emails and forms.
Further develop your basic spoken Spanish for everyday, routine situations, for pleasure or business, for socialising with first language speakers and for an insight into their way of life.
Get creative with this enjoyable, experimental and imaginative sculpture course where you will learn a broad range of techniques to realise your project. Work with Ceramics, Wirework, Metal, Wood and Found Objects. Work independently or follow set projects. Whether a beginner or experienced come and enjoy the process of making.
Building upon the predictions concerning the ramifications of human activity on earth's resources, a pertinent question emerges: Can philosophy play any role in navigating this predicament? This course aspires to conjure such an intervention and sheds light on the intertwining of philosophy with the human relation to the Earth, a concern extending beyond the realms of present-day debates. Indeed, it reveals a deep-seated enigma that has been a constant companion of Western philosophy since its very dawn - what is the nature of the bond between thought and the Earth? Through an exhaustive exploration emphasising the Earth's enduring, yet often enigmatic, presence across the trajectory of philosophical debate, this course lays the foundation for a philosophical retort to the looming ecological reality. The course will traverse key philosophical texts, commencing with the pre-Socratic philosophers and the Stoics, and continuing through Plato and Aristotle; progressing to philosophers of the enlightenment such as Descartes, Leibniz, Hobbes, Rousseau, and Kant; and concluding with 19th and 20th-century thinkers like Nietzsche, Marx, Heidegger, and Deleuze. Together, we will asses how the history of the concept 'Earth' has shaped our relation to the natural world, and the possibility of forging a new perspective, one which could pave the way towards a revitalized relationship with our environment, ultimately crafting a different future trajectory.
The course will begin with a consideration of the definitions of 'civilisation,' and will then explore the origins of the city, the state, and of writing, in Persia (Iran) between c 3500 BC, and the conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great, in 331 BC. Themes to be considered will include the changing nature of city life, and of the state; the roles of religion, trade, warfare, and the emergence of literacy. Much of the course will be based on archaeological evidence, but we will also be looking at translated inscriptions, and bureaucratic texts. We will move on to look at the interactions between the Persian Empire and the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece.
Alfred Hitchcock is perhaps most famous director of all time. While audiences loved the thrills, glamour and humour of his films, French critics and directors regarded him as a leading 'auteur', theoreticians discussed ways in which his work illustrated key concepts such as the 'male gaze', and biographers debated the personal sources of the darker side of a body of work that remains endlessly influential, with Sight and Sound proclaiming Vertigo the greatest film of all time in 2012. This course explores a range of approaches to a selection of Hitchcock's most important films.
Choose to work on a full figure or portrait in terracotta, direct plaster or other processes
This course is suitable for anyone interested in learning to make stained glass or mosaic. It is both a practical introduction for the complete beginner with no previous skills, and also provides an opportunity for those with more experience to develop and experiment in both fields, using a variety of materials. Learn mosaic, appliqué, copper foiling and leading techniques to apply to personal projects in an experimental and creative way.
A beginners course in pilates introducing the fundamental principles, incorporating breath, whole body movement and stretch. We will learn fundamental pilates exercises and how to use them to improve posture, balance, body alignment and better movement patterns. The course will be run via Zoom, please make sure you have installed it in advance of your first class.
Learn the craft of patchwork and quilting through making samples and completing personal projects including both hand and machine stitching. All levels of experience are welcome for each term. Term1: Traditional and contemporary patchwork and quilting techniques. Term 2: Using appliqué in patchwork and quilting, Term 3: Using stitch and embellishment for patchwork and quilting.
Work from the model and concentrate on a portrait head or full figure sculpture. You will be able to learn all processes to complete two pieces per term including preparation for firing and finishing techniques.
The course is for students who have no previous knowledge or experience of kiln fired glass painting or glass working skills. Although it is not necessary, good practical skills would be an advantage. Experienced students are also welcome if they have a particular project or technique/approach they would like to explore or develop further. Build your skills and learn new techniques in stained glass and painted glass. Develop your own ideas, designs and projects. Painted glass will be kiln-fired.
Do you need to improve your maths to help you in your daily life, with work or your studies? Do you need to increase your confidence with maths? Do you need to work towards a GCSE? These courses will help you gain essential mathematical skills and also enable you to get a qualification. The afternoon classes are more suited to students who want to learn at a slower pace. In the evening classes you will work towards Functional Skills Level 1 and 2. You will need to come for an assessment before you start. These courses are free.
Do you have a mobile device (tablet or smartphone) but are not making the most of it? Or are you thinking of buying one but dont know where to start? Come along to this workshop class where you can learn about android versus apple, apps, podcasts, watching TV and films and much more. Bring your own device or practise with one of ours.
Do you own a computer or laptop and can't use it? Do you need help to get started? This short course is a chance to demystify the computer in a friendly and supportive environment. Learn how to open files, save files, then how to do basic word processing and use the internet. Please come to one of our regular Assessment sessions on a Thursday or Friday morning to join this class.
Do you need to improve your maths to help you in your daily life, with work or your studies? Do you need to increase your confidence with maths? Do you need to work towards a GCSE? These courses will help you gain essential mathematical skills and also enable you to get a qualification. You will need to come for an assessment before you start. These courses are free.
Explore portraiture working from the clothed figure. The course is for students interested in portraiture and in learning the subtle art of drawing and painting people. The aim is to draw and paint portrait, with students working from the model, drawings and photographs.
This singing class is for those who want an introduction to singing. Perfect for those who sing in the bath or who have just started to find their own voice. Learn to enjoy singing in a group context, and develop a solid singing technique. No previous singing necessary, just a desire to learn more. Tutor Bio: Cecilia Forssberg grew up in Stockholm, Sweden where she attended one of Sweden's finest music colleges, Stockholms Musik Gymnaisum, specialising in choral singing. Before moving to London she spent many years working at youth camps, working with young people and setting up theatre and music productions. Cecilia has been teaching at Mary Ward since 2018 and runs a variety of music groups and classes for the college.
Further develop your basic spoken French for everyday, routine situations, for pleasure or business, for socialising with first language speakers and for an insight into their way of life.
Suitable for any level of experience. Explore a range of materials and techniques through which to develop ideas.
For most of recorded history contemporary thinkers have regarded the idea of human equality as either nonsensical, undesirable or impossible. But by the middle of the 19th century Marx could assert that this notion had 'already acquired the fixity of a popular prejudice'. Notwithstanding this claim, it is clear that inequality in the distribution of society's benefits not only persists but has recently been growing. Indeed, some would argue that without some measure of inequality society would have no drive towards innovation and economic growth. This course interrogates the meaning of this 'popular prejudice' and examines what considerations of principle or expediency might justify either equality or inequality.
A lively choir singing a wide range of music, much of it acappella. Students need to be able to read music. The aim is for students to enjoy choral music and occasional concerts are given. Please see our website for more information: www.marywardsingers.org.uk
Further develop your basic spoken Italian for everyday, routine situations, for pleasure or business, for socialising with first language speakers and for an insight into their way of life.
This course covers manual and computerised payroll processing. The IAB Level 2 Certificate in Payroll is specifically designed to appeal to those who are aspiring to become professional payroll administrators for a variety of businesses. The Level 2 qualification is primarily designed for those who: have achieved the IAB Level 1 Award in Payroll, have some previous general knowledge of payroll procedures now wish to increase their skills and knowledge to that required of payroll processors prior to employment have previously worked in payroll and have not received a qualification. wish to return to working in payroll and need to update their knowledge. Please click here (Right click to choose where you wish to save it to) to complete a short assessment form and email it to us: Download the form here in word format
For those with some experience of printmaking who want to develop their skills and ideas. The course suits a range of abilities, including adventurous beginners.
Learn about a range of print processes including linocuts, Collographs, monoprints and drypoint. Develop ideas though guided projects. All abilities welcome. It is suitable for those with some experience of printmaking who want to develop their skills and ideas as well as those with no previous printmaking experience. Tutor Bio: Linda Newcombe is an artist, printmaker and illustrator. She gained a Degree at Central St Martins in the 90s and a Masters at Falmouth University in 2018. Her specialism is printmaking and she uses it as a basis for all of her work. Linda has taught in colleges and universities for over 20 years and started teaching the printmaking courses at Mary Ward in 2013.
Explore some of the most important ideas, themes and thinkers in the history of Western philosophy. Learn about some of the central problems of philosophy, and how to puzzle them out for yourselves.
Try out Photoshop for images, Illustrator for design, Dreamweaver for websites, InDesign for desktop publishing and PowerPoint for presentations. Take a short tour of each of the digital media programs that appear in this section. Find out what they do and who uses them so you can choose which ones suit your needs for employment or personal use and progress to specialist courses.
Do you need to improve your maths to help you in your daily life, with work or your studies? Do you need to increase your confidence with maths? Do you need to work towards a GCSE? These courses will help you gain essential mathematical skills and also enable you to get a qualification. You will need to come for an assessment before you start. These courses are free.
For those who have done at least one year of work in a writing group at Level 1 and who are working on their own projects. Looking for more direction and commitment in your writing? These courses address questions of self-discipline and risk-taking and are designed to develop and hone your skills.
Learn and develop the techniques needed to realise your own glass art and glass jewellery projects.
A gentle class to help calm the mind, improve posture, balance, strength and flexibility. The course includes gentle asanas (postures), breath awareness, concentration/meditation techniques and guided relaxation.
A project-based workshop providing an opportunity for beginners and more experienced artists to develop their work around themes e.g. working from life or still-life.
Are you looking for work but lacking skills to write your CV, search for jobs and fill in online forms? Digital skills for Job seekers is a new course. It will cover important digital skills to help you find and apply for job or work experience opportunities. You'll learn strategies in how to search and apply for jobs online as well as develop your general IT skills.
The course will explore the cultural history of Europe and the Mediterranean world from 1960 to 2000, including feminism and the sexual revolution; the birth of Israel; the break-up of the Soviet Union; the realignment of eastern Europe; and the idea of European Union. Drawing on archaeological evidence, literary texts, architecture and the visual arts, the course will look at the complex and shifting relationships between the present and the past in the definition and transformation of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures and identities.
Brain function and behaviour differences are part of normal variations in the human population. This course introduces the premise of neurodiversity to discover how individuals with Autism, ADHD or specific learning disorders (dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia) experience, interact with and interpret the world in unique ways. This course examines neurodiversity both talents and challenges and asks if these variations are advantageous or disabling.
We will explore the themes of poverty, politics, gender and ethnicity in London at the end of the 19th century/start of the 20th century through the eyes of writers of fiction, but also through the testimony of their non-fiction contemporaries - social investigators, government officials, journalists and philanthropists.
Beautiful, evocative music and dances from many world cultures. Good for co-ordination, uplifting and fun.
Use simple, fun techniques, and gain skills and confidence in a range of materials while developing a personal style. This course is not suitable for absolute beginners as much of the work is advanced, experimental and/or relates to exhibitions visited by the class. There are many other painting and drawing classes at the Mary Ward Centre or Blackfriars Centre which would be more suitable.
For those who've had about 100 hours instruction, or who have spoken or studied Spanish in the past. Learn how to deal with everyday situations in more detail, how to talk about future plans and past events and get to grips with the structure of the language.
Students at this level should be able to understand and communicate effectively unaided on everyday, routine matters but will still have quite a limited range. Emphasis is on developing your vocabulary, accuracy and fluency so that you can express your opinions and follow the gist of popular media.
The course covers manual and computerised payroll. It is the starting point for those wishing to create and maintain a payroll. It covers payroll preparation, generating an employee record, making gross pay calculations, payroll processing and processing leavers. It also introduces the use of SAGE for computerised payroll administration. Successful students will receive an IAB qualification. Please click here (Right click to choose where you wish to save it to) to complete a short assessment form and email it to us: Download the form here in word format
Learn a range of techniques and processes for creating enamelled jewellery and other small objects. Students will learn a range of enamelling techniques and how to prepare metal for enamelling. Students will learn several different surface texturing techniques such as hammer texture, use of rolling mills and the use of pendant drill to texture and drill. All levels welcome - suitable for complete beginners.
Explore a wide range of traditional and less conventional techniques and materials. The course aims to promote a multi-media approach with an opportunity to explore many different materials and concepts of sculpture. There is an opportunity to experiment with constructions in paper, card, wood and paper-mache, and to model in clay or wax.
Create work inspired by images of a life model. Pursue your own projects, e.g. make a mould, a portrait head, or a carving based on earlier figure studies.
A general course in Pilates, suitable for beginners as well as those with more experience, incorporating breath, whole-body movement and stretch. We will learn fundamental Pilates exercises and how to use them to improve posture, strength, balance, body alignment and movement patterns.
This course will explore the intense political and religious strife in England that began with Henry VII's break with Rome and continued until the Glorious Revolution. The Reformation politicised religion, pitting Catholics against Protestants. This course will examine important themes of the turmoil, such as the ways in which royal authority was contested; plots and conspiracies; rebellions; and the circulation of news and false news. This is an interdisciplinary course that will blend political, social, and cultural history, and the history of ideas, and the history of the book. We will assess lots of primary sources, including printed texts and images, paintings, and coins.
Are you in work but looking to enhance your digital literacy skills for the workplace environment? Digital Skills for Work is a new course. It will improve your understanding of IT and help you progress into a work role where digital skills are required. You'll learn strategies in how to identify what skills you need as well as develop your general IT skills.
French philosopher Alain Badiou is often recognized as the last living torchbearer of the influential 'May 68' generation that boasted figures like Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, and Jacques Derrida. Badiou's comprehensive philosophical interventions are highlighted by his magnum opus, Being and Event, a masterpiece that beautifully encapsulates and undermines the essence of French continental philosophy. Being and Event uniquely merges set theoretic mathematics with Lacanian psychoanalysis, interwoven with the sensitivity of Mallarmé's poetry and the intensity of post-Marxist political thought. Badiou's work, rich in depth and diversity, has sparked significant conversations and critical thinking in the philosophical community. This course offers a deep dive into Badiou's intellectual ecosystem, exploring the intricate intersections of diverging ideologies and thought systems converging in his work, focusing particularly on Being and Event and subsequent texts. We will also investigate his significant influence on leading contemporary philosophers, such as the provocative Slavoj iek, the insightful Bruno Bosteels, and the innovative Quentin Meillassoux. The impact of Badiou's thinking extends beyond his own work, creating ripples that continue to shape 21st century philosophical discourse.
This history course will explore key aspects of the intense political, cultural, religious, and intellectual changes that formed the backbone of the Enlightenment in Britain and France. When we think of the Enlightenment, it's very usual for the great French thinkers Voltaire and Rousseau to quickly come to mind, and we will study some of their important works. But the historian Roy Porter argued convincingly that the origins of the Enlightenment are to be found in the coffee houses of London during the second half of the 17th century, and so this is where our course will begin. We will address key questions including what exactly was the Enlightenment, and how was it understood by contemporaries? What are the different ways in which scholars have understood the Enlightenment since the 18th century? And who exactly was enlightened? How important were science, the arts, and the book trade to the process of enlightenment? Who was antagonistic towards the Enlightenment and why? How much of a threat was the new intellectual world to the governments of the day? We will utilise historical texts and images, including works by Swift, Defoe, and Hogarth, as well as reading a wide range of works by historians.
Students should already be able to understand and communicate effectively on everyday, routine matters. Emphasis is on developing your vocabulary, accuracy and fluency so that you can express your opinions and follow the gist of popular media.
This ten-week course will introduce you to the technical details of your digital camera so you can use it more confidently and creatively. It is for complete beginners or for those who are struggling to move beyond using their camera in fully automatic mode. Learn about aperture, shutter speed and how to control the exposure triangle, field of view, depth of field and get ready to use your camera with semi-automatic and manual settings.
Vous êtes capable de discuter et comprendre de nombreux sujets mais vous voulez le faire avec plus de confiance. Cette classe offre la possibilité de développer vos connaissances culturelles aussi bien que linguistiques. Rejoignez le groupe pour acquérir les connaissances de vocabulaire et de grammaire dont vous avez besoin et découvrir de nouveaux aspects de la France et sa société, son histoire et sa culture.
If you feel you can already effectively use MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) but need to hone your skills for employment this is the course for you. It will not cover the basic features of these programs but will include the more complex everyday tasks required in the working environment. Students will need to be sure of their level of computer knowledge before enrolling on this course. Please ask for advice if you are unsure.
The 'Silver Jewellery Workshop' provides an opportunity for students of all levels to come along to create their own jewellery under the tuition of experienced jeweller Sally Lees. Students will benefit from Sally's extensive knowledge of jewellery making including her skills in jewellery making techniques using aluminium, silver, brass and copper to complete projects and start new ones. Students can bring their own silver or use the silver making techniques on copper or brass that is provided. Advanced students can bring their projects from previous classes to complete with close guidance and advice.
This course is designed to introduce artists and designers to the technical and creative use of a digital camera or device to help promote their work. You will learn how to take basic images and then how to format them for use on different platforms. Bring your camera to each session or if you do not have your own the college has a limited number of cameras but you will need to book one.
This course focuses on getting out and about while developing an exciting and original sketchbook by drawing in a variety of inside & outside locations in a friendly, fun & supportive environment. In Term 2 the course will focus on interior environments. Each term the first session is held at the college.
These courses provide an opportunity to learn different techniques that you will need to create a variety of jewellery items in copper (provided), or with recycled jewellery and found objects (you can bring along). They are ideal for students of all levels - more advanced students who join a course will be able to complete their own projects.
A beginners course in pilates introducing the fundamental principles, incorporating breath, whole body movement and stretch. We will learn fundamental pilates exercises and how to use them to improve posture, balance, body alignment and better movement patterns.
Maybe you are not from the UK and would like to understand the way money works in Britain, or you might just want to feel more confident with managing your money. Find out more about how banks work, the benefit system, paying your bills and setting a budget for you and your family.
A general introduction to different schools of counselling, for example, Psychodynamic, Humanistic and Person-Centred. This course is designed for those with a broad interest in the subject, and for those considering having counselling or becoming a counsellor. It is not part of formal counselling training.
Ideal for complete beginners. Learn to strum a tune in your first session and build confidence and skills throughout the course. You will need your own instrument - tutor advice available, see full course description for details.
A relaxed and fun space for all lovers of singing who want to explore group singing, build harmonies and re-discover the joy of vocal music. Varied grooves and contrasting styles and genres will be covered. Beginners welcome.
This course gives you the knowledge to really understand how to create a healthy diet for you and your family. Discover how food affects us and how what you eat can improve or damage your health. Understand food labelling, which fats you should be eating, the role of vitamins and minerals in the body and so much more.
Ideal for complete beginners. Learn to strum a tune in your first session and build confidence and skills throughout the course. You will need your own instrument - tutor advice available, see full course description for details.
This Guitar course is ideal for students who have previously taken the beginners course, or have some experience. Learn more advanced techniques (e.g. finger-picking), as well as trickier chords and melody playing.
This popular desktop publishing program is used commercially to produce posters, flyers, and brochures and has the capabilities for full magazine or book production. The course starts by covering the basic features of the program e.g. managing the work area, setting up documents, frames, importing & exporting text, typography and colour. It then continues on to the more complex features of the program e.g. styles, process colours, effects, and how to create an interactive document.
Spend a day getting to know the sewing machine and how to use it more effectively. Once you have completed this course you can sign up to one of our longer sewing courses to develop your skills.
No partner required for this fun and lively class, dancing solo versions of swing and jive steps to some of the greatest music of the 20th century. From the original 1930's Lindy Hop through the 1950's Rock 'n' Roll to the upbeat 'Strictly'-style Jive, learn the steps and enjoy the music in group dances designed to be performed without a partner.
An introduction to the work of a community interpreter and advice on gaining essential voluntary experience to enable progression to higher level courses. This course is suitable for those with little or no interpreting experience or who wish to find out more about this area of work. Entry is by written application and interview only. Right click to choose where you wish to save the application form and brochure: Information Leaflet Application Form FAQ
If you make your own clothes but struggle a little with new techniques, or maybe you just need to refresh what you already know then the Master Class series is for you.
Responding to the global financial crisis of 2007-8 and the austerity policies that followed, the Occupy movement focussed attention on social inequality with the slogan 'We are the 99%'. This implied a clash between the wealth and interests of a tiny elite and the experiences of the average member of society. But is this 99:1 split a useful or appropriate measure of inequality? And can we give a precise meaning to the notion of the 'average' person? This course explores a variety of ways in which social scientists have tried to answer these questions through numerical measures of the size and extent of inequality. As will be shown, these proposed answers are not solely neutral technicalities but have potential political and social implications.
Explore and experiment with a range of ceramic techniques specifically for sculpture such as using pottery wheels, slip casting, slab building, coiling, press moulding and simple glazing.
Explore a range of techniques working with silver clay, and learn how to shape, refine and complete your own unique silver jewellery pieces. Ideal for beginners and those with some jewellery experience wishing to learn a new skill.
Develop your skills in the Slow Foxtrot in this one-off afternoon intensive. Aimed at those who have covered the basics, this class will expand your repertoire of steps and develop technique and confidence in a sociable environment.
If you make your own clothes but struggle a little with new techniques, or maybe you just need to refresh what you already know then the Master Class series is for you.
If you make your own clothes but struggle a little with new techniques, or maybe you just need to refresh what you already know then the Master Class series is for you.
If you would like to get started with a sewing machine but don't know where to start, this is the course for you. Come and learn the basics of a sewing machine to enable you to take on your own projects: how to thread the machine, wind the bobbin, basic settings, and basic trouble shooting.