A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION

FAQs

If you can’t find an answer to your question or require further clarification please contact us.

When Was The School Founded?

Anselm Fraser founded the school in 1985. After 34 years at the helm as Principal, he handed over the running of the school to his son, Tom Fraser, in 2019.

What Qualification Will I Obtain?

The Chippendale International School of Furniture Certificate, which is recognised worldwide.

The Chippendale School of Furniture Award, which is accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority at SCQF Level 8 (NQF Level 5).

The School is a Scottish Qualifications Authority Approved Centre No. 3008002 and is accredited by Education Scotland.

Studying for the Chippendale School of Furniture Award is required by the UK Home Office for all students coming from outside the UK.

The content of this award mirrors the syllabus in term 1, covering a wide range of skills including design, costing, production planning and finishing. The qualification is also open to UK students and upon completion, students receive the certificate, whilst banking a wide range of fundamental skills.

Do I need woodworking experience to apply?

No, many of our courses are designed for novices and those with little experience.

Do you offer early bird discounts for the Professional course?

Yes, we offer 3 sets of early bird discounts to students that fully register before the end of October/November/January, prior to the course starting. More information on this will be shared following an initial enquiry.

How can I get to the school?

The easiest way to get to the Chippendale school is by car or bicycle during the summer months. There is also a local bus that stops off just outside the school gates (Bus Number 123), however, to get on again, you would need to travel down to the local village of Gifford which is a 15-minute walk from the school. Local buses run from Haddington to the centre of Edinburgh, with a journey time of around 1-hour one way. Longniddry is the school’s closest train station which has regular trains to and from the centre of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Airport is located to the West of Edinburgh and is 1-hour drive away.

Can I book a visit?

Yes, we strongly encourage prospective students of the 30-week Professional course to visit the workshop if possible.

Do you do video calls for overseas students?

Yes, we can arrange a video call with the Principal. This is mainly for prospective 30-week Professional course students.

Can you send me a prospectus?

Yes, we can send it to you via email upon request. Alternatively, you can download a Prospectus directly from our website here.

Do you have a newsletter I can sign up for?

Yes, we issue a monthly newsletter to all our subscribers. To sign up, simply click here.

Do you accept international students?

Yes, we welcome students from all over the world to our school

What accommodation is available for students from outside of Scotland?

We assist students across all courses in finding suitable accommodation in the local area. It should be noted that rent is in addition to the course fees and the school is only responsible for connecting students with accommodation providers – any subsequent interaction is between the student and the landlord.

When is the workshop open?

The workshop is open from 8am – 8pm on weekdays. Tuition is from 9am – 4.30pm (at which point the machine shops are closed)

Do I need to pay for materials & tools?

Within reason, materials are covered by the course fees, across all of our courses. All tools are provided by the school, across all courses, apart from the optional carving week for the 30-week Professional course students (a set of carving chisels is required).

Can you work whilst doing the 30-week Professional course?

Our 30 week Professional course is full time. You will learn in an intensive environment from 9 am – 4.30 pm. Due to the physical nature of this craft, students neither have the energy nor the time to work on weekends or evenings. For international students, there are also added limitations to working on student VISA.

ARRANGE A VISIT

If you are looking to embark on a career change or you have an interest in the art of woodworking and furniture design, get in touch and arrange in a visit.

GET IN TOUCH

Find Out More About Our Courses

30 WEEK COURSE

This course prepares you for a career in fine furniture design. It provides an intensive curriculum and personalised instruction, surpassing other international courses in the field.

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4 WEEK COURSE

Our 4-week intermediate course will elevate your woodworking skills. Ideal for hobbyists, no experience is needed.

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1 WEEK COURSES

Ideal for beginners, the 1-week course offers year-round instruction, covering various skills and techniques. Delivered Monday to Friday.

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WEEKEND COURSES

Weekend courses provide an accessible route into woodworking focusing on woodturning, lathe work and various techniques to create projects like stools and bowls.

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