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UK Fashion Retail Academy

Philip Green, on behalf of Arcadia, and Secretary of State for Education Ruth Kelly  announced the location of the Fashion Retail Academy, its outline curriculum, and the procedures by which potential students can submit their applications to enrol.

The Academy will be located in central London on Gresse St, W1 with over 45,000 sq ft of adaptable teaching space over 6 floors. The central London location, close to Oxford St and Tottenham Ct Road makes it an ideal venue for students to learn in the heart of London’s fashion retail district. It is anticipated that the Academy, which will be a centre of excellence for the sector, will be launched in late Autumn 2005.

Approximately 60 students will comprise the initial intake, aged between 16 and 18, with total student populations expected to grow to 350.

Philip Green said “The principal idea and concept for the Fashion Retail Academy is to train and prepare the next generation of young people for the work place by teaching and developing the fundamental skills required in the Retail Industry. The ethos and curriculum have been created to encourage entrepreneurial talents through both unique behind the scenes insight and direct contact on a regular basis with CEO’s and senior retail executives from many different areas of the Retail Industry”.

Ruth Kelly, said “Arcadia’s exciting innovative Skills Academy for Fashion Retail will blaze a trail for our new Skills Academy programme. By supporting this joint venture Philip Green is showing a real commitment to productive partnership in education. The Academy will promote fashion retail as a career, and will deliver a flow of young people to the industry with excellent skills.

THE CURRICULUM AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Academy will offer two qualifications:

Year 1 – Certificate of Fashion Retail (equivalent to GCSE)

Year 2 – Diploma of Fashion Retail (equivalent to A-Level)

The Curriculum will be accredited by ABC (Awarding Body Consortium).

This course will be a unique blend of different experiences:

• a combination of academic study and work experience

• teaching by both qualified lecturers and retailers with inspirational master classes taken by industry heavyweights

• work based learning will include visits to suppliers, distribution centres, buying trips and in-store experience

STUDENT APPLICATIONS AND RECRUITMENT

Students will receive tuition from established experts in all aspects of retail including design, technology, IT, marketing, visual merchandising and buying and will be encouraged and helped to take part-time work within the sector.

The Academy will select on the basis of enthusiasm and flair, with students showing an interest in fashion, rather than on background and qualifications.

There will be a two stage recruitment process, both written and through formal interview. All interested applicants should fill in an on-line application form on www.arcadiagroup.co.uk/recruitment Webster.

Successful applicants from this stage will be invited to a series of Recruitment/Open Days to be held in central London between April-August. Parents will, of course, also be welcome.

Arcadia is working closely with its education partner, The London College of Fashion on this brand new proposition and specialised curriculum.