Four teenagers from Westray Junior High School have made history by becoming the first pupils in Scotland to complete a pioneering clothes-making qualification as part of the school curriculum.

Alexander Hourston, Miller Harcus, Melissa Nicolson and Mark Shearer, all aged 14, have completed the QS-accredited Kindred Clothing (Garment Construction) Award, at SCQF Level 5.

With fabric donated by Meider Jonno Asha (Hope for Girls), an Orkney-based charity working to improve the life chances of girls in Bangladesh, the group, all sewing novices, made dungarees, a t-shirt/t-shirt dress and a lounge top.

The group will showcase their creations to their families and members of the community at a celebratory event at the school on 19 March. 

Since its launch in 2020, 71 learners aged 12 to 64 have completed the qualification, which was originally inspired by young parents supported by the Dundee charity Front Lounge. When a gap appeared in the Westray Junior High timetable, the school reached out to the charity, knowing Kindred Clothing had been successfully taught in Kirkwall. Delivered one full day a week over 16 weeks, this was the first time the course had been incorporated into the mainstream curriculum anywhere in Scotland.

Miller Harcus commented:

“I enjoyed making clothes for the first time, which I didn’t expect I would.”

Melissa Nicolson added,

“It has inspired me to buy my own sewing machine and to create clothes to fit myself.”

In these pictures the young people are wearing the lounge tops they made on the course.

Mark Shearer commented:

” I enjoyed making the lounge top, my brother even said he’d wear it!”

Kayleigh, who has been teaching adult evening sewing classes on Orkney for many years, said,

“I was absolutely blown away by this group of young people, some of whom were reluctant at first and not convinced they’d enjoy it. But they soon all became really engaged, have truly excelled, and are so much more confident. They should be so proud of themselves. 

“I’ve also learnt a lot about myself and really enjoyed teaching a different demographic from my usual adult evening classes. I have gained a great deal from helping them get through the course and seeing some of them turn problems, like fixing a machine, into fun challenges.

“They weren’t just ticking a box either – some of them wanted a hood on their lounge top, to make children’s versions of the dungarees, or to try something different. We helped them do it their way.”

With Westray being 1.5 hours by boat from the Orkney mainland, the weather and other logistics were also challenging, with the weather preventing nearly a third of the in-person sessions.

Kayleigh added:

“As anyone who lives in this beautiful part of the world knows, weather can change quickly, especially in the winter, and you need to pivot, so that’s exactly what we did.  In fact, on my very first day back in November, my flight was cancelled. Having to think of plan B fast, I went to the local library, set up a remote workstation and began teaching that way!”

Kayleigh was ably supported by retired primary teachers, Angie Stout and Helen Lumsden throughout the course. Meanwhile, Megan McKay from Little Pearl Studio in Dundee was also brought in as an online relief tutor. The learners’ work was assessed by Amy Deans from Front Lounge.

Louise Harcus, Principal Teacher, said,

“It’s been amazing watching the young people not just complete a course but go from something they weren’t sure about to fully embracing it. There’s no doubt that sewing brings challenges, a need to problem-solve and work together, and it’s fantastic to see the young people not just complete the course but also enjoy tackling something new and gain such confidence from it.

“Kindred Clothing has presented a real opportunity to us, not just a refreshing addition to our curriculum but an experience our young people will remember and call upon in the years ahead, giving them a new perspective and hope for what might come next.”

Meanwhile, on the mainland, a group of four adults, aged 21 to 66, have also completed the course, celebrating their achievements in front of family and friends on 16 March.

Arthur Derrick, Carolyn Shepherd, Hana Swinney and Simone Meek were taught by Kindred Clothing graduate-turned-trainer Briony Avery from The Learning Link (Adult Learning, Orkney Council), who is also a member of the Scottish Women’s Institute in Orkney. The group were assessed by Chelsie Bruce from Front Lounge.

Front Lounge, which celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year, exists to empower people from disadvantaged backgrounds to fulfil their potential. Its work supports school refusers, young parents, people facing mental health challenges, and anyone at a crossroads in life.

For more information and to express an interest in taking part in Kindred Clothing Orkney, email hello@frontlounge.org or visit www.frontlounge.org

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