The School of Stitched Textiles is the distance learning business that has developed from running attended classes and workshops at Eccles Farm Needlecraft Centre.

We soon found that demand for the workshops far exceeded the numbers we were able to cope with here at the centre. This in turn led on to our establishing the distance learning side of the business, called the School of Stitched Textiles, when two attending students had to move away midcourse and asked if it would be possible to continue learning without returning to the district to attend classes

Because of recent changes in government policy regarding funding adults in education, it has become apparent that prospective students are finding it difficult, if not impossible, in some areas of the country to find a City & Guilds Creative Studies class at all, let alone at a time which they can attend, and this difficulty magnifies itself when they wish to go on to do Diploma after Level 3. We aim to fill this 'gap' for many students who wish to learn textiles, but for whatever reason find difficulties in attending a regular local college course.

The list below is not exhaustive, but gives a good indication of what our courses offer:

• Quick enrolment and access to modules – one you’ve made your mind up, we know you’ll want to start as soon as possible!
• Choice between online courses or the traditional postal service
• Clear instructions to make course requirements easy
• Quick access to tutor and support staff if required
• The least possible delay in having work assessed or queries answered
• A community of like minded people where opinion and problems matter
• Tutors especially trained in teaching and assessing students working remotely
• Tutors who produce their own course materials especially with distance learners in mind

We feel that it’s really important to deliver a range of beginners courses in order to allow those who love the idea of learning about needlework a way to begin their exciting creative journey.

After 10 years experience in delivering distance learning we like to feel we have a good idea what students are looking for when they consider which learning provider to use, and we have tried hard to incorporate these requirements into our delivery and assessment methods.

A free taster course is available for you to download to determine your level and method of learning before you commit to any course.

If you think the online course system may be for you but would like to check it out first, you can request a demo.