The students were initially introduced to a design brief in a workshop delivered by Chenika Allen - Thames College partnership coordinator - in November. The challenge was to create a logo and T-shirt design as part of a branding campaign for their own company.

The students showed creativity, resilience and excellent organisation skills by working to a deadline. In fact, they were so successful that six students out of a class of eleven were shortlisted for a prize.

We secured 13 spaces for a design workshop at Middlesex University on 6th February. Upon our arrival at the university, we were surprised to find out that we were the only school there. Upon enquiry, we were told that submissions from our students were of such a high quality that the judges from Middlesex University (the Head of Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries and the Head of School of Design) wanted to extend the opportunity of the printing workshop to other students from Ricards. 

We spent 2 hours in a printing workshop creating silk screen designs on A1-sized frames, which was daunting at the beginning, but the students' confidence grew so much that they were able to print the silk screens themselves by using ink and squeegees. While we were in the vast workshop, we were lucky to touch materials, discover a range of techniques used for the application of colour and observe fashion students printing their fabrics before turning them into their own garments for the final fashion show.

The facilities in the printing workshop were amazing - lithography, sublimation, intaglio, block printing, letter and heat press are available for the university students. After lunch there was a prize giving ceremony, and we were shocked to see the top two prizes were won by Ricards Students.

Second place was awarded to Alisha - a bag of art supplies worth £75 from CassArt, and the top prize was won by Sara, who received an iPad. Nobody left Middlesex University empty-handed, as everyone received a tote bag with goodies and a silkscreen print of their own artwork.

It was a very special day. We are so proud of our students.