Fashion hits new heights as Heathfield School joins forces withParsons Paris school of art and design | Internationally acclaimed Parsons Paris to boost creativity at Berkshire-based independent girls school rated Excellent by ISI
Pictured: Student at Heathfield's Fashion Show, which showcased the stunning creative talent of its girls, alongside the work of its alumni
Heathfield School, Ascot - a leading independent secondary boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, rated Excellent by ISI – is thrilled to announce that it has entered into an unprecedented collaboration agreement with internationally acclaimed art and design school, Parsons Paris, in recognition of the outstanding fashion and textiles produced by its students. Notable ‘old girls’ include Tamara Mellon, OBE - the British fashion entrepreneur who co-founded the luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo - and Isabella Blow - the fashionable, hat-loving aristocrat, who discovered young designer Alexander McQueen, who later became head designer of the Louis Vuitton-owned Givenchy fashion line.
“As a small school, to be acknowledged nationally as a leading provider for secondary art education is superb,” said Headmistress, Sarah Wilson. “To be revered internationally is exceptional with this unique agreement being the only one of its kind in existence.”
Established in 1921, as the first American art and design school in Paris, Parsons has a long tradition of inspiring artists, designers and scholars. Together with Parsons in New York and The New School - Parsons’ parent university - Parsons Paris prepares its diverse graduates to pioneer new industries and pursue creative careers. In 2021, Parsons was ranked as the number one art college in the USA as well as one of the top three in the world. Its approach to merging disciplines to cultivate design-led problem solvers is aligned with Heathfield’s own philosophy for creative arts education.
“Parsons’ close-knit community, which offers a bespoke curriculum, is reflective of our best practice at Heathfield,” said Sarah Wilson. “This exciting collaboration will benefit art and design students in a variety of ways, including the creation of extra-curricular and scholarship opportunities for KS 3, 4 and 5 for instance, and through fashion events which Parsons will be attending. Parsons will also be on hand to review the portfolios and presentations of students applying to study art and design at university. A Fashion Designer in Residence - a recent Parsons’ BFA or MFA graduate – will work closely with all our pupils to identify and develop their creative spark, and to help to produce, promote and present their work. Students aged 16+ will also receive a 10% discount on the Parsons Paris Summer Programme.
“As Heathfield continues to flourish, we have now joined an international community of excellence and innovation. There is no finer accolade or one more fitting for our pupils,” said Sarah Wilson.
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About Parsons:
Established in 1921 as the first American art and design school in Paris, Parsons Paris today is an international community of students and distinguished faculty committed to tackling the challenges of an evolving world with creativity and intellectual rigor. Parsons Paris offers innovative English language bachelor's and master’s degree programmes in fashion, strategic design management, and art, media, and technology. Curricula bring together the globally renowned pedagogy of Parsons School of Design and the unique resources of Paris, with its heritage brands, forward-looking entrepreneurial culture, and access to Europe and beyond. Together with Parsons in New York and The New School - Parsons’ parent university - Parsons Paris maintains a network of local and global universities, cultural institutions, and organizations and businesses. Inspired by this dynamic city and a collaborative, interdisciplinary culture, graduates go on to pioneer new industries and pursue creative careers in Paris and worldwide.
About Heathfield School
Happy confident girls succeed – that’s the simple but powerful philosophy at Heathfield School. Founded in 1899, Heathfield was in the vanguard of educational establishments advocating the theory that happiness equated with academic success and has always placed high importance on pastoral care accordingly.
In its latest ISI Inspection the school achieved ‘Excellent in all categories’. The inspectors found that: ‘the overall achievement of the pupils is excellent and represents the successful fulfilment of the School’s ambitious aims’. They also stated that ‘pupils are happy, articulate and confident’ and that ‘pupils grow into young people who make a difference to the world and live their lives boldly’.
Heathfield was shortlisted by the Times Educational Supplement (TES) in 2020 for its Boarding School of the Year award, alongside Wellington and Rugby.
OPEN EVENTS 2022
Sixth Form Open Evening – Weds 28th Sept 6pm – 8pm (the new Sixth Form Centre building will be complete and open at end of August)
Whole school open morning – Sat 8th Oct 9.45 – 12 noon.