Fashion Retail Academy: any thoughts?

[Holdonforsummer]

i visited the Fashion Retail Academy in London yesterday with my 15 year old daughter yesterday and she loved it. She likes the idea of doing the Level 3 Fashion Retail course from 16-18, which is supposed to be equal to three A levels. She likes the idea of two days’ college, two days of working on projects at home. And the idea of doing something vocational. Has anyone had a child who has attended for sixth form? I’d love to hear honest thoughts/reviews. Thank you.

Yes. It was really great for the person I know who attended. They have SEND too and they've gone on to a decent path in fashion. They are 19 now.

Thanks for replying! That is good to know.

I know 2 girls who have gone. One is now a senior buyer for Tesco (she went a few years ago). The other is in her second year. They both love it. And for them much much better than the traditional sixth form.

My daughter went to the FRA and completed the Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Retail & Marketing, straight from Sixth Form. She now works for a well known high-end fashion brand and is now age 20 x

actually it wasn’t Levels 3 it was Level 4, seems a long time ago….

I am happy for your children, that all sounds great! I know they can’t guarantee anything but I just wanted reassurance it’s an official course with good teaching. I was a bit surprised that all she had to do to be offered a place was to fill in a form: she didn’t even have to write a statement about why she wanted to go there.

2 of DDs friends just started and really like it. It does seem to attract more well off kids though and a lot seem to travel really far. They seem to burn through lunch money as they go to local places which is all expensive. It wouldn't have worked for my DD as it's not much time in school at all but I think for a diligent and confident child it could be great. I'd recommend looking at London screen academy as well. The craft pathway has a costume design route which is great too and they have good career links as well.

My dd did it and went from there to Nottingham Trent to do Fashion Communications & Promotion. She enjoyed the course and loved her time there. She wasn’t academic so would have struggled with A Levels but this got her there.

She now has a fabulous job as a talent manager and is doing really well.

Oh it’s definitely an official course so no need to worry about that. As I remember it my daughter had to upload her A Level results on results day and then received the official offer for Level 4. Months before this she’d received the conditional offer on the basis of an application form and attending in person for a look round. I remember going with her and being really impressed with the level of support available to the students. I would say definitely pursue it x

Amazing, thank you! We both loved the open day and she has accepted a conditional offer so this is reassuring me, thank you.

My DD also attended here to do the level four extended diploma straight from GCSE.

She absolutely loved it and thrived in the environment. She went on to do a two-year condensed degree there too.

She now has a lovely job. She thoroughly enjoys in the world of fashion and beauty PR.
She wasn’t a natural academic and would’ve struggled with the academic side of a levels. But the practical aspects of the course and the fact they were no final exams really thoroughly helped her.

Apologies for reactivating this. Does anyone know what GCSES results they need? And I understand this school is free? When do you need to apply?

Apologies for reactivating this. Does anyone know what GCSES results they need? And I understand this school is free? When do you need to apply?

We are looking at this for DD2 after GCSE. What other colleges should we look at in London?