Member Article

Gradon Architecture goes back to school to help A-Level student fulfill his dream

As the number of school leavers opting to study architecture falls in the face of increasing fees, a North East practice is extending a helping hand to an A-Level student from Blaydon.

17-year-old Connor Newton, who is studying for his final A-Level exams at St Thomas More Catholic School in Blaydon, is the latest architectural talent to join Ryton-based practice, Gradon Architecture, on a part-time apprenticeship.

Having impressed design director and former St Thomas More pupil, Graham McDarby, during a six-week summer work experience with the practice, Connor will now join the team working two days-a-week as an architectural technologist assistant to complement his final year studies in Physics, Geography and Graphics.

For Connor, securing an apprenticeship with Gradon Architecture has given him an alternative route to becoming an architect. Like a growing number of under-graduates considering their options of joining profession, Connor has been put off going to university due to his unwillingness to graduate after seven years with up to £100k and no guarantee of a job at the end of it.

Connor, who lives with his mum and dad in Blaydon, said: “I’m over-the-moon to be joining a practice like Gradon Architecture as an apprentice. To get this opportunity is a dream come true really, as I’ve always been fascinated by the technical aspects of how buildings work and love transforming interesting spaces using creative design.

“Gaining this apprenticeship is also a big weight off my shoulders. The thought of going to university to train to be an architect for seven years really didn’t appeal to me, as I didn’t want to graduate with lots of debt. That’s why this apprenticeship is so perfect. It not only gives me the chance to gain the skills I need by working part-time, but it will also support me with my academic study which I’m really grateful for. I just can’t wait to get started.”

This academic year marks the first time that architecture students face paying university tuition fees of up to £9k-a-year - not to mention the added cost of printing, laser-cutting, field trips and living expenses over a seven-year period.

Figures released by UCAS last summer showed that the number of students applying to study architecture in 2013 had dropped by 12% to 26,821 applicants. And earlier this year, a report by the UK Architectural Education Review Group suggested that the number of students entering the profession in the future will be dictated by his or her willingness to shoulder high levels of personal debt.

Based at NE40Studios, a locally listed converted church in Ryton, Gradon Architecture has a track record for nurturing local architectural talent. Currently working on a variety of exciting projects across the North of England and overseas, the practice has alsorecently welcomed graduates from Newcastle and Northumbria Universities to its growing team.

Graham McDarby, design director of Gradon Architecture, said: “As a practice, we truly believe in giving young architects the chance to develop their skills within an industry environment. Connor is a highly motivated and talented student, who came to us looking for an alternative route into the profession without going to university. With this year’s increase in tuition fees it just got even harder to study to become an architect and understandably Connor felt that he couldn’t afford this. That’s why we sat down with his family to create an opportunity that would best suit his needs.

“Architects are an essential part of supporting economic growth going forward, as they are vital to designing the future homes and communities in which we need to live. That’s why as an industry we need to create an architectural education-system that supports a wide pool of talent to choose from rather than preventing aspiring architects to give up their dream because they cannot afford it.

“We’re really proud to be continuing to invest in young North East architectural talent for the future. It’s essential to gain quality practical experience alongside academic study, which is why we’re delighted to be offering Connor this unique apprenticeship. Not only will he be able to gain practical skills working two days-a-week whilst he completes his A-Levels, but we will also look to support Connor financially on a three year architectural technologist course at university to help him to fulfill his ambition of becoming an architect.”

Connor is the second student from St Thomas More School to take part in work experience at the practice over the last two years.

John Davis, Head of Sixth Form at St Thomas Moore School, said: “We have a successful history of offering high quality support to sixth form students, whether they apply to higher education or move directly into the work place. Our students are encouraged to gain as much valuable work experience as they can to complement their learning, and staff work closely with students to make this possible.

“We are delighted that Connor has been offered the opportunity to pursue a part-time apprenticeship with Gradon Architecture. This is a unique opportunity for Connor, and a new and exciting development for the school. We are very proud of his success.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Gradon Architecture .