National Saturday Clubs
Given the success of the National Art&Design Saturday Club, it became clear that the Saturday Club model could equally be applied to other subjects and sectors.
There are now National Saturday Clubs for Science&Engineering, Fashion&Business and Writing&Talking, as well as Art&Design. The model is tailored to suit the subjects covered and the industries to which they relate.
The core philosophy remains the same: National Saturday Clubs give 13–16 year olds the unique opportunity to study subjects they love at their local college or university. The classes are free of charge and are delivered by tutors, supported by student assistants.
Fashion&Business Club members from the University of Brighton working on an African textile project with Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
Coleg Sir Gâr’s Science&Engineering Club members learn welding and metalwork techniques
Science&Engineering Club members from Ravensbourne take part in a broadcast workshop
Club members at the University of Brighton making garments
Science&Engineering Club members at the Science Museum during the London Visit
Club members view their work on display at the Summer Show, a week-long public exhibition held at Somerset House, London
Each Club’s programme is designed to encourage creativity, exploration and discovery, broaden members’ horizons and fire their imaginations. They nurture young people’s talent, build their confidence, skills and self-esteem. Club members learn new techniques and work with new materials not normally found in schools, giving them insights into areas of work and study that they might consider in the future.
“In the future, I think the Saturday Club will definitely help me make a decision about what I want to do”.
“There’s something about being here and discovering these new skills that does wonders for their confidence”.
“The Saturday Club has been a wonderfully positive experience for everyone involved. The programme has been very fast-paced, but the Club members have amazed us with their maturity, commitment, talent and self-awareness”.
“I think Saturday Clubs are really important in helping young people understand how good they can be at different subjects. It’s really encouraging – you could be amazing at something you’ve never tried before!”
Young people also benefit from an inspiring Masterclass with leading professionals; special visits to museums and workplaces; and by taking part in the Summer Show, an exhibition of their work in London’s Somerset House Embankment Galleries.
The Saturday Club model has the potential to reach wider and further. A new charity – the Saturday Club Trust – consolidates and develops the existing Clubs and explores the potential for other subjects. The Saturday Club Trust joins together this national movement, acting as catalyst, champion and coordinator.
To learn more about the National Saturday Clubs, visit saturday-club.org.
publication
National Saturday Club Yearbook 2016-17
Club members are each presented with a Yearbook at a dedicated private view during the Summer Show. This Yearbook provides a snapshot of everything they have experienced and achieved over the programme year.
publication
National Science&Engineering Saturday Club Pilot
The Science&Engineering Saturday Club was launched in January 2015, in partnership with Kingston University London, and piloted over the spring and summer terms with excellent results, detailed here.
publication
Saturday Club Trust
This white paper describes the background, present direction and the future of the Saturday Club Trust, the charity which has taken over the development of the national network of Saturday Clubs from the Sorrell Foundation.
publication
The People’s City of Literature Anthology
This documents the first National Writing&Talking Saturday Club, launched in 2017 in partnership with Writers’ Centre Norwich and the University of East Anglia. Following this pilot, there are plans to extend to more locations.
