BUDDING designers from Swindon Academy will be displaying their talent later this month when their textile creations go on show in the windows of Marks & Spencer in the Brunel Centre.

The year 11 GCSE students have been tasked with designing costumes with an Alice in Wonderland theme as part of a work experience project.

They spent Friday stitching garments and dressing mannequins all under the watchful of eye of Marks & Spencer’s own window stylists.

Georgia Foster, a tutor at Swindon Academy, said: “The opportunity to work with Marks & Spencer and The Brunel Centre helps to raise the aspirations of our young people by providing insight to the world of work and enhances their curriculum.

“These real life situations raise student motivation and achievement in class as well as develop confidence and employability skills. All of which will help to ensure that local young people leave school with the right skills to enjoy a successful future.

“Giving students the opportunity to produce high quality work and exhibit in a public setting gives them enormous pride in their achievements.”

James Shorney is manager at Marks and Spencer in the town centre and recently visited Swindon Academy to meet the students and to see some of the work in progress.

He said: “It was good to meet the young people involved in this project and I’m very much looking forward to them coming into the store with their finished creations. I’m delighted that we are able to help give the students this valuable real-life work experience.”

Jane Stewart, deputy general manager of The Brunel, said: “This textile and window dressing project with Marks and Spencer is the first of several work experience projects that we have planned with Swindon Academy.

“It’s important that young people have their eyes opened to the vast range of jobs that are available in the retail sector.”

Later this year students will be joining The Brunel's management team to experience a range of roles involving the behind-the-scenes running of a shopping centre.

One of the lucky students, Chloe Adcock, 16, of Beech Avenue, said: “We had to put a project together and I decided to do mine inspired by the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland."

On how well the students work together, Chloe said: “Our projects are individual pieces but we all take inspiration from each other.”

Another student, Keliesha Mason, 16, of Hudson Way, said: “I’ve really enjoyed this project, all the designs are great. My costume is inspired by the Queen of Hearts.”

Marks and Spencer’s visual manager, Sarah Howes, 36, stressed how important it was for the students to gain first-hand experience.

“It’s a good way for the students to see how we do things and it has been really great working with them.”

The display of Alice themed costumes will be on view until Monday, June 6 and can be seen in the windows of Marks & Spencer on the upper floor of The Brunel Plaza, opposite Boots.