The Sylva Foundation’s Wood School is thrilled to offer up to eight free places for early-career designers and makers to take part in this year’s Summer School — a key part of our Woodworking and Gender Project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Through this project, we are working to address gender inequality in the heritage woodworking and furniture making sector. We warmly invite applications from individuals who identify as female, trans, or non-binary and who are passionate about working with wood.
The Summer School will take place in person from Monday 8 to Friday 12 September 2025 at the stunning Sylva Wood Centre in Oxfordshire. Across five immersive days, you’ll have full access to our professional workshops, receive guidance from experienced tutors, and join a welcoming community of fellow makers. You’ll respond to a live brief to design and prototype a wooden product/ piece of furniture for a high-profile project partner, drawing inspiration from homegrown timber with special historic provenance.
What to expect
Learn:
We’ll introduce you to our twin passions — the sustainable stewardship of forests and the creative possibilities of homegrown timbers.
Create and design:
You’ll be invited to respond to a hands-on project brief exploring lesser-used native woods, experimenting with their potential and character in our fully equipped workshops.
Make:
Prototype your ideas with guidance from our tutors and technicians, building both your technical skills and creative confidence.
Grow and Connect:
Forge lasting connections with other makers from marginalised genders. Build your confidence, expand your network, and experience a week of personal and creative growth in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Who should apply?
This opportunity is open to anyone who:
- Is aged 18 or over
- Early career designer/makers (product/ furniture design)
- Identifies as female, trans (including trans men) and/or non-binary
- Has some previous woodworking experience
- Can commit to attending from 8th–12th September 2025
- Is enthusiastic about creating, designing and making in wood.
Whether you’re excited to sharpen your practical woodworking skills, explore the possibilities of home-grown timbers, or bring bold ideas to life through hands-on prototyping, the Sylva Summer School offers a space to stretch your creativity. You’ll work alongside others each designing and developing a product for our project partner — blending craft, design thinking, and sustainable making into something real and impactful.
How to apply
Please apply using this form: https://forms.gle/QP3jHmvaHmxgdNux9
Deadline to apply: Sunday 13th July 2025
Shortlisted applicants will be notified by Friday 25th July 2025. For further information, or if you have any questions about accessibility or the application process, please see the form or contact us at: gender@sylva.org.uk
