One of our Level 3 Creative Practice (Art & Design) students currently has her film exhibiting at Harrogate’s Mercer Art Gallery.

Sound of Silence, by Sophia Howard, is inspired by the concept of oxymorons and how sound is an intrinsic part of everyday life. The film uses visual storytelling to explore the increasing amount of sound generated by humans and how, for some, silence can often be an uncomfortable experience.

Mercer Art Gallery celebrates female filmmakers

The film follows on from the Aesthetic contemporary film festival and Power and Identity exhibition that celebrated the work of female filmmakers. The exhibition, which ran until 30 September, included films from internationally acclaimed artists Jasmina Cubic, Juliana Kasumu, Michelle Williams Gamaker, Rhea Storr and also Trigger Point actress, Manjinder Virk.

In addition to showcasing her own creation, Sophia offered insights about the Mercer Art Gallery from a young filmmaker’s perspective, in the hopes of helping the gallery to attract a broader and more diverse audience in North Yorkshire. 

Creative Practice students at Harrogate College learn how to master their individual style through a range of techniques and processes across fine art, digital art, 3D and 4D moving image.

Sophia’s work is showing until the end of October. We hope to see more from her in the future.

Rosemary Haynes has been a teacher for 32 years and joined the college part time, teaching Level 3 Business, last year. Originally from Harrogate, Rosemary has a degree in European Business (Leicester) and a PGCE in Business Education (Sunderland).

In July 2024 Rosemary qualified as a professional coach and mentor, passing her Level 5 in Effective Coaching and Mentoring with the Institute of Leadership and Management. Also gaining her Association for Coaching Accredited Award in Coach training and a Diploma in neuro-linguistic coaching practice.*

This study resulted from a decision in 2023 by Rosemary to leave her Head of Department job, stop working full-time in the classroom and begin to move away from classroom teaching over the next few years. 

Rosemary said:

“I still enjoy banter with young people and feel self-actualised – cheeky bit of Business theory there – when they achieve their potential.

“I’ve worked in state schools and independent schools as well as faith & non-faith schools. I’ve been a part time teacher and I’ve had 15 years in management, but I feel it’s almost time to do something else.

“When I took the job at Harrogate College, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Despite living in Harrogate for many years, my knowledge about the college was sketchy. I came with an open mind about the types of students I would be teaching and their ability.

“I have enjoyed my time here so far; academic and pastoral staff are amenable and friendly and the students are motivated.  The general atmosphere is one of quiet but productive activity and the students are courteous.”

Achieving some of the highest grades in the country

Rosemary teaches on BTEC Level 3 Business National Diploma. Students who complete the whole qualification achieve 3 grades which are comparable to A Level grades, the highest being D*D*D*.  Last year our students achieved some of the highest grades in the country, with 50% achieving this top grade compared to 1% nationally.  75% of our students achieved D*D*D*-DDD compared to 26% nationally and several have gone onto University.

Rosemary also now works as a freelance coach and mentor as well as an educational author and editor for a publisher.

*Neuro-linguistic coaches work with clients to help them reprogramme their unhelpful internal dialogue, e.g. “I’m no good at that” “this is going to be a nightmare” etc.

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