Bishopsland Educational Trust is an internationally recognised and accredited charity dedicated to the training and education of young people in the craft of silversmithing in the United Kingdom.
As a charity, we have quietly and unassumingly nurtured the careers of over 200 silversmiths and jewellers over the last 30 years, the vast majority of whom have gone on to develop sustainable businesses in the UK. Today, our society of Fellows are some of the foremost craftspeople in their field. They continue to pass their skills on to others and contribute to maintaining excellence within Britain’s craft, trade and industry.
With the support of our funders, we have been able to award over £300k in bursaries to talented craftspeople regardless of background, means or academic ability. Our one- or two-year immersive residential training programme continues to provide a much-needed bridge between education and a career as a maker. Our inherent understanding of creativity and vocational skills training has developed over many years and is a proven formula for success.
As a charity, we continue to support our Fellows throughout their careers, offering opportunities for exhibitions, collaborations, commissions and routes to market through our extensive network. We believe wholeheartedly in supporting silversmithing, jewellery and the allied trades through the retention and underpinning of vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts.