It’s a dream job for top fashion teacher
A fashion teacher who headed up one of Scotland’s best- regarded fashion programmes is heading back to Ayrshire for her dream job.
Jacqueline Farrell, 51, will leave her role as head of Glasgow Clyde College’s renowned School of Fashion and Textiles to take up the high- profile post of head of education at Dumfries House.
The former Cumnock Academy pupil was recruited for the position after spending five years leading the estate’s Future Textiles programme alongside her work with the college.
She said: “I was delighted when the opportunity came up for me to become head of education at Dumfries House as it will be such a varied, interesting and rewarding job.
“The great work that is done on the estate around training, employability skills, community and wellbeing is a flagship of how education should be done.
“I love the variety of projects here - from rare breeds on the farm to STEM- based early interventions and traditional craft skills - and I’m really looking forward to working across the different areas.
“As a local girl who snuck into the estate grounds to take photographs of a fashion collection I produced whilst studying at Cumnock Academy to being mentored by The Prince’s Trust and now using my education experience to give back to the local community where it all began is a dream come true for me.
“I can’t wait to get started - it’s definitely going to be a case of when to stop rather than what to do next.”
Through her work with the estate’s Future Textiles programme, Jacqueline worked with more than 2,000 pupils through her workshops.
Kenneth Dunsmuir, executive director of Dumfries House, said: “After spending more than 23 years working in tertiary education, Jacqueline has a wealth of experience to bring to this role.
“Jacqueline’s experience in curriculum development, people management, marketing and budget management, together with her network of industrial and commercial contacts, is invaluable and makes her the ideal candidate for the role.”