Manor Church of England Academy at Yorkshire Artspace: Developing a Dog Tread Harness Prototype

The visit of Manor Church of England Academy’s V&A Innovate 2024–25 winners to Yorkshire Artspace, Persistence Works, put a practical stamp on a school design challenge and revealed how creative industry spaces can inspire young designers.

From classroom concept to studio workshop

The student group from Manor Church of England Academy won the V&A Innovate 2024–25 challenge with a prototype called the Dog Tread Harness, made from recycled bike tyres. Their idea addressed the global problem of waste tyres by transforming them into a safe, comfortable dog lead. As a workshop prize, the students were invited by the V&A Schools & Colleges team to visit Yorkshire Artspace – Persistence Works in Sheffield.

Why Persistence Works mattered

Persistence Works is housed in a striking concrete building designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects. The studio complex serves as a hub for professional makers and gave students a firsthand look at the creative processes found in a working arts environment. Touring the site exposed them to diverse practices and materials, from silversmithing to ceramics, and offered a living example of how design ideas can move toward production.

Meeting established makers

During the visit, the students spoke with designer Giles Grover about next steps for their harness, and met silversmiths Morvarid Alavifard a Shinta Nakajima. The encounter included demonstrations of studio equipment and conversations about practical matters such as health and safety, work experience, and even future career expectations.

Visit highlights

Hands-on refinement

After explaining their design and creative process, the students worked directly on their prototype with Giles Grover. Conversations covered how to scale the simple figure‑8 design for different dog sizes and potential adaptations for other animals, with a light-hearted suggestion about trying an adaptation for cats.

What visitors can learn from a creative studio tour

• Practical skills: Witnessing specialist tools and kilns helps translate classroom theory into practice.
• Design development: Professional feedback accelerates prototyping and improves usability.
• Career insight: Exposure to working artists offers clarity about creative industries and future paths.
• Sustainability thinking: Seeing recycled materials in use reinforces eco-conscious design.

Tips for planning a similar educational visit

When arranging a studio trip, consider pre-visit briefings, targeted questions for makers, and follow-up workshops to keep momentum. A short itinerary might include a guided tour, hands-on demo, and a critique session with a designer to maximise learning.

How this ties into cultural tourism

Creative studios like Persistence Works are increasingly part of cultural tourism offerings: they provide authentic, hands-on travel experiences where visitors learn about craft and design. For travellers who like to combine museum tours with behind-the-scenes access, these spaces enrich a destination’s cultural program and make for memorable educational trips.

Highlights of the Yorkshire Artspace visit include the students’ transition from concept to a more tested prototype, the inspiration drawn from professional studios, and the practical mentorship that refined the Dog Tread Harness. Of course, no review or account can replace trying an experience yourself: personal visits to studios and museums reveal nuances and surprises that descriptions cannot. On GetExperience, you book your experience from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments; GetExperience also offers a diverse selection of tours in and around Sheffield, including studio visits and museum tours that suit a range of tastes and budgets. Book now GetExperience.com

In summary, the Manor Church of England Academy trip to Yorkshire Artspace demonstrates how design challenges can blossom into tangible learning when paired with industry exposure. The students’ use of recycled bike tyres in the Dog Tread Harness reflects sustainable innovation and practical problem-solving. The visit combined studio tours, mentorship from professionals such as Giles Grover, and hands-on prototyping—elements that make cultural visits both educational and inspiring. Whether planning travel experiences that include museum tours with live guides or seeking adventure activities and interactive online cultural workshops, combining education and tourism creates opportunities for learning and discovery that range from beginner esports coaching sessions to eco-friendly wildlife safaris and exclusive yacht charters for events. These crossovers—museum tours, maker studios, and practical workshops—encourage richer travel memories and informed creative journeys.