accredited and approved tutor assessments
Any tutor who is a member of CLAS is welcome to apply for accreditation.
CLAS is an education charity that not only provides a framework for calligraphy education for groups to use but also aims to assess those tutors who wish to obtain a qualification to identify themselves to the public. The method that CLAS has adopted results in assessment as either:
- CLAS accredited tutor, or
- CLAS approved tutor
Accreditation is the ultimate goal, but there are many teachers who prefer to pursue the route of becoming a CLAS approved tutor. Both have undergone some assessment of their teaching ability and can demonstrate an acceptable level of calligraphic skills. Once assessed and recognised by CLAS, their names will be added to the CLAS list and will appear on the CLAS list map.
image courtesy of Christine Christensen
How does one achieve either of these qualifications?
Both are examined and assessed by highly experienced and qualified tutors who have personally demonstrated the very highest level of calligraphic standards.
CLAS accredited tutor
The applicant must have attained at least the CLAS National Diploma at Intermediate level with a merit or an equivalent standard. Contact the CLAS list administrator for clarification on what is meant by ‘equivalent’. This is mandatory.
There are two methods of submission for assessment for Accredited Tutor:
1. In addition to the standard of calligraphy achieved, as described above, the applicant must also have one of the following:
- A pass on the CLAS Certificate of Skills for Teaching Calligraphy (see Certificates of Skills section for clarification; these certificates are important benchmarks and should be capitalised).
- A recognised teaching qualification (this does not need to be in the field of art).
Additionally, the applicant must submit their own designed and written exemplars used to teach the basic hands, i.e., uncial, foundation, and formal italic, accepted as a good standard.
The fee for assessment of this submission is £25*.
2. In addition to the standard of calligraphy achieved, as described above, an applicant may submit a written study, “Developing Students’ Learning”. This is an in-depth description of how you plan, develop, deliver, and evaluate a programme of work with a class, and should cover 8-10 consecutive two-hour lessons or an equivalent series of linked workshops with the same students.
Additionally, the applicant must submit an outline plan for a year’s teaching (there is a link to CLAS Accredited Tutors which gives details on this study), plus their own designed and written exemplars used to teach the basic hands of uncial, foundation, and formal italic.
The fee for assessment of this submission is £75*.
* The submission should be sent to the CLAS List administrator with a cheque for the relevant amount, made payable to CLAS. The work will then be forwarded to CLAS Accredited Tutor Assessors, who are experienced calligraphers and teachers. If the submission is successful, your name will appear in both the Edge and on the CLAS List map.
CLAS approved tutor
As the name suggests, this is a lesser qualification, but it indicates that CLAS recognises that the individual has a good standard of calligraphic skills and demonstrates some experience and insight into teaching. The applicant must have attained at least the CLAS National Diploma at Intermediate level with a merit, or an equivalent standard. Contact the CLAS list administrator for clarification on what is meant by ‘equivalent’. This is mandatory.
In addition to the standard of calligraphy achieved, as described above, the applicant must also submit all of the following:
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- Three recent examples of your own work. These should have been completed within the last three years, demonstrate three basic hands, and each should be over 20 words.
- Your own designed and written exemplars to be used in the teaching of uncial, foundation, and formal italic.
- One term’s scheme of work (a term being 8-10 weeks).
- One detailed lesson plan.
The fee for assessment of this submission is £25.
The submission should be sent to the CLAS List administrator with a cheque for £25, made payable to CLAS. The work will then be forwarded to CLAS Accredited Tutor Assessors, who are experienced calligraphers and teachers.
If the submission is successful, your name will appear in both the Edge and on the CLAS List map.
become a part of CLAS
Join CLAS today for exclusive benefits including the Edge magazine, CLASnews updates, discounted course and competition fees, exclusive diploma access, free entry to our annual exhibition, invitations to exhibit, and discounts on calligraphy items from L Cornelissen and Son.