019 Katie Plumpton
Against All Advice: Katie Plumpton on Choosing a BTEC Over A-levels at Frederick Street
Katie Plumpton studied a BTEC at Frederick Street from 2000 to 2002, against the advice of teachers and worried parents who wanted her to stick with A-levels. She went on to specialise in fashion and textiles under Yanina Temple, study textiles at Loughborough University, spent a placement year weaving silk in India, and eventually design menswear shirts in London.
What made you choose a BTEC over A-levels?
Katie: My school was very structured, you can't leave the building, this is where you study, and when I told my parents and teachers I wasn't doing A-levels, they all had a panic attack. I was told I was putting all my eggs in one basket, that it was a mistake. My parents were really supportive, but teachers were more, you shouldn't really do this. I decided worst case it's two years, and if I hated it I could always go and do A-levels afterwards. But I loved it. The moment you stepped into the building you could feel an energy, something in there that just made you want to be creative.
What was your day-to-day space like?
Katie: We were based in The Generator itself for most of the first year, that was our main space. They'd built giant whiteboards everywhere, and each of us had our own board, our own little mood board and desk, that stayed yours for the whole year, you could just pin everything up and let it go. In summer it was unbearably hot, sun pouring in through those huge windows right at the top, you'd just think, I need an umbrella or something to save me.
What kinds of projects do you remember most?
Katie: There was a summer project before we even started, we had to make a shoe out of paper and keep an illustrated diary of the process, then present it in the first week. Life drawing sticks with me the most though, up on the top floor of the old art college. They used to get so frustrated with me because I drew too perfectly, and they wanted expression instead. You had to go and get a twig from the park, stand up with your paper on the floor, dunk the twig in an inkwell and draw standing up to loosen everything up rather than draw perfect lines. Continuous line drawing too. And there was a fish project where I made my mum drive round all of Leicester trying to find a crab I needed for it. The things Art school parents have to do.
You were taught by Yanina Temple?
Katie: Yes, her and Janet, they taught fashion and textiles between them, Janet did more of the fashion side and Yanina more textiles, so I dealt with her the most. It was the first time I'd gone from being taught the school way to thinking creatively instead. I remember my first crit vividly, it was all negative, and you weren't used to being told that's rubbish, that's not what we want, do better. It really pushed you, but they were always slightly softer underneath that. Both brilliant teachers.
What did you go on to do afterwards?
Katie: The first BTEC year you do a bit of everything, then specialise in the second, mine was fashion and textiles, based on the second floor of the main building. From there I went to Loughborough University to study textiles, did a placement year in India weaving silk fabrics for a company out there, incredible experience, then came back for my final year and eventually got a job in London designing menswear shirts, working with suppliers in India and Turkey.
Watch the Interview
Interview: 019 | Interviewee: Katie Plumpton | Recorded: 06.12.2025 | Duration: 10 minutes | Recorded at: Institute Research Lab, Loughborough | Series: Stories & Memories
What would you like to see happen with the building now?
Katie: I've been trying to get on a tour for two or three years, missed the last two to Covid, but finally got round this year and it's looking incredible. The idea of hanging a screen from the crane for a cinema is genius. It's such a versatile space, exhibitions, working studios, dance events, live music, a proper community spot, which I think Loughborough really needs. A lot happens at the university for students, but not as much for residents. I'd love to see life drawing classes running there again too, going right back to the roots, twigs from Queens Park and everything.
How would you sum up your time there?
Katie: It felt like a real community. I made so many friends there, and I'm still in touch with a lot of people from that time, everyone remembers it fondly. Studying art felt like such a luxury, and you do miss the crits, weirdly, you dread them at the time and then look back wishing you still had that kind of honest feedback.
With thanks to Katie Plumpton for sharing her memories as part of The Generator's Stories & Memories oral history project.
