Knareswick Phrontistery

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Knareswick is a small magical phrontistery/conservatory located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded in 2013. Original discussion.

It serves adult students from anywhere in the world who have already completed their basic magical education. The format is a sort of master/apprentice semi-Socratic method, where specialized faculty sorcerers take on small cohorts of highly qualified students.

A small council of elite, somewhat stuffy, academic types acquire private funding, supervise the faculty sorcerers, support recruitment, lobby for partnerships, and maintain standards and credentials for the Knareswick.

As the school grows, sorcerers of different areas of study will have a representative on the council and work together to maintain standards.

knare from the Anglo-Saxon for rocky place; wick from Middle English for a place work is done.

Faculty and guest speakers

Faculty are referred to as 'sorcerers', per some old tradition. They are experts in magical fields both narrow and broad. Some are residential, while others are peripatetic. Some take on this role full time, others part-time alongside their other work.

Sorcerers choose which and how many apprentices they take on, and can set their own qualifying standards.

Knareswick also invests heavily in guest speakers for apprentices and occasionally the paying public.

Students/Apprentices

Adult apprentices who have completed their magical education with distinction may attend. Knareswick qualifications are meant to be very high, and could be perhaps narrow or prejudiced at times.

Apprentices can be from anywhere in the world. They apply directly to their sorcerer of choice.

Location and facilities

The main administration building (TODO: name this building) is in magical Edinburgh and houses offices and lecture halls. It has a tower with a bell that chimes the hour (and other things). Sorcerers can choose to do their teaching on site, or at another location as they see fit. House elves are involved in the upkeep.

There is a courtyard tucked away between a few of the Phrontistery's adjacent buildings. [1]

Offices and buildings

  • A "Main Lecture Hall" (TODO: name this hall) in the main admin building sports a low platform in the center, so that the lectures can be held in the round. [2]
  • Wick's is a narrow, busy cafe tucked into archways near the main building. [3]
  • Knox Greyfriar's offices are in the main building. He considers them sufficient and modest. It has one warm fireplace with space for a tea kettle, his own large desk, photos and a comfortable chair. There is a tall window that lets in plenty of sunlight but also a draft. [4]
  • Daedelus Kettleburn maintains a "lab" in the main admin building where his apprentices can brew and store potions for their studies. [5]

Forum board

Controversy and criticism

The institution is still new and it is still unclear how the Ministry of Magic and other employers will regard credentials from apprentices finishing their studies.

Knareswick, in its dedication to high academic standards, must field allegations of elitism and prejudice in hiring, apprenticeships, and content.

Some criticize the school for being too conservative, others too progressive. There is occasional controversy over guest speakers.

Funding sources can also lead to commentary about just who has influence over the phrontistery.

Known donors, staff, speakers, and students

Donors

Sorcerers

Guest lecturers

Apprentices

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