Pottery Courses

Here is a summary of our main courses to help you choose what is right for you. Click on each header to read the description.

  • Suitable for all levels – beginners and intermediate. Courses run afternoons or evenings Monday to Thursday in term time.

    During the weekly 2-hour sessions:

    • Beginners will learn to centre clay on the wheel, throwing cylinders and bowls.

    • More advanced students will learn how to throw bigger and more challenging shapes.

    • You will learn how to finish your pots and how to glaze them.

    • You can keep up to six pieces which will be fired for you at the end of this course.

    • The cost of all materials and firings are included in your course fee.

    You can find out more about each ‘throwing on the wheel’ course and teacher here:

    - Monday afternoon & evening with Birgit Pohl

    - Tuesday evening with Joanna Szwej-Hawkin

    - Wednesday afternoon & evening with Kyra Stratoudaki

    - Thursday evening with Schneider

  • Suitable for all levels – beginners and intermediate. Courses run Tuesday afternoons in term time.

    During the weekly 2-hour sessions:

    • You will learn various hand-building techniques, such as pinching, coiling and slab building.

    • Beginners have guided projects available if they want them. More advanced students will experiment with their own forms and designs.

    • In past courses people have made bowls, mugs, sculptures, vases, herb planters, table lamps, animals...

    • To finish your pieces, you will learn decorating techniques including using slips and inlay.

    • You can keep up to six pieces which will be fired for you at the end of this course.

    • The cost of all materials and firings are included in your course fee.

    You can find out more about the ‘hand building’ course and teacher here:

    - Tuesday afternoon with Joanna Szwej-Hawkin

  • Suitable for all levels – beginners and those experienced working with clay. You can work independently or follow the projects which are taught by the tutor. Courses run Thursday afternoons in term time.

    During the weekly 2-hour sessions:

    • You can choose to throw on the wheel or explore a variety of hand-building techniques such as pinching, coiling and slab building.

    • To finish your pieces, you will learn decorating techniques, experimenting with slips and inlay.

    • You will also learn how to finish your pots and how to glaze them

    • You can keep up to eight pieces which will be fired for you at the end of this course.

    • The cost of all materials and firings are included in your course fee.

    You can find out more about the ‘mixed techniques’ course and teacher here:

    - Thursday afternoon with Schneider

  • A 4-week beginners course for ages 13-17.

    During the weekly 2-hour sessions:

    • You will have a first go at centering clay on the wheel, throwing cylinders and bowls.

    • You will also learn how to finish your pots and how to decorate with slips.

    • You can keep up to six pots which will be fired and glazed for you at the end of this course.

    • The cost of all materials and firings are included in your course fee.

    Find out more about:

  • These 2-hour workshops are for beginners who would like to have a first go at throwing on the wheel.

    • You will learn to centre clay and throw cylinders and bowls.

    • At the end of the session, you pick your favourite pot which will be trimmed, glazed and fired for you.

    • The cost of all materials, trimming and firing are included in your course fee.

    • These sessions are led by Eliza Triance or Alice Wakefield.

    Find out more about:

    - Adult taster sessions

  • Workshops are offered to potters with varying experiences: some are more advanced and some for all levels. These are occasional courses on Saturday or Sunday – 11 am to 5 pm.

    The more people who want these courses the more we will put on. So if you are interested in repeating another workshop you’ve attended, or would like to suggest one, please email [email protected].