Course overview

This ceramics course is designed for adults with little or no prior experience. Over the duration of the course, students will explore foundational ceramic techniques including hand-building, slab construction, coil building, and basic wheel-throwing. Participants will also learn essential skills such as surface decoration and glazing to finish their pieces. The course encourages creativity, experimentation, and personal expression while providing a supportive learning environment. By the end, students will have developed confidence in working with clay and created a range of functional and decorative ceramic items.

Course requirements

What will I do?

Pinch Pots Learn the fundamental hand-building technique of pinch pots by shaping clay with your fingers. This exercise helps develop a feel for the material as you create simple, rounded forms perfect for bowls or small containers. Coil Pots Discover how to build pots by rolling clay into long coils and stacking them to form walls. You'll practice joining coils securely and smoothing surfaces to create both functional and artistic pieces with varied shapes. Slab Pots Explore slab construction by rolling out flat sheets of clay and cutting them into shapes. You'll learn how to assemble these pieces into geometric pots or containers, using scoring and slip to join edges neatly. Clay Natural Forms Experiment with making clay pieces inspired by natural objects like leaves, shells, or stones. This project encourages observation and creativity, focusing on texture, organic shapes, and surface decoration techniques. Model Making Develop skills in sculpting and modelling by creating small clay figures or abstract forms. This helps build hand-eye coordination and confidence in manipulating clay beyond basic pottery shapes. Final Creation Apply everything you've learned to design and complete a final ceramic piece of your choice. Whether functional or decorative, this project showcases your personal style and mastery of hand-building techniques, finishing with glazing and firing.

What will it give me?

You will gain a Level 1 accredited certificate.

Materials needed

All basic materials will be provided

What can I do when I finish?

What next?

If you would like to apply, please click the "Apply Now" section below and follow the steps. Thank you!