WHEEL THROWING COURSE | 5 WEEK FUNDAMENTALS
This 5-week guided throwing course provides a structured and progressive introduction to the fundamentals of working on the potter’s wheel.
In a supportive, small-group environment, you’ll develop core wheel-throwing skills through weekly demonstrations, guided practice, and individual tuition. You will learn throwing, trimming, decorating, and glazing while building confidence, improving control with clay, and establishing a strong foundation in wheel-thrown ceramics.
Suitable for ages 16+, this course is ideal for those progressing from a taster or half-day workshop and ready for a more in-depth, structured learning environment.
Class sizes are limited to 10 students, ensuring plenty of individual guidance and tailored support throughout.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Studio Practice & Safety
Learn how to work safely and efficiently in a pottery studio, including an introduction to essential tools, materials and equipment.
Wheel Throwing Fundamentals
Learn the key stages of wheel throwing, including centring, opening, pulling, and shaping clay. Develop the ability to create simple functional forms such as cylinders and bowls.
Trimming, Refining & Assembly
Discover how to refine your thrown pieces, improving form, balance, and finish through careful trimming. You will also be introduced to assembly techniques such as adding handles, attaching sprigs and decorative elements to your work.
Surface Decoration & Glazing
Explore simple surface decoration techniques including sgraffito using slips and gain an introduction to glazing. Your finished work will be glazed and fired, ready for collection approximately 4–5 weeks after the course ends.
COURSE INFORMATION
Upcoming course intakes:
Wednesday 16th September – 14th October
Wednesday 4th November – 2nd December
Time: 10.30am – 12.45pm
(includes 15 minutes at the end for cleaning and tidy-up)
Duration: 5 weekly sessions per course
COST
£250 early release price
Please note we are unable to offer catch-up sessions for missed classes or allow students to swap course dates once a course has begun.
MATERIALS
Students will use our house stoneware clay and have access to a full range of tools, slips, and a selection of studio glazes. Please bring a plastic storage box each week to safely transport and store your work between sessions.
The course includes firing and glazing of three finished pieces. Additional work may be kept for a small additional fee to cover bisque firing and glazing.
For environmental reasons, we encourage students to only fire pieces they genuinely wish to keep, as firing is an irreversible process. Clay can be recycled repeatedly before firing, and we are committed to minimising waste and recycling materials wherever possible within the studio.
We recommend wearing clothing and footwear you don’t mind getting clay on (clay is fully washable and does not stain).
PROGRESSION
After completing this course, you may wish to continue your development on our Intermediate Wheel Throwing Course. This follow-on course is designed for students ready to build on the fundamentals, refine their technique, and develop greater control, consistency, and scale on the wheel.
HOW TO BOOK
Please use the booking calendar below. Available course start dates shown in green.
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