Pottery for Beginners and Improvers (fee includes clay)
Pottery for Beginners and Improvers (fee includes clay)
£238.00
Start Date: Mon 28-Apr-2025 |
End Date: Mon 14-Jul-2025 |
Course Time: 10:00 - 12:00 |
Course Duration (Weeks): 10 |
Course (Sessions): Morning |
Course Code: POTC003-2425-3BU-D |
What will I learn?
This pottery course aims to give you a working knowledge of all aspects of the potter’s craft. Techniques covered will be slab building, moulding, coiling, pinching, modelling and throwing. You will be guided in the choice of items suitable for your level of skill, knowledge and direction of development, at each stage of the course.You will follow through from an initial idea to completion, including basic design development; construction; the use of decoration with colours, glazes, slips, underglazes, oxides, sprigs and textures. Methods will be presented by demonstrations; books; handouts, and examples of existing finished items, enabling everyone to produce their own personal results according to their own ability and ideas.
Is this course for me?
This pottery course is for complete beginners and those with a little experience in ceramics, who wish to experience the creative and absorbing possibilities offered using clay. This course can be used to gain confidence and relaxation. Learners with more experience are also welcome.During the course, the tutor will provide small group demonstrations and individual support to ensure that learners can work at their own level and at their own pace.
What do I need to bring?
Please bring an apron or old shirt to use as an overall.
How will I know that my skills have improved?
At the start, you will decide (with help from your tutor) what you want to get out of the course. You will have the opportunity to review your progress and at the end of the course you will have the chance to reflect on what you have learnt and how your skills have improved.
Additional Information
Additional costs: the fee includes the cost of clay, glazes and firing.
Course Code: POTC003-2425-3BU-D
I will need support/help with my learning, what is available?
We will always try to help if you have a physical disability or learning support need. Please see our Learning Support section for more details. Let us know when you enrol and speak to us in confidence to discuss your needs in full.
What happens if I can't attend my class?
It is important to attend your class promptly and regularly but:
- If you know you will be missing a class, please let your tutor know the week before if possible
- For last minute cancellations, please phone us on 01296 382403 and we will attempt and get a message to your tutor
If you miss a few sessions without letting us know, our staff will contact you to discuss the situation. If you are having any problems which affect your attendance or learning, please let your tutor know as soon as possible.
When do I pay for my course?
Payment is needed at enrolment to secure your course place. You can pay by cheque or debit/credit card (an administration fee of £30 will apply for dishonoured cheques).
If the course runs for 25 weeks or more you can spread the cost by paying in 3 equal instalments. You will need to pay the first instalment by credit/debit card, cheque or cash at the time of enrolling which will secure your place on the course. We will then send you a Direct Debit mandate. For courses over £150 but less than 25 weeks, you can still apply to pay by instalments.
Fees in the brochure with an * include exam costs. In all other circumstances, except for basic English and Maths learners will need to pay an additional fee for exams. The amount will be shown on the Course Information Sheet (CIS). Our fees are subsidised by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (funding body). Once you have enrolled, you will be given a receipt, a map and a CIS to confirm your place on the course. Please note, an annual £10.50 registration fee applies upon enrolment.
Can I get a qualification?
Look through our course titles and you will see many lead to a qualification. For some of these you have to take an exam.
Can I get a refund?
If it becomes necessary to either cancel or close your course within the first three weeks, for example due to low numbers, we will refund your fees in full.
Where courses are closed after the first 3 weeks, a pro-rata refund will be made to any student attending at the time who has attended at least 80% of their sessions. We will endeavour to let you know as soon as possible and any refund due will be made by crediting your credit/debit card or by cheque. It is not possible to make refunds in cash. All cancellations will be confirmed to you in writing or email.
If you change your mind and wish to withdraw from a course before attending a session, a full refund will be given within 5 days of enrolling. If the request is made at least 15 days before the course begins, a full refund less £25 to cover administration fee will be returned to you.
It may occasionally be necessary, for reasons beyond the control of Buckinghamshire Adult Learning, to change the course tutor, make slight changes to the timing or content of the programme, or move the course to an alternative venue within a reasonable distance of the advertised venue. Refunds will only be given in exceptional circumstances.
Can a course or class get cancelled?
Course cancellation: The minimum number of students for most of our courses is 9. If a class does not reach its minimum number of students, we may cancel the course or offer you the opportunity to reduce the number of weeks with no corresponding reduction in fee, or we may increase the fee to the small group rate of £9.50 per hour as an alternative to closing the class.
Class cancellation: Where a session is cancelled, for reasons beyond the control of Buckinghamshire Adult Learning, for example, if a staff member is unwell or extreme weather conditions, we will try to offer an additional class at another time. We will promptly contact you if this happens. If the majority of the students are able to attend the alternative session then no refund will be given for the missed session.
Bad weather cancellation: In the event of extreme weather conditions, information will be available on local radio station Three Counties Radio, by phoning 01296 382403 and the website.
I am an Overseas learner - Do I need to pay anything extra?
Learners who have not been living in the UK or EU residents who have not been living in the EEA for at least three years will need to pay the Overseas Student Rate for any course which is £12.00 per hour.
What parking is available at my course?
Many of our centres offer free parking but please note that in some cases this may be limited/unavailable during the daytime.
We ask all our learners to park considerately, especially at smaller venues, to avoid causing difficulty or offence to the neighbours. Special parking restrictions will be notified to all learners at venues where they may apply.
For more information on our centres including parking availability please visit our Centre Locations page.
Can I use my mobile phone in class?
Before your session begins, please either switch off or silence your mobile phone to avoid disturbing the group.
What previous learners have said
Thoroughly enjoyed the taster pottery course. The tutor was patient with us, facilities superb, great venue.Tutor is very informative and aware of any special needs any people attending. I have been encouraged to enjoy glazing and using underglazes to enhance my ceramic studys; June2021 ElizabethI have benefitted from increased social contact and maintained my mental health. It has enabled me to use my hands and maintain my dexterity.Taking up pottery has given me back a sense of fun, learning exploration and develop my creative side. It has given me a better life balance and makes me a happier person.Academic Year Learner Registration Fee
There is an academic year learner registration fee of £10.50. Each academic year begins in August and finishes the following July. For learners on benefits who are unable to pay, this fee may be remitted on application for support from our Learner Support Fund.If you have not already paid this fee then it will automatically be added to your basket.£238.00
Start Date: Mon 28-Apr-2025 |
End Date: Mon 14-Jul-2025 |
Course Time: 10:00 - 12:00 |
Course Duration (Weeks): 10 |
Course (Sessions): Morning |
Course Code: POTC003-2425-3BU-D |
£238.00
Start Date: Mon 28-Apr-2025 |
End Date: Mon 14-Jul-2025 |
Course Time: 10:00 - 12:00 |
Course Duration (Weeks): 10 |
Course (Sessions): Morning |
Course Code: POTC003-2425-3BU-D |