6-Week Beginner Wheel Throwing Course (Level 1)

Six weeks at the wheel, from zero

Immerse yourself in wheel throwing with our six-week hands-on course, designed for complete beginners. Guided by skilled instructors, you learn centring, shaping and trimming on the potter's wheel. Each session builds on the last, and by the end you take home beautifully glazed pieces you made yourself.

Course details

• Duration: six weeks, five consecutive weekly classes, a one-week break for drying, then the final glazing class
• Cost: £260, all materials and firing included
• Class size: limited to 8 potters
• Clay allowance: one 12kg bag per person, 4 to 6 balls of clay in each class

Week by week

• Week 1: Introduction and centring. Preparing your clay, throwing a pot, centring, opening and pulling up the walls, with plenty of practice time.
• Week 2: Cylinder throwing. Practise centring, then produce a basic cylinder, the shape that prepares you for every kind of pot.
• Week 3: Trimming and turning. Turn your pots on the wheel with a variety of tools as they tidy up into finished forms.
• Week 4: Independent projects. Work on your own vessels using everything you have learnt.
• Week 5: Final making and refinement. Trimming, adding handles and refining all of your pots.
• One-week break so your pieces dry properly and are ready for glazing.
• Week 6: Glazing. Finish all your pots with a beautiful glaze before their second firing.

Good to know

Your finished pieces are ready for collection two to three weeks after the last class, and we hold them for 30 days once we let you know they are ready.