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Ceramics: All About Tea!
Master the essential techniques of ceramic hand-building on our “All About Tea!” course – a practical, project-focused class designed to teach you foundational skills in slab work, coiling and construction. You will move from raw material to finished, functional vessels, learning the necessary steps and precision required at every stage of the making process to craft durable, beautiful and unique pieces.

We understand that some people will work more quickly or slowly than others. Therefore, more pieces can be made, depending upon the time available. By the end of the course, you will have had the opportunity to complete a collection of several pieces, including a milk jug, mug, bowl, plate and tea strainer.

This is a step-by-step, teacher-led course, ensuring everyone progresses together. As well as exploring and practising essential techniques, you will also learn how to incorporate stunning texture, additions and patterns. Beyond construction, you'll master the art of decoration using glazes to bring your creations to life. Whilst you'll all be working on similar projects, you'll have ample opportunity to infuse your own creative flair through personalised decoration.

As well as gaining the opportunity to make lovely pieces of ceramics for your home, working with clay is a satisfying, focused process that offers a great sense of wellbeing and accomplishment.

Weekly focus:

Week 1: Foundations and forming – slab rolling, coiling, pinch pot techniques necessary for creating forms.

Week 2: Construction and detailing – texturing, construction/ensemble, reinforcement, handle attachment, surface decoration, clay carving.

Week 3: Refinement and finishing – as above to include various finishing techniques. Bonus project, if time allows.

Week 4: Slab work and final pieces – plate making, slab skill practice.

Week 5: Return to class for the final session on glazing.

Come back on the collection date to pick up your glazed work. Enjoy!!
Prosp User 3
This course is ideally suited to beginners or to those who are relatively new to the craft.
Prosp User 4
Clay and glazes are provided at an additional cost of £15.00 per student. This is payable in cash to the tutor at the first session.

Please bring along a sketch/notepad and a pencil.

Your tutor will guide you on the health and safety etiquette of the classroom and the appropriate use of all materials and equipment.

As this is a ceramics course, please come to class wearing clothes that you do not mind getting dirty or bring an apron. Please also avoid wearing sandals.

If you are claiming a Means Tested Benefit fee reduction or enrolling via social prescription, there is financial help available to help pay for the cost of your materials: click here for more information.
Prosp User 5
This course is structured to allow time for learning and making, with breaks for drying and firing, as follows:

Week 1: 19 January 2026 - Making Week 1
Week 2: 26 January 2026 - Making Week 2
Week 3: 2 February 2026 - Making Week 3
Week 4: 9 February 2026 - Making Week 4
Week 5: 2 March 2026 - Glazing Week
Collection Week: 23 March 2026

To find your classroom, please come to the main reception at the front of York High School. This is on your right at the beginning of the road leading into the car park. The green perimeter gates will be open, and the main reception is to your left once you have passed through the green gates.

Please ensure that you read and understand the health and safety guidelines on any creative product that you intend to use during the course.
Prosp User 6

In order to support keeping York moving, consider travelling to your course by bus or bike. Click here to check out the bus routes closest to the venue for this course using the iTravel website, or discover York's cycle routes by clicking here.
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Alongside gaining course-specific skills, you will develop and showcase transferable skills that boost your confidence, employability, and ability to engage in further learning or volunteering.
Alongside gaining course-specific skills, you will develop and showcase transferable skills that boost your confidence, employability, and ability to engage in further learning or volunteering.
Employers highly value these transferable skills because they equip employees to excel beyond their basic job roles.
Employers highly value these transferable skills because they equip employees to excel beyond their basic job roles.
Prosp User 8

Learners who live in devolved authorities

Learners who live in devolved authorities
York Learning receives government funding which allows us to offer courses at a lower cost. The guidelines relating to devolution means that we cannot apply this funding to learners who live in devolved areas such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
York Learning receives government funding which allows us to offer courses at a lower cost. The guidelines relating to devolution means that we cannot apply this funding to learners who live in devolved areas such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
If you live outside of this area, we recommend that, before committing to a course with York Learning, you explore options to study the course in your local area.
If you live outside of this area, we recommend that, before committing to a course with York Learning, you explore options to study the course in your local area.
If you would prefer to continue your learning with York Learning please note that the price of the course could be double the advertised cost.
If you would prefer to continue your learning with York Learning please note that the price of the course could be double the advertised cost.
In this case, please contact us on 01904 554277 to complete your enrolment.
In this case, please contact us on 01904 554277 to complete your enrolment.

Learners under the age of 19

Learners under the age of 19
Please note that Adult Education funding is for individuals who are over the age of 19 on the 31st of August prior to the start date of their course.
Please note that Adult Education funding is for individuals who are over the age of 19 on the 31st of August prior to the start date of their course.
This means that there will be an additional cost for learners who are under 19 who wish to access funded courses.
This means that there will be an additional cost for learners who are under 19 who wish to access funded courses.
For safeguarding reasons, we cannot accept learners who are under 18 on courses except by prior arrangement. This does not apply to programmes which are designed for 16-18s.
For safeguarding reasons, we cannot accept learners who are under 18 on courses except by prior arrangement. This does not apply to programmes which are designed for 16-18s.
If you are under the age of 19, please contact us on 01904 554277 before booking.
If you are under the age of 19, please contact us on 01904 554277 before booking.
AT2/RN5
19/01/2026
23/03/2026
18:30 - 21:00
Monday
2.50 hrs per wk
5 weeks
Ellie Bradley
140.00
£140.00 if in receipt of the State Pension; a 65% discount of the full fee is available for people in receipt of certain means-tested benefits