The Ceramic Studio is a relaxed and friendly environment, but we do need some rules in order for our classes to run efficiently. By attending classes at The Ceramic Studio you are agreeing to abide by these rules and our Terms & Conditions.

Studio Times

Morning session: 9.30am-12.30pm

Afternoon session: 1pm-4pm

Early Evening session: 4pm-7pm

Evening session: 7pm-10pm

General Housekeeping

  • Please note the start and end time for your session and be aware that tutors and staff have a short window to ensure that the studio is prepared for the next session.

  • Ceramics is not an exact science. Results can vary and can be unpredictable.

  • Please ensure you complete the Student Details survey at the start of each term.

  • We take photos/videos of life at the studio as well as of student work. These are often used on social media. If you would rather not be involved in this please let us know.

  • If you need to miss a session, please contact us by email or speak to a member of staff in the studio and we will do our best to organise a catch-up session. All catch-up sessions are untutored and use of a wheel cannot be guaranteed. A calendar will be provided with available dates. We are, however, unable to carry sessions over from one term to the next.

  • If you decide not to continue to the next term please let us know as soon as possible.

  • Please be aware that if you decide not to return after a course, or choose to take a term out, we will only be able store your work for one month.

Equipment & Workspaces

  • Please ensure any tools you have used are cleaned and put back where they belong.

  • Please make sure that you clean your workspace when you have finished your session and leave it how you would like to find it.

  • Please do not remove any tools, books or other equipment from the studio without prior permission.

Health & Safety

  • Please wear appropriate clothing, including suitable ‘closed toe’ shoes.

  • Bring an apron or old shirt to protect your clothing.

  • Please bring your own towel if you like to use one when using a wheel.

  • Please leave valuable jewellery at home.

  • Please speak to a member of staff if you need use of a first aid kit.

  • Masks are provided for sanding and this should always be done outside or over a sink with running water.

  • Please refrain from eating and drinking around the work areas.

  • When cleaning the wheels please ensure that they are switched off.

  • Always clean with a damp sponge/cloth and do not sweep as clay dust can be bad for your health.

  • Please ensure that corks are replaced on any sharp tools after use.

  • The extruder handle should always be removed after use.

  • Always wear a mask when using oxides and do not use if you are pregnant (it is important that you inform staff if you are pregnant).

  • There is no unauthorised entry to the kiln area.

  • The meeting point in the event of an evacuation from the studio is in the car park by the brown shipping containers.

Glazing

  • If any slips, stains, oxides or glazes are running low please speak to staff. We may well have more elsewhere or we will do our best to replenish as soon as is possible.

  • The Botz brush on glazes only work well for small intricate decorating, please do not use these in large quantities. We have stains and slips that work much better on bigger pieces (and at a fraction of the cost).

  • Check with staff before double-dipping or combining glazes.

  • Please make sure that the bases of your work are well wiped and free from any glaze.

  • If student work damages the kiln shelves, due to a glazing error, we will request a contribution to repair or replace the damaged shelf or shelves. The glazing fees will still also apply.

  • When using glazes, slips and oxides please use the glazing sink to clean your equipment.

FIRED WORK

  • We may refuse to fire work if we consider that this would be a risk to other work and/or our kilns.

  • We do not offer a firing service for work produced outside of the studio.

  • There is a small charge for fired work. Charges are as follows:

£5 per 500g for glazed work

£6 per 500g for glazed work with oxide

£10 per 500g for any glazed work over 30cm in height or width

£2 per 500g for work that is bisque fired but not glazed

  • Please also note that The Ceramic Studio does not offer a glazing service.


catch-up policy

We offer a catch-up service for any missed termly classes. We only have capacity for a small number of catch-up students per session, and catch-ups are not available in all of our sessions, so advance booking is always required. In order to book a catch-up students must contact info@theceramicstudio.co.uk or speak to a member of staff.

Catch-ups are untutored and use of a wheel cannot be guaranteed. We also ask that catch-up students do not use the glazing area. Any catch-up sessions must be taken within the term the class was missed - we cannot carry over any catch-up sessions into another term.

Separate ‘Glazing Sessions’ can be booked if required, but this must be discussed with a member of staff before booking.

Student Work

  • Please be very careful when moving your work or looking for your project. Do not pick up work that doesn’t belong to you.

  • Any work thrown on the wheel needs to be left on the shelves and will be wrapped up the following day. This is because newly thrown work can get distorted.

  • Wrapped bags contain fragile student work.

  • Any work that has not been bisque fired is extremely delicate.

  • Please be aware that if you decide not to return after a course, or choose to take a term out, we will only be able store your work for one month.

Recycled Clay

  • We have different recycling bins provided for clay (ie bins for soft clay, bins for hard clay, bins for slurry). Please make sure clay is placed in the correct bin. If hard clay is mixed with soft clay it is very difficult to recycle (please ask if you are not sure).