This course is designed for learners who have had at least 3 years of previous experience of ceramic construction and decorating techniques. You will need to buy and build your own tool set, although we do sell a basic set at cost price, or your tutor can recommend alternatives. Firing and glazing of work is included in the fee, based on weight when bone dry and paid for via our internal payment system. Please note that we are not able to fire work that is not made in college, so do not bring items from home or elsewhere, even if the clay originated in college. You cannot bring in your own clay to use and must use the clays we provide. Learners on Intermediate/Advanced classes can buy and use provided specialist clays e.g. black clay, porcelain. These must be bought in advance from the tutor, and learners must manage their own reclaim. All glazes are provided, and learners may bring in CONTEM underglazes if they want additional colours. Please check with your tutor if you are not sure. You are only able to bring in your own glazes if you are on an Intermediate/Advanced course, and these need to be vetted first by your tutor for toxicity and compatibility with our firing temperatures and tested before use. Please bring your own apron, or dress appropriately. If you are interested in a specialist technique not listed or described in the course description, please contact ArtsSchool@wmcollege.ac.uk before enrolling to find out if it is possible for us to accommodate this.

By the end of the course, you will: recognise and demonstrate Health and Safety in class; hand build and throw on the potters wheel to create functional, decorative or sculptural ceramics; explore the properties of and use specialist clay bodies; experiment with a variety of traditional and specialist decorative techniques; make work in response to set projects or realise your own projects; and be able to critically evaluate your practice.

Methods used include: demonstrations, class discussions, practical tasks, knowledge sharing, individual tutorials, hand outs, slide shows and videos. You will be given feedback on your progress throughout. If you have additional learning support needs, you will be signposted to support. At the end of the course, the tutor will assess your progress and advise you on the next step. All resources used within each lesson are available electronically. Your tutor will suggest optional reading and exhibitions you can visit in your own time. You will be encouraged to keep notes and a sketchbook. Your tutor will also discuss ideas with you individually to help extend your study and for ongoing independent projects and research. Your tutor will also recommend exhibitions, literature and websites for you to visit to enrich your study.

There is no exam or formal assessment for this course. However, you will work with your tutor to identify your aims at the beginning of the session and will receive one to one feedback throughout as well as sharing outcomes at the end of the course. The tutor will discuss your progression plans with you and make suggestions where appropriate

Once you have completed the course, you may choose to enrol on a further term in this subject or another subject. Advice and Guidance for all further study is available from the Curriculum Manager by request.

You may be eligible for fee reductions or one of our bursaries, please check the Information and Advice section of our website to find out more.

Teachers are supported to ensure their materials are inclusive to meet learners’ needs. Provision of assistive equipment is available and access support can be provided through reasonable adjustments, subject to an interview with the ALS team and/or the Disability Officer. Digital Learning support is available in the Learning Centre.

We offer free support with finding a job, including 1-1 support with job applications, creating a CV or improving your interview skills, as well as advice about progression opportunities. Visit the website for more information or to book an appointment with our Employability Coach.

There are regular cross-college events, external speaker visits, exhibitions, and opportunities for you to get involved in college life. Look out for adverts around the college, iLearn or sign up to Our Newsletter via the website.