C3165 - Explore: pottery and ceramics – develop personal direction

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Start Date: 20/04/2027      End Date: 22/06/2027        Start Time: 10:00      End Time: 12:30        Hours per Week: 2.50      No of Weeks: 9
Fees:      £287.00 (tuition)     £316.00 (overseas)     £287.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Basil Olton        No of Places: 6
Shadwell Centre

Course Overview

Course Overview
The course is carefully structured to support your learning each week. You will take part in demonstrations, guided tasks and group discussion, while continuing to develop your own unique project. This is not an open workshop—you will build your skills step by step, with clear guidance and support
You will learn how to plan your work across sessions, manage your time and materials, and refine your outcomes through testing, feedback and revision. By the end of the course, you will have produced a small, coherent body of ceramic work that shows your progress and ideas.
This course also supports your ongoing pathway, helping you prepare for further study, more independent practice or future creative opportunities.
Please note: This course is for learning and development, not for producing large quantities of work. Materials and firings are limited, large scale pieces are not suitable for developing connected ceramic pieces due to the time limitations of the course.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Plan and develop a ceramic project across several weeks
* Refine form, surface and glaze choices to reflect your ideas
* Produce a small, connected group of finished ceramic pieces
* IRecord and reflect on your creative process
* Identify next steps for further development in your ceramics practice
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements except a commitment to attend each week on time and develop skills learnt outside of class time.
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
We will provide basic materials, but not large amounts of clay or specialist glazes. You may need to purchase your own specialist materials.
Prosp User 9

How will you know you are making progress?

How will you know you are making progress?
You will have an ‘Individual Learning Plan’ where the course learning outcomes are shown and
where you can set individual learning goals and monitor your own progress against these.
You will need to evaluate your own progress and manage your time.
Your tutor will give ongoing feedback and will keep you informed of your progress.
Prosp User 12
At the beginning of the course an initial assessment takes place to identify your level of
experience knowledge or current skills.
The tutor will carry out informal assessments to check your understanding, there is no exam.
You will complete a self-assessment at the beginning, middle and end of the course.
Your tutor will let you know how you are getting on throughout the course to you will help you
work to your full potential.
At the end of the course you will receive written feedback.
Prosp User 11

Progress opportunities - your next steps

Progress opportunities - your next steps
After completing this course, you can continue on Explore level courses or progress to Emerging Personal and Professional Practice level courses.. Please see our website 'Idea Store - Learning' for further information on a range of Visual Arts courses or speak with your tutor. Your tutor will support you in researching these and other courses outside of Idea Store Learning.
Prosp User 10

Other info

Other info
We have high expectations regarding attendance and punctuality. We expect 100% attendance for all scheduled sessions and that you do so punctually and are ready to start learning at the start of the class.
We acknowledge the rare occasions when that will not be possible, please inform us before the class by emailing ideastoreadmin@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Prosp User 13

Extra Support

Extra Support
If you have declared a learning difficulty, disability or support need whilst enrolling and you require support/assistance in class or to complete your course, please discuss your needs with your tutor at the first lesson.
If you intend to take an examination and feel you have an additional learning need or special requirements, you must declare them to your tutor within the first 2 weeks of your course. If you are studying in an online group, then you can arrange a one-to-one online discussion with your tutor, after the session, or by email. Where we aim to make reasonable adjustments to support our learners, please note we are unable to provide any type of in class or in person support if your course takes place online.
Prosp User 14