Improvers Pottery Wheel Course in West Sussex | Henfield Pottery

Text graphic with the phrase "IMPROVERS THROWING COURSES" in bold terracotta letters

4 & 6 WEEK COURSES

Ready to move beyond the basics and give your pots a little more ambition?

Our six-week Improvers’ Throwing Course is designed for people who have completed a beginners’ throwing course or already have some experience at the wheel.

Working in a small group of just three students, you’ll develop greater control and consistency, refine your technique and begin tackling more challenging forms. With plenty of individual guidance, you’ll learn how to turn your ideas into thoughtfully made, beautifully finished ceramics.

By the end of the course, you’ll feel more confident working independently at the wheel and have created a collection of functional pieces that reflects your own developing style.

Decorative text that says, 'Learn to throw on the potter's wheel' in cursive green font.

Kayleigh Peters teaching throwing on the wheel, in Henfield Pottery studio, West Sussex

Two hands holding a large, rounded vase part of Henfield Pottery branding

Text reading 'INSIDE THE COURSE' in bold, dark green letters.

Line drawing of a tea cup with a lid and handle.

Line drawing of three different bowls or containers, with one cylinder-shaped, one with a dotted pattern, and a third with a rounded shape.

Add well-made details that fit and function.

Use more clay and throw with confidence.

LARGER FORMS

LIDS & HANDLES

SETS & SERIES

Improve precision from throwing to trimming.

A simple line drawing of a clay bowl and a turning tool

A drawing of a ceramic bowl with a wavy pattern and a squeeze bottle next to it.

A line drawing of a ceramic pot being glazed

Finish your work with greater intention.

SURFACE DESIGN

REFINING

Develop texture, pattern and personality.

GLAZING

An illustration of a peacock part of Henfield Pottery branding

Quote reading, 'Over the next six weeks, you’ll explore:' with a decorative font

A graphic of a star-shape in terracotta, part of Henfield Pottery Branding

Improving centring and clay control

Throwing with larger amounts of clay

Creating taller cylinders and more complex forms

Developing controlled bowl and vessel profiles

Developing greater confidence with glaze selection

A simple illustration of a plant with several leaves and small flowers.

Throwing and fitting lids

Planning and completing more ambitious personal projects

Pulling and attaching handles

Making matching sets and series

Rather than everyone producing identical pieces, you’ll be encouraged to explore your own ideas and develop forms that reflect your individual interests and style.

Close-up of a student throwing clay on a pottery wheel with their hands at Henfield Pottery studio

Text graphic reading 'WHAT IS INCLUDED' in bold, terracotta letters

✔ Six or four weekly sessions (2.5 hours each)

✔ Small group teaching (maximum 3 people)

✔ All clay, tools and equipment

✔ Glazes and firing

✔ Tea, coffee and biscuits

✔ Your finished pieces to collect once fired

Text in terracotta capital letters asking, "Is this course for me?"

Perfect if you:

✔ Have completed our Beginners’ Throwing Course or have equivalent experience

✔ Can centre clay and pull a basic cylinder

✔ Want to improve your control and consistency

✔ Are ready to work with larger amounts of clay

✔ Would like to explore lids, handles and matching sets

✔ Want to refine the finishing and craftsmanship of your pots

✔ Are ready to develop your own ideas and throwing style

Text reading 'Important Information' in bold, terracotta letters

Please wear comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting a little muddy.
Closed-toe shoes are recommended.
Long hair tied back.
Fingernails are best kept fairly short when working with clay.
Your work will need time to dry and be fired after the course. We'll let you know as soon as it's ready to collect.
Pottery is wonderfully unpredictable! While we take every care throughout the firing process, occasionally pieces can crack or break, and unfortunately this is part of working with ceramics.