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Summer School 2026

Make this summer count.

Our Summer School 2026 programme brings together a range of short, engaging courses designed to help you learn something new, build confidence, and explore your creativity – all in a supportive adult learning environment. Whether you’re developing skills for work, rediscovering a passion, or simply trying something different, there’s something here for you.

Why join our Summer School?


• Short courses designed to fit around your summer
• Expert tutors and a friendly, adult-focused learning environment
• Creative, practical and skills-based subjects to choose from
• A great way to meet new people and try something new

Explore the courses below and find your summer start.

Summer Courses

Browse our courses running this summer
Absolute beginners Upholstery Class – 1 Day Course
Start Date: Monday, 15th June 2026
Plus 17 alternative start dates
Time: 10am-4pm Fri
Duration: 1 day
Level: 3
Cost: £83
The course is a basic introduction to the joys of upholstery, learning some simple techniques and an understanding of what materials are used in that chair you’re sitting on.
Block Printing, Painting and Image Transfer for Textiles – Summer School
Start Date: Friday, 10th July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-5pm Fri
Duration: 1 day
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £79 / £55
Want to explore your creativity and learn a new skill? This summer school is perfect for anyone interested in textile design and printing. You'll be introduced to block printing, painting directly onto fabric, and heat transfer techniques. Discover...
Build your own Terrarium
Start Date: Friday, 26th June 2026
Plus 3 alternative start dates
Time: 1pm-3pm Fri
Duration: 1 day
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £41 / £28
Ever wondered how terrariums work and how they thrive on their own? In this course, you'll discover the secrets of these self-contained ecosystems and learn how to care for them. Perfect for plant lovers and beginners alike, you'll gain the...
Ceramic Handbuilding & Throwing – Intermediate – Summer School
Start Date: Monday, 27th July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-4pm Mon, 10am-4pm Tue, 10am-4pm Wed, 10am-4pm Thu, 10am-4pm Fri
Duration: 5 days
Level: 2
Cost: £251
No places available
Want to take your ceramic skills to the next level? This one-week summer school is designed to introduce you to exciting ceramic decorating techniques. You'll learn to decorate soft, leather-hard, and fired clay, opening up a world of creative...
Ceramics – Surface Decoration Workshop Improvers / Intermediate
Start Date: Tuesday, 21st July 2026
Time: 10am-4pm Tue
Duration: 1 day
Level: 3
Cost: £61
This course is all about how to add surface decoration to your projects, using slips, underglazes and oxides. We will explore adding textures, mono-printing and paper resist techniques to decorate different layers. It would be helpful that...
Ceramics Tableware
Start Date: Monday, 13th July 2026
Time: 10am-4pm Mon, 10am-4pm Tue, 10am-4pm Wed, 10am-4pm Thu
Duration: 4 days
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £213 / £148
This intensive, four-day course teaches you the secrets of professional studio production. You will throw in high-volume batches to build fast muscle memory and sharp technical precision. Over four days, you will learn the "Three-Pull" rule to make...
Ceramics Throwing Week – Beginners – Summer School
Start Date: Monday, 20th July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-4pm Mon, 10am-4pm Tue, 10am-4pm Wed, 10am-4pm Thu, 10am-4pm Fri
Duration: 5 days
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £277 / £193
No places available
Want to learn the art of pottery throwing? This fun, practical beginner's course will give you a solid understanding of throwing on the wheel. Over five days, you'll create your own set of mugs and/or bowls. This concentrated practice, guided by a...
Clothesmaking for Beginners
Start Date: Monday, 27th July 2026
Plus 7 alternative start dates
Time: 10am-1pm Mon
Duration: 3 days
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £202 / £141
Ever felt like you cannot find the clothes you would like to wear in the shops? This 6-week beginners sewing course is the first step in creating your own clothing, textile products and accessories. You will be taught the skills to start making...
Essential clothing Repair
Start Date: Wednesday, 22nd July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-4pm Wed
Duration: 1 day
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £59 / £41
Learn the fundamental skills needed to extend the life of your clothes in this hands-on workshop. You’ll explore practical textile repair techniques, including mending small tears, sewing on buttons, fixing buttonholes, and quick patching...
Exploring Colour – Intensive Workshop
Start Date: Monday, 20th July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-4pm Mon, 10am-4pm Tue, 10am-4pm Wed, 10am-4pm Thu, 10am-4pm Fri
Duration: 5 days
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £251 / £175
This three-day intensive workshop is designed for both beginners who want to learn the basics of colour mixing and artists with some experience that want to transform their understanding and use of colour. Through a dynamic mix of focused theory,...
Figurative Sculpture Summer School
Start Date: Monday, 20th July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-4pm Mon, 10am-4pm Tue, 10am-4pm Wed, 10am-4pm Thu, 10am-4pm Fri
Duration: 5 days
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £240 / £168
You will be introduced to portraiture techniques in clay, from observation using a life model. This course is a lovely way to get an introduction to figurative sculpture in an intensive, enjoyable way, or to refine the skills you already have over a...
Intensive Watercolour
Start Date: Monday, 20th July 2026
Time: 10am-4pm Mon, 10am-4pm Tue, 10am-4pm Wed, 10am-4pm Thu
Duration: 4 days
Level: 3
Cost: £202
Limited places available
Explore the beautiful possibilities of watercolour through experimentation and guided exercises. Improve your paint handling abilities, explore different techniques, and discover new ways of applying watercolour in this intensive short course....
Introduction to Bookbinding
Start Date: Thursday, 11th June 2026
Plus 6 alternative start dates
End Date: Thursday, 9th July 2026
Time: 10am-1pm Thu
Duration: 5 weeks
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £173 / £121
Ever wanted to create your own beautiful, hand-bound books? This course introduces you to the rewarding craft of bookbinding. You'll gain hands-on experience with different materials and techniques, learning to create unique books, pamphlets, and...
Introduction to Sewing & Clothesmaking
Start Date: Monday, 15th June 2026
Plus 6 alternative start dates
End Date: Monday, 6th July 2026
Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm Mon
Duration: 4 weeks
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £136 / £95
Learn the essentials of machine sewing in this beginner-friendly course. You’ll gain confidence threading a machine, winding a bobbin, and troubleshooting common stitch errors while practicing key techniques producing straight seams, zig-zag...
Papier Mache Creatures from Recycled Materials
Start Date: Tuesday, 21st July 2026
Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm Tue, 12:30pm-3:30pm Wed, 12:30pm-3:30pm Thu
Duration: 3 days
Level: 1
Cost: £110
A course suited to all levels, this introductory programme explores the creative possibilities of papier mâché using recycled and sustainable materials. You will learn how to transform everyday waste—such as newspapers, cardboard, plastic...
Planting Design – Introduction
Start Date: Friday, 13th November 2026
Plus 2 alternative start dates
End Date: Friday, 11th December 2026
Time: 10am-12pm Fri
Duration: 5 weeks
Level: Entry
Cost: £110 / £77
Want to create beautiful outdoor spaces with stunning plant combinations? This intensive introduction will teach you how to choose the right plants for year-round colour and interest. Whether you're designing container gardens for a balcony or...
Pocket Sewing Workshop
Start Date: Monday, 20th July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-4pm Mon
Duration: 1 day
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £59 / £41
In this workshop, participants will learn how to add pockets to their beloved garments. Whether you're interested in sewing kangaroo pockets onto sweaters, attaching patch pockets to jeans or tote bags, or incorporating side-seam pockets into...
Sashiko Stitching Course
Start Date: Thursday, 23rd July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-4pm Thu
Duration: 1 day
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £59 / £41
Celebrate wear and repair! In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll explore Japanese Sashiko stitching and Boro patching to give new life to old clothes. No experience needed—just bring a garment to repair.
Seasonal Gardening What and When to Plant
Start Date: Friday, 17th July 2026
Time: 10am-1pm Fri
Duration: 1 day
Level: Entry
Cost: £40 / £27
New to gardening and wondering what you need to be doing in your garden at different times in the year? Whether its flowers, vegetables or shrubs you re interested in, this series of workshops can help get you started or develop your gardening...
Sewing and Clothesmaking – Intermediate
Start Date: Tuesday, 16th June 2026
Plus 6 alternative start dates
End Date: Tuesday, 21st July 2026
Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm Tue
Duration: 6 weeks
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £189 / £132
Our fun, practical course will ensure you become confident making clothing to fit. You will reach a higher level of competence using commercial patterns, plus choosing fabrics and styles that compliment you. You can work on the class project of a...
Shibori Dyeing Techniques for Clothing and Textiles – Summer School
Start Date: Thursday, 16th July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-5pm Thu
Duration: 1 day
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £79 / £55
Want to explore a beautiful and ancient art form? This summer school offers an immersive introduction to Shibori, the traditional Japanese dyeing technique. You'll learn how to create unique patterns on fabric through stitching, binding, and dyeing....
Silk Painting for Handkerchiefs, Scarves and Cushions – Summer School
Start Date: Wednesday, 15th July 2026
Plus 1 alternative start date
Time: 10am-5pm Wed
Duration: 1 day
Level: Non Accredited
Cost: £84 / £58
Want to explore the vibrant world of silk painting? This immersive workshop is perfect for you! Discover various silk painting techniques and create your own unique piece to take home. Whether you're a complete beginner or have some artistic...
Upholstery – Intensive
Start Date: Monday, 13th July 2026
Plus 10 alternative start dates
Time: 10am-5pm Mon, 10am-5pm Tue, 10am-5pm Wed, 10am-5pm Thu, 10am-5pm Fri
Duration: 5 days
Level: 3
Cost: £405
No places available
What is upholstery? Rebuilding and or recovering a piece of furniture either modern or traditional. The four or five-day intensive course is suitable for all levels of upholstery skills, from beginners to those with some experience. Both...