Courses
We organise regular courses, workshops and private classes for adults and children, suitable for all levels. The space is fully equipped with wheels, large tables, shelving, electric kilns, glazing room and electric heaters. Our regular courses are organised by our experienced teachers, Ewelina Bartkowska, Jake Fisk, Frances Gibson. Dress in practical clothing.
We also offer studio hire for creatives without a suitable space looking to run their own workshops. If you’re interested in bringing a workshop to the studio, please get in touch.
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, 2-5PM
Join Fran and Faye for our monthly Clay Club for clay fun with a seasonal twist! Enjoy Rochester Square’s blooming garden (weather dependant), meet our chatty chickens and unleash creativity through clay!
Sample Session Schedule:
Drawing and designing
Exploring the garden
Clay Games!
Meet the chickens
Technique demonstration
Clay Building
Decorating
Clear up
Frances Gibson is a London-based ceramicist and illustrator.
www.francesgibsonart.com
Faye Macaree is a creative facilitator and practitioner.
Minimum class size is 6 people, if we don’t reach a minimum number of participants we will cancel the class and issue a full refund.
We offer a 20% discount for siblings bookings. To apply the discount, please use the code SIBLINGSRS at checkout.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Unfortunately, we cannot refund classes with less than two weeks' notice. Please note that a £10 administration fee will be charged for each cancellation.
Once the class reaches the minimum capacity we are offering up to x2 free spaces to families facing economic barriers. Places are allocated on first come first serve basis. To book a place please email info@rochestersquare.co.uk
Join us for two hours of throwing on Sundays throughout the year.
Each class focuses on a different form — from cups and plates to vases and teapots — so you can choose the session that suits you best.
These classes are open to beginners as well as more experienced potters, all working on the throwing wheel with guidance from our teachers. Whether you’re learning to throw for the first time, refining your technique, or focusing on a specific project, you’ll feel supported step by step.
We keep the atmosphere friendly, relaxed, and creative, making the sessions suitable for all ages from 12 years old.
We have now paused our Sunday throwing classes for the Summer.
To book:
Scroll through the booking calendar below to select your preferred date and object.
Our Teachers:
Jake Fisk is a multidisciplinary artist and educator who graduated from the Slade School of Art in 2020 and went on to study at the Royal Drawing School. With over five years experience working in ceramics he has turned his hand to teaching with an enthusiasm for sharing his acquired knowledge and skills. Jake works with people of all ages and abilities running drawing classes for the Royal Drawing School with an emphasis on accessibility, enjoyment, experimentation, and creative development. www.jakefisk.co.uk @fake.jisk
Lisa Sjukur is a potter with a background in graphic design. After nearly twenty years as a graphic designer, she realized her true passion was pottery. She specialises in gas and wood firing and regularly wood fires at the anagama kiln at Oxford University. Lisa teaches throwing at all skill levels.
www.lisasjukurceramic.com@lisa_sjukur_ceramic
Ewelina Bartkowska is a technician and artist production manager at Rochester Square, a clay sculptress and a socially engaged artist exploring the transformative power of raw materials. Her practice embraces sustainable processes in ceramics. Ewelina is teaches throwing and handbuilding to students of all skill levels
Barbara Beyer is a Sculptor living and working in London. Barbara is member of the Royal. Society of Sculptors and The London Group. She has been a Studio Member of Rochester Square since 2021. Barbara has shown widely nationally and internationally. barbarabeyer.uk@beyer.ba
Clay and firings included. Basic tools provided, toolsets are also available for purchase HERE and be collected during the class. Minimum 3 people. If we cannot reach this number the class may need to be cancelled, you will be notified and refunded.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Unfortunately, we cannot refund classes with less than two weeks' notice. Please note that a £10 administration fee will be charged for each cancellation.
WEEKDAYS 9:30AM -3:00PM
Fran invites young artists (ages 5–11) to create original clay pieces during a two-day workshop. Participants will learn main making and decorating techniques, producing works that reflect the individuality of each budding artist.
SAMPLE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Day 1
9.30 Drawing, getting to know each other
10.00 Quick clay games!
10.30 Exploring garden
11.00 Snack time and visiting the chickens
11.30 Making
12.00 Lunch time
12.45 Decorating
1.30 Afternoon break
1.50 Games
2.30 Everyone helps to clean up
Day 2
9.30 Drawing and garden games
10.00 Assemble
10.30 Decorate with slip
11.00 Snack time and visiting the chickens
11.30 Decorating
12.00 Lunch time
12.45 More decorating
1.30 Afternoon break
1.50 Games
2.30 Everyone helps to clean up
Frances Gibson is a London-based ceramicist and illustrator.
Minimum class size is 6 people; if we don’t reach a minimum number of participants, we will cancel the class and issue a full refund. All our teachers have been DBS checked.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Unfortunately, we cannot issue refunds for classes with less than two weeks' notice. Please note that a £10 administration fee will be charged for each cancellation.
From £75 per person for 2 hours
Book a private class with one of our teachers. Hand building, wheel throwing, glazing, and other techniques are available for people who have an interest in pottery or ceramics. Expert advice on more advanced techniques is available. Learn basic to advanced skills.
Once you have completed the booking, the teacher will contact you within the next 3-5 working days to arrange the date and time of the class. If you’re hoping to book a class for the next 2-3 days, please be aware our teachers are not always able to respond immediately, so please contact us to enquire, info@rochestersquare.co.uk
Ewelina Bartkowska is a Technician at Rochester Square, a clay sculptress and a socially engaged artist exploring the transformative power of raw materials. Her practice embraces sustainable processes in ceramics. Ewelina teaches throwing and handbuilding to students of all skill levels. She also offers sessions to discuss clay design projects, and provides glazing advice. Please note that as Ewelina’s busy with running things at the Square, she can only accommodate Private Sessions on weekday evenings exept Wednesdays, when she runs her Pottery for All class www.ewelina.uk @clay_diwa
Jake Fisk is a multidisciplinary artist and educator who graduated from the Slade School of Art and the Royal Drawing School. With over five years of experience working in ceramics, he has turned his hand to teaching with an enthusiasm for sharing his acquired knowledge and skills. At Rochester Square, Jake specialises in teaching throwing to beginners and intermediate-skilled potters. He also runs our regular Sunday Throwing classes. www.jakefisk.co.uk @fake.jisk
Lisa Sjukur is a potter with a background in graphic design. After nearly twenty years as a graphic designer, she realized her true passion was pottery. She specialises in gas and wood firing and regularly wood fires at the anagama kiln at Oxford University. Lisa teaches throwing at all skill levels.
www.lisasjukurceramic.com @lisa_sjukur_ceramic
OUR CANCELLATION AND CHANGE OF DATE POLICY: We understand that circumstances can change, and we have allowed for one date change to accommodate that. Any further changes are at the teacher's discretion.
Give the gift of clay! The value of this gift card can be used towards any of the courses and classes we offer here at Rochester Square.
Purchasing this digital gift card creates a unique code. The gift card recipient can enter this code at checkout to subtract the gift card value from their order total.
This gift card never expires.
A 5-week course suitable for all levels (14 years +)
Discover the joy of working with clay in this five-week sculptural ceramics course, designed for all skill levels. Whether you're new to clay or returning to it, this open-studio-style course invites you to explore a balance of structured guidance and personal expression. You’re welcome to follow the curriculum or shape your own creative path as we journey through the material together.
What You'll Explore
Handbuilding Techniques – Discover the expressive possibilities of pinching, coiling, and slab-building
Wheel Throwing – Try your hand at the wheel and explore form in motion
Surface Decoration – Experiment with carving, coloured slips, texture, and turning to enrich your work
Glazing & Finishing – Learn how to bring your creations to life with thoughtful finishing touches
Course Flow
Week 1: Meeting Clay
Get to know the studio, tools, and clay itself. Learn the fundamentals of wedging, pinching, and coiling—and take a playful first spin on the wheel.
Week 2: Building on Foundations
Continue exploring handbuilding through slab construction and refining your coiling/pinching skills. Dive deeper into wheel practice if it speaks to you.
Week 3: Expanding Your Forms
Push your ideas further through both handbuilt and thrown forms. Begin shaping pieces with more intention, inspiration or allow the clay to guide the way.
Week 4: Surfaces & Stories
Experiment with surface decoration—carving, slips, handles, texture, and trimming. Consider how your forms tell their stories through surface and detail.
Week 5: Bringing It Together
Glaze your work and reflect on your journey. We’ll also have space to discuss your creative practice and ideas for moving forward beyond the course.
What You’ll Take Away
Up to 5 finished pieces (max 15cm x 15cm) – with the option to fire more at £10 per item
Fired, glazed, and collected within two weeks after the course
A deeper understanding of clay—not just how to shape it, but how to let it shape your creative thinking
Support and guidance in a relaxed, welcoming space
Perfect For
Anyone curious about working with clay—whether you’re exploring ceramics for the first time, revisiting an old passion, or seeking a hands-on, expressive creative outlet.
Ready to get your hands dirty and create something amazing? Sign up today!
Ewelina Bartkowska is a ceramic artist, educator, and technician based at Rochester Square. With over a decade of experience teaching ceramics—including at Central Saint Martins and with the Crafts Council—she brings a deep commitment to material exploration, creative learning, and inclusive practice.
Her work blends sculpture, sustainability, and social engagement, exploring the transformative potential of clay as both a raw material and a means of connection. Grounded in handbuilding and wheel-throwing, Ewelina's approach embraces reclaimed clay, slow processes, and the beauty of imperfection.
As a teacher, she fosters curiosity, confidence, and creative autonomy in students of all levels—supporting both beginners and experienced makers in developing their voice through clay. Whether in the studio or the wider community, her practice is rooted in dialogue, care, and the shared joy of making. She also offers sessions to discuss clay design projects, and provides glazing advice.www.ewelina.uk @clay_diwa
Clay and firings included. Basic tools provided, toolsets are also available for purchase HERE and be collected during the class. Minimum 10 people. If we cannot reach this number the class may need to be cancelled, you will be notified in advance and receive a full refund.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Unfortunately, we cannot refund classes with less than two weeks' notice. Please note that a £10 administration fee will be charged for each cancellation.