Classes & teaching, overview & testimonials
Click here to look at and book current classes
I really enjoy helping both adults and children learn & develop their skills & make their projects be the very best they can be. I can personalise a tuition session according to what you’d like to make or the group you’d like to gather. You can find classes that I regularly sell in the 'products' part of this website or see an overview below [with examples further down] if you'd like to plan something different. My studio is on a level access, and very happy to discuss additional requirements to make this accessible for all.
Schools: I have taught both on-line and of course classroom practical one off sessions & termly courses. This includes the use of studio materials and tools, links to other curriculum study, a full scheme of work plan, and individual as well as group pathways that build from basic skills to self guided projects. This teaching has also included sessions on glazing, studio & small business practice
Other: I have taught as part of Festival programming, in gallery space, as a guest lecturer at Middlesex University on preparing a unit cost to create profit, at community based well being Royal Borough Of Greenwich council funded events. I have taught adults in community groups, SEN students, teen groups and the more elderly with physical challenges.
Private classes: These are held regularly in my studio or larger groups in the Thamesside education space. Zoom classes with clay by post or local drop off has worked during lockdowns. I have also taken private classes out to the sheilding, elderly, house bound and worked hard to create this accessability.
I have the full enhanced DBS certificate. Also certifications in Keeping Children Safe In Education, Safeguarding During Covid-19, Health & Safety Basics, Control of Infections, Fire Safety, Prevent & Channel awareness, Lone Working, Manual Working.
Examples of classes held
Children’s classes on Saturday mornings
Adult plus child / two adult pairs in my studio for a one session three project intensive.
Home education: parent plus teen for 4x 2hrs introduction course
Local gallery making space: four adults at a time for three hour sessions.
Individuals in my studio for one on one tuition, half day, three projects.
Class taken to a family home for multi generational class at the kitchen table.
Zoom classes for children, teens, a party, adult plus teen, adults.
A level and GCSE tuition via Zoom for Thomas Tallis Comprehensive School: 2 x 1hr sessions, plus notes.
Weekly Steiner school teaching, age 14+
Community projects for festival programming and summer holiday activies.
Enhancement activity for event programming, Royal Naval Colege, Greenwich.
Working with vulnerable or isolated adults
Group work for neuro-diverse education into employment project.
Artist in Residence at Charlton House, working with Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust and Mycenae Reachout community group.
Whole school arts week project, 32 workshops delivering 540 items for installation.
Testimonials:
For learning:
'I booked a four week course for my 12 year old daughter who had left school to be home educated. Fiona gave us a fantastic introduction to ceramics and insight into working in a studio and producing work for sale. I don’t think my daughter had realised that this could be someone’s job! We made some beautiful things, were able to achieve a lot in a short time and were very pleased with the results. Fiona is a great teacher and explained how to make the clay work for you and produce something functional but at the same time very personal and special.
S Roseblade
For well being, pain management and confidence building:
'I have been wanting to have a go at something along those lines for some time now, but didn't feel brave or confident enough to approach any classes because of my chronic fatigue and pain and the resulting anxiety and depression’
‘I had a very encouraging conversation about how I would be able to take part and that support was available should I need it’
‘You really put my mind at rest that if I was not feeling great that it didn't matter and just attending and discussing would be possible’
‘I have actually found that the gentle manipulation of the clay with my hands has been beneficial for me and not caused too much pain in my muscles and the nature of the class is like a mindfulness session for me which is great for my mental wellbeing too’.
JW, Spring 2022
And do read my google reviews: