Terms & Conditions for Stroud Pottery

Stroud Pottery CIC — Class & Event Disclaimer

Inclusivity and Conduct

At Stroud Pottery, we champion inclusivity.
We celebrate and support LGBTQ+ people, ethnic minorities, diverse cultures, and individuals with special educational needs (SEN).
We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if they display negative or discriminatory behaviour or language towards others.

We want everyone to have the best possible experience in our studios. To ensure this, all participants must comply with our studio rules, health and safety procedures, and code of conduct. Stroud Pottery CIC reserves the right to exclude any participant who consistently fails to meet these conditions.

Health & Safety

Please be aware that you are in a working studio environment, and due care and attention must be given at all times.
Instructions on all equipment will be given by a qualified tutor outlining Health and Safety.

Stroud Pottery CIC will not be held responsible for any injury incurred if studio rules are not followed.

Clothing & Personal Belongings

Working with clay and glazes can be messy.

  • Students must bring their own aprons (and an optional towel), which should be taken home weekly and washed.

  • Wear clothes and footwear you don’t mind getting dirty.

  • Watches and jewellery should not be worn while working with clay (wedding bands are exempt).

  • Long hair must be tied back, especially when using the wheel.

Stroud Pottery CIC is not responsible for any damage to clothing, shoes, jewellery, watches, or mobile devices.

Coats and bags should be kept in the cloakroom. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to items left in the cloakroom or studios.

Attendance & Punctuality

Classes start on time. If you are late, you are still welcome to join, but time cannot be made up at the end of the session.
Clean-up should begin at least 15 minutes before the end of class to allow time for the next group to start promptly.

Full attendance for the term is expected. If classes are repeatedly missed, your space may be offered to a new student on our waiting list.

Cancellations & Refunds

  • CLASSES: If you are ill: It is at the tutor’s discretion whether to offer a make-up session or refund.

  • If a tutor is ill: Your class will be covered by another tutor, or you will receive a refund.

  • WORKSHOPS: A 50% refund is available for cancellations made at least 4 weeks prior to the workshop date. Unfortunately, no refund can be made after that time.

  • MEMBERSHIPS: Please give one months notice if you wish to cancel or pause your membership ( if you wish to pause the membership we cannot guarantee a space on your return)

Payments

  • Classes must be paid in full before the start of term.

  • Contributions to materials must be paid either upon collection of work or at the end of term.

  • No debts can be carried over to the following term.

Cleaning & Studio Care

All students are expected to clean their tools, equipment, and workspace at the end of each session.

  • Clean clay from tools and equipment for the next class.

  • Wheels must be sponged down with clean water.

  • Tools should be returned to the correct storage buckets.

  • Floors, workbenches, and surrounding areas must be wiped or mopped clean.

  • Spills of clay or glaze should be cleaned up immediately to prevent accidents.

Storage shelves and boxes are provided for each student. Please keep these clean and dust-free to help maintain a safe environment.

Food & Drink

Food can only be consumed away from the working environment to avoid any accidental ingestion of clay or hazardous objects or material.
Drinks are allowed only in lidded cups to prevent ingestion of clay or foreign materials.
Stroud Pottery CIC will not be responsible if these rules are broken.

Firing & Glazing

All work made in classes will be bisque-fired and glazed.
While every care is taken, Stroud Pottery CIC cannot be held responsible for cracks, explosions, or other kiln faults.
Payment for fired pieces must still be made to cover materials and kiln costs.

When glazing:

  • Apply glaze carefully — excessive thickness may cause it to run.

  • If glaze runs onto kiln shelves, you may be charged for repair or replacement.

  • Pieces with uncleaned glaze on the base will not be fired until cleaned.

All work should be marked with your maker’s stamp; unnamed work will not be fired.

Finished work is usually ready for collection within 5–6 weeks, depending on clay type and kiln schedule.

Equipment Damage

Any equipment broken due to negligence or mishandling must be repaired or replaced by the student responsible.

Development & Selling Work

After four terms, students who reach a suitable level of competence may be offered a pathway into supported membership to develop their individual practice. This is not mandatory.

Please note:

  • Classes and studio access hours are not for the production of work for sale.

  • You may sell work through our annual Christmas or summer market, but not through external outlets.


Thank you for reading our Terms and Conditions, and Disclaimer – the Stroud Pottery team