Our new Monday Clay Club gives children the chance to leave school behind, slow down and get creative with clay in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

They can come on their own or bring a friend, then shape, sculpt, smooth and create whatever their imagination comes up with. There are no set projects and no expectation to make a particular thing — just plenty of clay, inspiration and the freedom to explore.

And the best bit? No experience is needed. We’ll be there to guide and encourage them, but what they make is completely up to them.  They will also have the opportunity to try out wheel throwing.

Every piece they create will be glazed and fired, so they’ll eventually have something they have made themselves to take home and keep.

Monday | 3.30–5.00pm – 14th September – 5th October 
Unaccompanied session
Suitable for primary (y3 upwards) & secondary school-aged clay enthusiasts

Bring a friend, bring your imagination and let’s get messy!

Places are limited.  The 4 week sessions will repeat throughout the term.  If you miss the first spot you can reserve for a later session start date.

poponin’s After School Creative Club embraces your child’s imagination, individuality and creativity.  Children can join in after school from 3.15 until 6.00pm.  Our clubs all operate with variable finishing times.

Making payment secures your reservation at poponin.  This is a non refundable fee should you change your mind but will be offset against your full term invoice which will be sent towards the start of the school term you have made a reservation for.

In preparation for joining us it would be great to learn a little more about who will be coming along.  Please use the link below to give us a little introduction.

Getting to know you

We look forward to welcoming you to poponin.

Come and have a go. Each making session includes up to 600g of earthenware clay, which can be used to make one larger piece or several smaller pieces. Your work will be carefully dried and bisque fired, ready for you to return and glaze before the final firing.

The bundle price covers your studio time, tools, equipment, clay, coloured glaze, bisque firing and glaze firing, within the clay allowance stated below.

Complimentary tea/coffee.  PM sessions: you’re welcome to bring your own tipple of choice.

Sessions are up to 75 minutes.

Breakdown of Bundle Session(s):

£30.00 – 2 studio sessions: Up to 600g in total of earthenware clay. One session is for making/refining and one for glazing.

£60.00 – 4 studio sessions: Up to 1.2kg in total of earthenware clay. Your sessions can be used for making, refining and glazing.

£90.00 – 6 studio sessions:  Up to 1.8kg in total of earthenware clay. Your sessions can be used for making, refining and glazing.

We are flexible about how you split your studio sessions between making and glazing (4 and 6 session bundles only)

For example, you might use two or three sessions to make and refine your pieces, then return once they have been bisque fired and use your remaining session(s) for glazing. Or using fewer sessions for making and more for glazing giving you more time for detailed decoration.

Customers with an active 4 or 6 session bundle are welcome to take any unused clay home, or you can purchase small quanities of additional clay to continue creating between sessions. Any work made at home is additional to the work made during your booked/active session bundle.

You’re also welcome to bring your home creations back to poponin during your active session bundle period to be kiln fired and is subject to our home-firing charges, determined by the number and size of the pieces. We will need to inspect pieces before firing. Information sheet available on request.

A note about home-made pieces

For kiln safety, please don’t add any other materials or objects to your clay or finished pieces — this includes wire, metal, beads, stones, glass, wood, plastic, glue or other found objects. Please also don’t use paints, glues, sealants, glitter or other products on pieces intended for firing.

We reserve the right not to fire anything we’re unsure about. If in doubt, just ask us before adding anything — we’re always happy to advise.

Unleash the potter in you; reserve your handbuilding bundle or your wheel throwing taster.

All sessions are 60 minutes.

Our handbuilding, throwing, and painting sessions will transport you into a squishy, squelchy, and wonderfully immersive activity – be careful you may get hooked!

Let your head be in the moment as you shape clay into unique masterpieces, which can be fired in our kiln and glazed using our studio colours.

Whether you’re a pottery enthusiast or a complete novice, our handbuilding and taster wheel throwing sessions promise a fun-filled journey of self-expression.

Wheel Throwing sessions:  include a briefing, introduction to the wheel and time on the wheel. 600g of earthenware clay to form 1 piece.

Handbuilding sessions: include a brief intro, 60 minutes creation time.  600g of earthenware clay to form your creations; 1 piece using up to 600g clay, or
several smaller pieces using up to 600g clay in total.

Additional clay is available at a charge of £4.00/kg.  Any additional piece(s) made from extra clay will also attract additional bisque firing and glaze firing charges.

Get ready to experience the joy of pottery and discover the potter within you.

Children are welcome to our after school club regardless of which school they attend.  However, being based in Hurstpierpoint, if your child goes to St Lawrence school, in Hurstpierpoint, we can pick up directly from the school.  You can arrange for us to pick up by calling, emailing, or when booking a session.

We also offer a service from Albourne Primary School, Albourne.  This is a full term booking service.  You can arrange this by calling or emailing the team at poponin.

Our clubs all operate with variable finishing times. Please review the specific clubs t & c’s if not already familiar.

All clubs require a registration form to be completed the first time a club is booked.