Schools Workshops: 2025 & 2026

“Children and students learn far more by re-experiencing, as far as possible, the evolution of the potter’s craft from its primitive origins.” Bernard Leach, 1940


The Leach Pottery Schools programme is based on Bernard Leach’s belief that the most impactful and meaningful way to teach children about pottery is to engage them with the natural roots of the process. He writes, “They enjoy finding and digging their own clay, building their own kilns and making their own colours and glazes potters used to do before the machine age.”

Every year we work in partnership with local schools to offer free workshops across the terms. This year our partnerships are with Hayle Academy, St Ives School, St Ives Infants, St Ives Juniors and Pool Academy. Please get in touch if you are a local school and wish to be considered for a future partnership.

Email Neil Robinson at takepart@leachpottery.com to find out more. Please include your date and time preferences, workshop choice and group size.

Overview of the Schools programme below.

  • Last admissions to the Museum in November 2025 for restoration.

    School visits have a reduced capacity taking place offsite.

  • The Learning & Participation Studios open and School visits are welcomed for workshops at the Leach Pottery.

    School programme is back to capacity for visits.

    In place of the museum tour, participants take place in the Leach Story: Talk, Research & Conversation alongside the creative workshop.

  • School visits will be welcomed into the newly restored Leach Pottery Museum for tours and workshops will continue in the Learning & Participation Studios.

Timeline for School Visits at the Pottery in line with the Capital Building project

(Please see here for full details of the building project).

Listing of workshops according to suitability to Key Stages

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss adaptions to the workshop or suitability for your group. Sessions can be made to suit additional needs represented in the group.