Terms and Conditions

We reserve the right to cancel or change the date of a course where necessary or it is impractical for a course or experience to run. By booking on any of our courses, workshops or single sessions you agree to abide by our Terms & Conditions. We reserve the right to make amendments to the class tutor or content without notice. It is your responsibility to inform us in advance of any allergies or special requirements.

1 Classes and Courses

1.1 Bookings and Cancellations of Classes/Workshops/Studio Space
Bookings are made online. Payment must be in full or 50% of the cost of the course at the time of booking. Full payment is due no later than 2 weeks prior to the start of the course. Cancellations and amendments can only be addressed in writing (via email to info@theclayyardtotnes.co.uk).

Classes are booked on a first-come first-served basis. A waiting list facility will be established for every oversubscribed class. Participants selected to attend a class from the waiting list will be subject to these Terms and Conditions.

1.2 Missed classes

In the event that a student misses a class due to illness, child-care or other acceptable reason, they should email Alison on info@theclayyardtotnes.co.uk session where you will be given the opportunity to attend a catchup session. Unfortunately, as the classes are usually full to capacity this is subject to availability in other classes/untutored sessions. The drop-in sessions are available on a first-come first-served basis and are arranged by e-mail info@theclayyardtotnes.co.uk.

1.31 Materials

Please be aware that the classes are designed to focus on learning and the development of skills. Studio users who make large items (greater than 15cm in height and 10cm in width) are not acceptable and will not be stored or fired. Where students are using large amounts of clay to refine and develop their skills they are required to wedge the clay prior to the end of the course. 500g of wet clay per session is included in the classes*, work that weighs more than this will be charged at £10 per kg. 500g of clay will usually take up 1litre of space in the kiln and this is included within the costing of the course. Work that is more than 1litre in size will be charged at an additional £5 per litre.

*Untutored sessions to not include materials within the cost of the course. Work generated in these sessions will be stored only on the discretion of Alison and by prior arrangement.

1.32 Fired Work

We may refuse to fire work if we consider that this would be a risk to other work and/or our kilns.

We do not offer a firing service for work produced outside of the studio.

The firing of 1 litre (10 x 10 x 10cm or 500g) of work per session is included within the cost of a session. Additional charges are charged at £5 per additional litre (roughly equivalent to 500g) of fired work and £10 per 500g for any work over 30cm in height or width. Work is measured in litres because of the amount of space used in the kiln. Please refer to the diagram in the studio or chat to The Clay Yard team for more explanation of the energy usage and materials used in the finishing of your work.

Work that is bisque fired but not glazed is charged at £2 per litre of work.

1.4 Equipment

Students are required to clean and replace tools. No tools should be left to dry on the draining board and should be returned to the peg-boards. All boards must be wiped clean and prepared for the next user. Batts used on the wheel must be cleaned on both surfaces and returned dry to the store.

1.5 Machinery

To ensure safe use of the studio only the tutors can operate the pug mill. The use of the extruder is allowed with the permission of the tutor and must be cleaned after use. Individuals failing to clean machinery will be charged a £10 cleaning fee.

2 Collection and Identification of Work

2.1 Identification of Work

All work must be clearly marked and identifiable before bisque firing. Work without the maker’s stamp will be reclaimed and not fired.

2.2 Collection

Glazed work can be collected from the studio on designated collection days and under the supervision of the course tutor. Work not collected within 3 weeks of the pickup time will be disposed of by the studio team. We cannot store uncollected work but urge you to consider the environmental impact of such practice.

2.2 Work created in workshops, summer school programme and/or experiences.

Where a student has attended one-off experiences, a summer school session or a workshop, work will be bisque fired once dry and glazed. Included in the cost per 2.5 hr session in the studio is is 0.5kg of wet clay, 2 firings and glazing. For example, a student attending a 1 day workshop who makes work weighing 3kg of clay in its’ wet state will be charged for the additional 2kg of clay not included in the 5 hour workshop. The additional charge of £10 per kilo of wet clay and covers processing, glazing and firing of work. This must be paid for at the time of the workshop/experience. Finished work within the maximum parcel size can be sent by parcel post at a charge to be confirmed based on weight of item.

2.3 Postage and Packing

It is advisable to collect work rather. The studio will aim to package work with bubble wrap, card and double-skinned boxes but cannot guarantee safe and unbroken delivery of ceramics and no refund can be offered in the case of broken or damaged vessels. Couriers will not insure ceramics. Packaging materials are £20 with additional cost of postage per kg to be advised.

3 Cancellation or Missed Courses

3.1 Refunds
No refunds or transfers will be offered for workshop, studio space, outreach or class spaces cancelled by participants within 2 weeks/14 days of a booked event. If a cancellation is notified earlier than 2 weeks prior to a booked event The Clay Yard will endeavour to backfill the place. If this is possible we will then refund your fee, less any costs incurred.

3.2 Missed Classes
In the event of a class or workshop or booked studio space being cancelled by The Clay Yard, participants will be given the option of a refund or (where applicable) a transfer to a new date/booking.

3.3 Force Majeure (an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond our control causing disruption to business)
In the event of last-minute cancellations of cancellations mid-course or workshop we will always endeavour to offer refunds to participants. These refunds will be calculated on a pro-rata basis less any non-recoverable cost associated with planning and staging the event.

Complaints Policy

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our work/products, please get in touch at info@theclayyardtotnes.co.uk and we will do our very best to resolve the matter. We will commit to responding to all enquiries as soon as possible and always within 14 days.

14 day cooling off period.

You can cancel your order up to 14 days after making the order, in the case of goods, up to 14 days after your order is delivered.