Air-dry Clay Lecturer (Variable Hours)

Wiltshire College & University Centre; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Teachers' Pension Scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Employee Assistance Programme

Free on-site gyms

Lifestyle discounts

Cycle-to-Work Scheme

Professional development and CPD

Wiltshire College and UniversityCentre

Job summary

Wiltshire College & University Centre invites applications for an Air-dry Clay Lecturer (Variable Hours) based at Salisbury Campus. This role delivers practical air-dry clay sessions to adult learners, plans engaging lessons, and assesses progress across college sites as needed.

We welcome practitioners with air-dry clay, modelling, sculpting or decorative craft experience who can inspire confidence and creativity. The position offers flexible hours with pay per hour and holiday entitlement.

Qualifications

• A relevant Level 3 qualification or higher in art, ceramics, sculpture, craft, design, or related subject.
• Strong practical knowledge of air-dry clay, clay modelling, sculpting, and decorative craft techniques.
• Experience creating clay-based artwork, sculptures, ornaments, or decorative objects.
• Knowledge of clay preparation, shaping, joining, drying, surface finishing, painting, and sealing techniques.
• Understanding of design principles including form, texture, colour, proportion, and composition.
• Ability to teach clearly and support learners of varying abilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver, and assess engaging air-dry clay sessions across college sites.
• Introduce learners to air-dry clay principles, materials, tools, and finishing products.
• Prepare lesson plans, demonstrations, and resources for short courses.
• Teach hand-building, shaping, sculpting, texturing, joining techniques, and making decorative/functional pieces.
• Demonstrate drying, sanding, painting, sealing, and decorating workflows.

Skills

Air-dry clay

Clay modelling

Sculpting

Decorative crafts

Education

Level 3 qualification or higher in art/ceramics/sculpture/design

Job description

Air-dry Clay Lecturer (Variable Hours)

£21.13- £25.34 per hour, plus holiday pay

Salisbury

Permanent, Part Time

Base Location: Salisbury Campus

Scope: Delivery across all college sites

Are you passionate about air-dry clay and keen to share your creative skills with adult learners? Whether you're an experienced lecturer, a practising ceramic artist, a clay artist, or a creative professional looking to move into teaching, we'd love to hear from you!

Join our team and help adult learners explore their creativity, develop practical clay modelling techniques, build confidence, and discover the enjoyment of creating their own decorative and functional pieces in a supportive and inspiring learning environment.

We're particularly interested in candidates with experience in air-dry clay, clay modelling, sculpting, decorative crafts, mixed-media art, or related creative disciplines who can inspire learners across a range of settings.

Please note: This is a Variable Hours position, with work offered as required, subject to adult learning course provision, curriculum delivery, learner requirements, and the needs of individual college sites.

Course Structure: Adult learning courses typically run for approximately 3 hours per week over 10 weeks, providing learners with the opportunity to develop their skills progressively through practical activities, demonstrations, and guided creative exploration.

What We Offer

Salary:

• Unqualified Lecturer: £21.13 per hour plus holiday pay
• Qualified Lecturer: £25.34 per hour plus holiday pay

Contract Type: Variable Hours

Location: Salisbury Campus, with opportunities to deliver teaching at other college sites as required.

Working Pattern: Courses typically involve one session of approximately 3 hours per week over a 10-week period. Hours will be offered as required, subject to adult learning course provision, curriculum delivery, learner demand, and the needs of individual college sites.

Benefits

• Teachers' Pension Scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free on-site gyms
• Lifestyle discounts
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme
• Professional development and CPD opportunities

What You'll Do

• Plan, deliver, and assess engaging air-dry clay sessions across college sites.
• Introduce learners to the properties of air-dry clay, suitable materials, tools, equipment, and finishing products.
• Prepare lesson plans, demonstrations, and resources for short courses.
• Teach practical skills such as hand-building, shaping, sculpting, texturing, joining techniques, and creating decorative or functional objects.
• Demonstrate techniques for making items such as small sculptures, ornaments, bowls, trinket dishes, wall decorations, figurines, and personalised gifts.
• Teach learners how to prepare, condition, shape, and finish clay projects to achieve high-quality results.
• Introduce appropriate techniques for drying, sanding, painting, sealing, and decorating completed pieces.
• Encourage creativity, experimentation, and the development of individual artistic styles.
• Explore design principles such as form, proportion, texture, pattern, colour, and composition.
• Demonstrate the safe and effective use of tools, paints, adhesives, sealants, and other craft materials.
• Support learners to develop practical skills, problem‑solving abilities, creativity, and confidence.
• Create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for learners of all abilities and experience levels.
• Adapt teaching to different workshop facilities, available resources, and learner needs.
• Monitor learner progress and provide constructive feedback to encourage improvement and creative development.
• Promote responsible use of materials, effective resource management, and minimisation of waste where appropriate.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety, safeguarding, and professional practice.
• Collaborate with colleagues to support high‑quality adult learning provision.

What You'll Bring

• A relevant Level 3 qualification or higher in art, ceramics, sculpture, craft, design, or a related subject, and/or significant relevant industry experience.
• Strong practical knowledge of air-dry clay, clay modelling, sculpting, and decorative craft techniques.
• Experience creating clay-based artwork, sculptures, ornaments, decorative objects, personalised gifts, or other creative pieces.
• An understanding of clay preparation, shaping, joining, drying, surface finishing, painting, and sealing techniques.
• Knowledge of design principles, including form, texture, colour, proportion, and composition.
• A passion for creativity and sharing knowledge with others.
• The ability to demonstrate practical techniques clearly and support learners with different abilities and experience levels.
• Good communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility to teach at Salisbury Campus and other college sites as required.
• A commitment to inclusive learning, safe working practices, and creating a positive learner experience.
• Teaching or adult education qualifications are desirable but not essential. Practising clay artists, sculptors, makers, and experienced craft professionals looking to develop their teaching experience are encouraged to apply.

Why Join Us?

• Flexible working opportunities: Variable hours that reflect course provision and learner demand.
• Share your expertise: Bring your knowledge of air-dry clay, artistic flair, and practical creative experience into adult education.
• Inspire creativity: Help learners discover new interests, develop practical skills, and create unique clay pieces.
• Make a meaningful difference: Support learners' confidence, wellbeing, personal development, and lifelong learning.
• Work across our college community: Contribute to creative learning opportunities at Salisbury Campus and other college sites.
• Short-course delivery: Typically teach for around 3 hours per week over 10 weeks, offering a focused and rewarding teaching commitment.
• Enjoy a supportive environment: Work with colleagues who value creativity, inclusion, and high-quality adult learning.
• Develop professionally: Access opportunities for continuing professional development and CPD.
• Turn your passion for air-dry clay into an opportunity to inspire creativity and lifelong learning across Wiltshire College and University Centre.

If you're ready to share your clay modelling skills, inspire adult learners, and help expand creative craft opportunities at Salisbury Campus and across our college sites, we'd love to hear from you!

Closing Date: 8th November 2026

Safer Recruitment

Wiltshire College and University Centre follows Safer Recruitment Guidance outlined by the Department for Education in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. This involves conducting enhanced DBS checks, including checks against the children’s barred list, and other employment verifications, including an online presence review for shortlisted candidates.

We embrace diversity, recognising the valuable perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and cultures individuals from different backgrounds bring. Committed to safeguarding, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we pledge to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy and assess them based on their abilities.

The Company

Wiltshire College and University Centre stands as the largest provider of further and higher education in Wiltshire, significantly contributing to the local economy by equipping individuals with essential skills for success. Our diverse curriculum spans from Level 1 to Level 6, and we operate across four main campuses located in Trowbridge, Chippenham, Salisbury, and Lackham, which specialises in land-based education. We offer a wide array of apprenticeships, along with full-time, part-time, and university-level courses. Notably, our Castle Combe circuit facility is the UK's first trackside motorsport engineering training centre, dedicated to our Motorsport Engineering programs