Proud sponsors of BCB’s Clay School

Hands on, ‘clay under your fingernails’ experiences, have been rolled out across the city to provide creative stimulus to young people – helping them to become immersed in their heritage.

Led by artists, demonstrations into working with ceramics are carried out for primary, secondary and post 16 students. By 2021, Clay School’s aim is to engage with all schools in Stoke-on-Trent.

Harry Foster, Specialist Products Business Manager, said: “The use of clay within Stoke-on-Trent is ingrained in our DNA, it’s such an important part of our social history, and whereas when I was growing up it was commonplace even as a small child to visit the factory with my dad and see all the activity, this just doesn’t happen nowadays. I recall vividly playing with clay as a child at the weekend whilst watching my aunt produce hundreds of beautiful fine bone china flowers, it was mesmerising in terms of speed and skill (somehow my attempts never quite came out the same, but I recall it was great fun).

Having been at the forefront of the ceramics manufacturing industry since 1901, we are fierce advocates of supporting our trade.

A skill once prevalent in The Potteries, ceramics – and working with clay – has faced uncertain times.

However, in recent years the medium has received an unprecedented resurgence, with artists and designers championing ceramics the world over. From Grayson Perry to The Great Pottery Throwdown, the humble trade has been given a contemporary update for a modern audience.

We, alongside our peers here in Stoke-on-Trent, firmly believe that the only way to ensure the evolution of ceramics and pottery for future markets is to look to the education sector – introducing children to ceramics in the classroom.

As part of the current British Ceramics Biennial, Clay School – which we’re proudly sponsoring – aims to reignite the use of ceramics at local schools.