Please select a course below:

Long Courses

Why choose a long course with Peter Sefton Furniture School?
Our long courses are aimed at those wishing to make bespoke furniture to professional standards, whether you are a hobbyist or you wish to have a career in furniture making.  They’re for:
• Students training or re-training for a new career
• Those looking for a new direction and sense of fulfilment
• Those wishing to learn quality methods quickly

• What will you achieve?
You’ll be able to design and make fine furniture, gaining a detailed understanding of the technical knowledge and skills required. You’ll develop your practical skills, speed and confidence to a professional level, whether you want to start your own workshop or be employed.

Plus, you’ll also build a portfolio of your individually designed and hand crafted pieces along the way.

• Why Choose Us?

Our only business is teaching you

The School is dedicated solely to teaching. There are neither commercial workshops nor commissions or restorations being undertaken at the School to distract from the learning environment; your learning is our priority.

Not only is Peter an award winning furniture maker, he’s also a qualified lecturer so he understands exactly what skills and knowledge to deliver and multi Guild Mark winning guest speakers including James Ryan (Barnsley Workshop) and designer/maker Sean Feeney, provide design inspiration.

Our long courses are intensive

The workshops are open to students from 8:30 am until 7:30 pm every weekday allowing you to gain the necessary skills and the speed you need to fast-track your skills.  Small groups guarantee individual attention.

Our 9 Month Professional Furniture Making and Woodworking course provides over 1560 hours of bench time and tutoring – most college courses only provide about 350 hours of tutoring and bench time a year which is why they take much longer to complete. So, 47 hours of bench time per week over 33 weeks allows you to fast-track in just 9 months.

It’s an idyllic location to learn in

We’re in the grounds of a 17th century oak framed Threshing Barn on a 3 acre farmstead. There isn’t an industrial estate in sight; just views of the Malvern Hills.
Whether it’s the tranquillity of the countryside and the Cotswolds or the buzz of the city, culture and theatres you look for, we are 45 minutes to Stratford, within an hour of Birmingham or Bristol, and 2 hours of London. Either way, our central location means that we offer a wide variety of research visits, ranging from those on our doorstep in the Cotswolds, to visiting international exhibitions in London. All are carefully selected to give you inspiration and an appreciation of craftsmanship as well as a practical understanding of the skills that a furniture maker needs.

Excellent facilities in our purpose built workshops

All students have the use of:
• Extensive and well equipped, modern machine Workshop
• Naturally lit, spacious Bench Workshop
• Variety of Veneering and Laminating Equipment
• Design Studio and Library with many Reference Books and current Journals
• Storage Areas for Timber, Veneer and Student Projects
• Fully equipped Student Kitchen and PC Area
• Gardens and Paddocks for relaxing
• Ample car parking

Which course – 9 Month, 6 Month or 3 Month?

The long courses has been designed to be modular and are aimed at those wishing to make bespoke furniture to professional standards, whether you are a hobbyist or you wish to have a career in furniture making. Our long courses run for:

• 9 Months – 33 weeks over 3 x 11 week Terms (Autumn, Spring and Summer)
• 6 Months – 22 weeks over 2 x 11 week Terms (Autumn and Spring)
• 3 Months – 11 weeks (Autumn Term only)

The syllabus is designed so that you can study all 33 weeks at once on the 9 Month course, or opt to only study for 22 or 11 weeks now, and add to your learning later as time and funds allow.

Whatever you chose to do; the same syllabus is studied throughout, meaning you can always build on the knowledge and skills you’ve already learned.

A Typical Day on a Long Course

8:30am-9:00am	Workshop Opens
9:00am-9:30am	Tutor Led Theory Session
9:30am-10:00am	Tutor Led Practical Demonstration
10:00am-12:45pm	Students – Hands-On Practical
1:45pm-5:00pm	Students Work on Individual Projects
5:00pm-7:30pm	Workshop available for Hand Tool working

Where to Stay

Please see the Find Us page of our website and then click on Where to Stay

Booking Info

How do I apply for any of your Courses? First, please contact the School to confirm there is space on the course either by phone on 01684 591014 or email sarah@peterseftonfurnitureschool.com. Then complete the Long Course Booking Form and forward it with your deposit to the School.

For Long Courses, the deposit is £1,000 to secure your place.  After that, the payment schedule for the 3, 6 or 9 month courses is detailed at the back of the Long Course Booking Form.

Peter Sefton Furniture School regrets that we are unable to accept applications from anyone under the age of 18 at the start of their course.

LONG COURSE SYLLABUS

Term 1 – Autumn Term Overview
The main objectives of the Autumn term are to ensure that the students learn an appreciation of tools, materials, technology, quality in furniture making and design. Safe machining techniques are of paramount importance and all students will complete an induction programme on wood machining during the first term. Students will gain confidence and speed on small set projects initially, progressing to their first furniture project which will be included in their portfolio of work.
Projects To Be Completed May Include:
o Making work bench tools:
Push stick, bench hook, shooting board, winding sticks, scratch stock, dovetail template, veneer hammer, carpenter’s and carver’s mallets, flat and curved sanding blocks.
o Dovetailed and Tenoned Letter Rack
o Chessboard
o Dovetailed Tool Tray with 4 Different Types of Dovetailed Joints
o Veneered and Laminated Tray
o Workshop Stool with Compound Angles
o Small Solid Timber Table with Tapered Legs
o Veneered and Inlayed Box
o Wood Turning Projects with Chris Eagles
o Furniture Project – Cabinet with Door

Art and Design Guest Speakers - Autumn Term
o James Ryan (Edward Barnsley Workshop), Hampshire
James Ryan from the Edward Barnsley Workshops gives a presentation where he discusses his design ethos and talks about the Barnsley apprentice scheme.  James is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and not only has he received six Guild Mark awards himself, he now serves on its Guild Mark award committee.

Visits – Autumn Term
o 100% Design (London)
The UK’s leading contemporary interiors event, attracting key manufacturers, star designers and major specifiers from the UK and overseas. There is no other show that connects the worlds of architecture and design with innovative, contemporary interior products, creativity and an exciting mix of new and established talent.
www.100percentdesign.co.uk
o Tewkesbury Saw Company, Tewkesbury
Supplier of equipment and accessories to the woodworking trade with in-house Saw Doctors. Over 200 machines and power tools on display.
www.tewkesburysaw.co.uk
o North of England Woodworking Show, Harrogate
The oldest and biggest woodworking and power tool show in the Country.  Everything for the amateur and professional woodworker and power tool user.
www.skpromotions.co.uk/nofe.html
o Visit to a local Timber Yard
Experience the buying process and look at kiln drying methods.
o Suggested Visits for Students
o Celebration of Craftsmanship, Cheltenham (August)
www.celebrationofcraftsmanship.com/The_Chair_Competition.aspx


Term 2 – Spring Term Overview
During the Spring Term the emphasis is on improving the speed and precision of the student’s hand skills, and using the machines accurately and efficiently. The student will continue to develop their confidence, design skills and advanced construction techniques. An ex-student of Peter’s, Paul Hodgson, visits each year to teach a 5 day course where every student is given the opportunity to make a “Clissett” chair.
Make a “Clissett” Ladder-back Chair
o Philip Clissett (1841-1913) was a local chairmaker from Bosbury in Malvern Hills and many of the techniques used are based on those handed down by the 18th and 19th Century chairmakers.  Learn steam bending and spindle turning techniques, using air-dried timbers to make this iconic piece.
Ideas for Individual Projects (to include both solid and veneered work):
o Table with drawer
o Cabinet on stand
o Jointed chair

Art and Design Guest Speakers – Spring Term
o Sean Feeney, Stratford-upon-Avon
Sean Feeney joins us to give a presentation on design and his sources of inspiration when designing for clients.  Sean is a qualified cabinet-maker; he holds six prestigious Craft Guild Marks and has been a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers since 2004.  He has also been on the judging panel of the Bespoke Guild Mark.
o Mary Greensted, Gloucestershire
Mary Greensted visits the School to deliver a lecture on the history of the Arts and Crafts Movement.  She was for many years responsible for Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum’s nationally important Arts and Crafts collection.  She has written books about Ernest Gimson and the Arts and Crafts Movement in the Cotswolds.

Visits – Spring Term
o Gordon Russell Museum, Broadway (Cotswolds)
A visit to the Museum, located in the original Grade II Listed workshop, along with a personal guided tour by curators who were former employees of Gordon Russell.  Celebrates the work of the renowned 20th Century furniture designer and that of his company over a period of 60 years in Broadway, Worcestershire.
www.gordonrussellmuseum.org
o Paul Davey Cabinetmakers, Evesham
Industrial visit to vibrant local craft workshop – Paul apprenticed under Peter and went on to be a Silver medallist at “Skill Olympics” in Lyon 1995 before starting his own workshop employing a small team of highly skilled craftsmen.
www.pauldaveycabinetmaker.co.uk
o Wycombe Chair Museum, High Wycombe
Visit the home of 20th Century English furniture making and experience the famous collection of Windsor chairs.
www.wycombe.gov.uk/council-services/leisure-and-culture/wycombe-museum.aspx
o Sean Feeney Furniture, Stratford-upon-Avon
Visit the workshops of Sean Feeney; leading UK furniture maker, master craftsman and holder of the prestigious Furniture Makers’ Guild Mark.
www.seanfeeneyfurniture.co.uk
o Alscot Timber, Stratford-upon-Avon
Visit to a local timber and tool specialist.
www.alscottimber.co.uk
o Visit SV (Specialised Veneers) Ltd, Aylesbury
View their excellent range of decorative and constructional veneers.
www.svltd.co.uk
o Visit to Axminster Tool Centre, High Wycombe
Supplier of a vast array of woodworking tools and equipment
www.axminster.co.uk
o Visit to Isaac Lord, High Wycombe
Tools, adhesives and hardware suppliers to the Trade.
www.isaaclord.co.uk
o Suggested Visits for Students
o Victoria and Albert Museum, London – The largest exhibition of furniture in the UK. Over 14,000 pieces from Britain, Europe and America from the Middle Ages to the present day
o Design Museum, London

Term 3 – Summer Term Overview
In the Summer Term, the emphasis will be on perfecting students’ design and making skills and they will put into practice all the advanced techniques they have learned to create their own masterpiece. They will also gain a thorough understanding of the business skills required to set up and run their own workshop or be a productive employee within the profession, should they wish.
o Suggested Visits for Students
o Art in Action, Oxford (July)
400 demonstrating designer makers; disciplines include painting, sculpture, woodwork, textiles, ceramics and metalwork.
o Rodmarton Manor, Cirencester (Cotswolds)
Furniture made according to Arts and Crafts ideals and was one of the last country houses to be built and furnished in the old traditional style
o Masterpiece of your choice
o A piece of fine furniture demonstrating the individual design skills and practical techniques learned on the professional furniture making course
o Building a Portfolio
o Creating a collection of photographs and design drawings of the student’s work, to be presented to potential clients or employers
o Detailed review of material costs and hours spent on major projects

Workshop Practices and Techniques
o Induction and Welcome to the School
o Health and Safety within the Machine and Hand Tool Workshops
o Hand Tool Selection
o Hand Tool Care and Sharpening
o Hand Skills
o Hand Cut Joints
o Introduction to Wood Machining
o Machines
o Machining Procedures
o Machining Techniques
o Machine Joints
o Manufacturing Jigs, Templates and Guards
o Hand Held Power Tools
o Veneering Techniques
o Marquetry Techniques
o Parquetry Techniques
o Polishing and Finishing Techniques

Technology and Design
o Timber Recognition
o Costings
o Adhesives
o Manufactured Board
o Abrasives
o Veneers
o Cutting Lists
o Built-in Furniture and Site Work
o Models and Prototypes
o Design and Proportion
o Drawing Practices
o History of Furniture
o Fundamentals of Construction
o Fittings and Brassware
o Table and Chair Constructions
o Carcass Construction and Carcass Design
o Component Construction
o Advanced Construction
o Curved work
o Laminating and Forming
o Veneering
Other Skills (Optional)
o Health and Safety Legislation
o Self Employment and Marketing
o Planning Your Workshop

Email info@peterseftonfurnitureschool.com to request a printed Brochure.