London contains the highest concentration of people working in the creative and cultural sectors in the UK, making Waltham Forest perfectly situated to help you start a new career in these industries. We provide a range of specially equipped studios for printmaking, painting, photography, fashion, textiles, computer graphics, mixed media design and ceramics sculpture.
Our exciting range of courses and workshops are suitable for people of all abilities and are designed to inspire you and develop your skills.

If you’re on a low wage or receiving certain benefits, you may qualify for a 100% or 70% discount off the price of our courses.
Speak to a member of our team to find out if you are eligible.

Accredited Creative Courses

Our accredited creative courses allow you to blend your creativity with the opportunity to gain valuable qualifications. Explore a range of courses designed to ignite your imagination and equip you with tangible skills. Our accredited programmes offer the perfect blend of hands-on learning and recognised qualifications, ensuring that your creative journey is not only enjoyable but also leads to tangible achievements opening doors to new opportunities.

  • Art and Design - NCFE Level 2 Certificate – Accredited
  • Fashion - NCFE Level 1 Award in Creative Craft - Accredited
  • Fashion - NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Craft – Accredited

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Cake Decoration Courses

Dive into the art of transforming simple cakes into edible masterpieces with our expert-led classes. Whether you aspire to create intricate designs or master the art of sugar flower confectionery, our courses offer a delightful journey through techniques, from fondant sculpting to intricate piping. You will learn to craft stunning designs that will make your cakes stand out. Join us and discover the sweet satisfaction of creating cakes that are not just desserts but also works of art.

  • Cake Decoration – Learn to Pipe Buttercream Flowers - Workshop
  • Cake Decoration – Modelling with Marzipan - Workshop
  • Cake Decoration – Festive Sugar Craft – Workshop

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Drawing Courses

We offer a range of creative drawing courses to suit all abilities from beginners to more experienced learners. Our lecturers are specialised and experienced at delivering courses that enhance the experience and enable you to progress.

  • Develop Drawing Techniques - Intermediate
  • Drawing at Walthamstow Wetlands - Wellbeing
  • Introductory Workshop - Drawing with Charcoal and Pastels - Taster
  • Introductory Workshop -Drawing Still Life – Taster

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Millinery Hat Making Courses

Millinery refers to the craft of designing, making, and selling hats, particularly women's hats. Millinry often involves using various materials such as felt, straw, fabric, and feathers to fashion elaborate or simple designs. Millinery can encompass a wide range of styles, from elegant and formal to casual and whimsical and has been an important aspect of fashion throughout history.

  • Millinery beginners - Making a Felt Hat

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Painting Courses

Our painting courses range from basic skills in Painting where you are guided through initial composition to line, tone colour and texture techniques to more specific oil, watercolour and Inks. We will enable you to explore impasto, glaze, and layering. We will also introduce you to a range of artists to enhance your learning experience.

  • Painting - Introductory to Watercolours – Workshop
  • Painting – Oil Painting Intermediate
  • Painting - Paint with Oils Taster - Switchboard Studios

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Printmaking Courses

Explore the possibilities that printmaking can offer. You will be introduced to the materials, the different techniques and processes to develop your own unique designs ideas. From Monoprints, to drypoint, woodcuts, stencil printing and lino cutting courses. Produce a variety of hand printed outcomes such as original prints and cards.

  • Printmaking – Introduction to Printmaking
  • Printmaking – Developing your Skills
  • Printmaking - Using Lino - Workshop
  • Printmaking - Art Inspired by Nature – Wellbeing
  • Printmaking - Wood Engraving - Switchboard Studios

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Photography Courses

Capture the world through your lens and unlock the secrets of storytelling through photography with our immersive classes. Whether you're an aspiring photographer eager to learn the fundamentals or a seasoned shutterbug seeking to refine your techniques, our classes cater to all skill levels.

  • Photography - Introduction

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Fashion and Textiles Courses

Learning to sew or to develop craft skills can open up a completely new world of opportunities. Sewing is a versatile skill, as it's challenging, therapeutic and useful all at the same time.
We have a range of courses to suit all abilities and levels of experience, from absolute beginners to Level 1 and Level 2. These courses could progress you to employment, or further learning.

  • Fashion - Start Sewing
  • Fashion - NCFE Level 1 Award in Creative Craft - Accredited
  • Fashion - NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Craft – Accredited

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Sewing Courses

Sewing is an adaptable craft, offering both a challenge and a therapeutic escape, while also being incredibly practical. Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service currently offer a range of beginner and intermetiate classes.

  • Fashion - Start Sewing
  • Sewing and Textile Crafts: A Beginner's Course for Parents - Parenting

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Upholstery Courses

Transform pieces of furniture with a variety of traditional and modern upholstery techniques. Learn skills to use upholstery tools and materials through working on personal projects. From stripping down to finishing trims, you will enjoy working with form, textures and colours to create desirable pieces of furniture.

  • Traditional Upholstery - Beginners
  • Traditional Upholstery - Level 2

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Seasonal Sparkles Festive Workshops

Join us for our special Christmas-themed workshops and celebrate the festive season by creating beautiful holiday decorations, festive treats and handmade gifts, all in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.

  • Festive Sugar Craft – Workshop
  • Festive Card Making – Workshop
  • Handcrafted Festive Wreaths – Workshops
  • Upcycle and Create Festive Decorations - Workshop

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Get in Touch

Whether you need to get in touch to join a course, let us know if you're unable to attend your course, raise a query, let us know your feedback or anything else, contact us using the options below. You can also talk to an adviser live by clicking on the green speech bubble in the bottom right of the screen.

Phone

020 8496 2974

Address

Queens Road Learning Centre
97 Queens Road
Walthamstow
London
E17 8QR