Applications now open: 2026 Six Week Workshop Experience Course

We’re now accepting applications for the 2026 Woodworking & Gender 6-Week Workshop Experience Course, running 11 May – 18 June 2026 at Sylva Wood School, Oxfordshire.

This course is designed for women, trans (including trans men), and non-binary furniture makers and woodworkers who want dedicated time in a professional workshop to refine and broaden skills, strengthen confidence, and reconnect with a sense of purpose and belonging in the craft.

Over six weeks (four days per week, Monday to Thursday), participants will work in a supportive environment that mirrors professional practice, combining industry-level expectations for quality and pace with a culture of care, collaboration, and growth. We aim high, while creating a space where mistakes are part of the learning process and where everyone is supported to develop and push their skills.

Who the course is for

This course is open to women, trans (including trans men), and non-binary furniture makers and woodworkers.

If you’re unsure about your experience please still apply! Research shows that women and people from under-represented genders are more likely to hold back unless they feel they “tick every box”. We know that confidence and experience don’t always match, and we’d love to explore your experience with you to see if the course could be the right fit.

We welcome applications from:

• recent furniture making graduates and those who have already completed making-focused courses
• practising makers seeking structured time to refine and reaffirm their skills
• those returning to workshop practice after a break, looking to rebuild confidence and speed
• early-career makers wanting to develop new skills, connect with peers, industry mentors, and professional networks

What you’ll gain

Professional practice
Experience the rhythm and standards of an active furniture workshop through low-volume batch production, supported by expert tutors and visiting professionals from across the industry.

Industry connection
Meet and learn from leading makers, workshops, and employers both on site and through workshop visits. Explore what quality and efficiency mean in real-world contexts and prepare for the expectations of professional practice.

Build confidence and belonging
(Re)build your sense of ease and self-assurance in the workshop. This is a safe, inclusive space where students are encouraged to challenge themselves, try and fail, ask questions, and establish a sustainable pace.

Open and friendly workshop culture
We believe the best workshops are built on kindness, humour, and respect. Ours is a space where people look out for one another, share tools and knowledge generously, and take pride in our community.

Accessibility and learning support
Teaching is structured and paced to support a range of learning needs. The course runs Monday–Thursday, 9am–4:30pm, with clear daily routines and space for reflection and feedback. Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns so we can understand your needs and adapt if feasible.

Course details

Dates: 11 May – 18 June 2026
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Location: Sylva Foundation, Wood School, Little Wittenham Road, Long Wittenham, OX14 4QT
Fee: £250

How to apply

Applications are now open and the deadline is 28 January 2026.

Apply via the form: https://forms.gle/VaSFAhHJuBeX4KcP8

If you have questions, want to share any material or want to chat before applying, please email us at: gender@sylva.org.uk

We aim to hold informal online chats with all applicants (if feasible) in early February 2026, so you have the opportunity to bring your application to life and ask any questions before decisions are shared by mid-February.

To find out more about the Woodworking and Gender project visit the dedicated website at https://gender-project.sylva.org.uk/ or the Wood School website https://woodschool.sylva.org.uk/