Teacher video: Pinch pots

This Art and design video supports teachers in guiding learners through the process of making and decorating a clay pinch pot using the score and slip technique. Inspired by the work of ceramic artist Ran Thi Bam, children create thumb pots by shaping clay with their hands, then practise joining and decorating with added clay features. The video demonstrates how to make and apply clay slip and how to securely attach new pieces by scoring the surfaces.

This video is part of Kapow’s Art and design resources, which support the Cambridge Primary Art & Design framework. It helps teachers confidently model fundamental sculptural techniques while encouraging creative experimentation. As part of the Sculpture and 3D: Clay houses unit, this lesson introduces two key clay skills—pinch pot construction and score and slip joining—that children will build on in future sculptural work.

Art and design, Stage 2, Unit 3: Sculpture and 3D: Clay Houses, Lesson 2: Pinch Pots