Mary Ward Centre - Changing Lives Together

Mary Ward Centre - Changing Lives Together Specialises in Adult Education: Large enough to sustain a wide, relevant range of courses yet small The Mary Ward Centre is part of the Mary Ward Settlement.

As a hub for adult learning, the Mary Ward Centre offer a diverse range of part-time courses covering arts and crafts, humanities, fitness, essential skills, and ESOL, all designed to fit seamlessly into the lives of Newham residents. For over a century, the Mary Ward Centre has been dedicated to lifelong learning in London. Founded as part of the Settlement Movement in the late 19th century, our mission has always been to provide inclusive and accessible education to adults from diverse backgrounds. Known as “the friendly place to learn,” studying at Mary Ward is more than just attending a class—it's about becoming part of a supportive community. Many of our learners find camaraderie and friendship, making the educational journey both enriching and enjoyable. From art to Zumba, pottery to ukulele, computing & business to psychology, there is plenty of choice to meet your interests or practical needs. Some courses lead to a certificate so you can add to your qualifications, but there is also lots of opportunity to pursue study purely for the pleasure of learning. Visit our website at www.marywardcentre.ac.uk to discover more about us and become part of our vibrant community!

We’re recruiting!We’re looking for passionate and creative people to join the team at Mary Ward Centre.We’re currently r...
11/09/2026

We’re recruiting!

We’re looking for passionate and creative people to join the team at Mary Ward Centre.

We’re currently recruiting for:

🎨 Curriculum Manager – Art, Health & Wellbeing
Help shape and develop our courses, working with the team to create an inspiring programme.

✏️ Sessional Tutors
We’re always interested in hearing from experienced and enthusiastic tutors who would like to share their skills and knowledge.

If you’re passionate about adult education and creating a welcoming learning environment, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Find out more about the roles and how to apply via our website: https://www.marywardcentre.ac.uk/jobs/

10/09/2026

🧶 Ready to take your knitting further?

Already know the basics of knitting and looking to make something a little more ambitious?

From cosy socks and scarves to sweaters, homewares, Christmas decorations and handmade gifts, there’s so much more to explore once you’ve mastered the fundamentals.

Join Rosina on a journey beyond the basics. Develop your knitting skills, try new techniques and build your confidence as you work on more challenging projects and create pieces that are uniquely yours.

Start now, and you could have something handmade ready for winter or Christmas!

07/09/2026

💍 Create a ring, pendant or bangle that's completely your own – or make a special gift for someone you love.

In our beginner's jewellery course, you'll begin with the basics of jewellery making, learning how to cut, shape, hammer and solder metal before progressing to your own designs. By the end of the course, you'll have developed practical skills and created beautiful handmade pieces to treasure.

A wonderful course for friends, family members or couples looking to make something meaningful together.

04/09/2026

There’s much more to printmaking than you might think!

From carving and inking to pressing, layering and experimenting, printmaking is full of different techniques and ways to create an image.

Lino printing is one of the printmaking techniques, but it’s just the beginning.

Our Experimental Printmaking Evening course with Linda is a chance to explore different printmaking techniques, experiment with materials and develop your own ideas. With years of experience as a printmaker, Linda brings plenty of knowledge, enthusiasm and practical guidance to the course.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what you could create with a piece of lino, some ink and a little imagination… why not give printmaking a try? 🖤

🧵 **From little pieces to something beautiful!**Earlier this summer, our **Patchwork Tote Bag** workshop was a big hit. ...
24/08/2026

🧵 **From little pieces to something beautiful!**

Earlier this summer, our **Patchwork Tote Bag** workshop was a big hit. In just one day, participants turned pieces of fabric into their very own colourful tote bags — and we love seeing how different each one turned out!

Patchwork and quilting have often been used to reuse leftover fabric, giving scraps that might otherwise be thrown away a new life. So that favourite piece of fabric you've been keeping in a drawer for years? It might just become your next project!

Ready to make something of your own? Book your place now for our fashion and textile courses!

Learning doesn’t stop with our learners.At Mary Ward Centre, we know how important it is to keep learning and developing...
21/08/2026

Learning doesn’t stop with our learners.

At Mary Ward Centre, we know how important it is to keep learning and developing — and that applies to our staff too. This summer, while our classrooms are a little quieter, we’re taking the opportunity to build our team’s skills and prepare for the new academic year.

This week, we visited the Roland Berger team at their office for a tailored Excel training session, designed specifically around our needs and existing skills. Before the session, they took the time to understand our organisation and assess the participants’ Excel experience, allowing the training to focus on what would be most useful in our day-to-day work.

It was fantastic to see everyone so engaged and enthusiastic throughout the session, with plenty of questions, discussion and hands-on learning. We’re looking forward to putting these skills into practice, working more efficiently and continuing to improve the way we support our learners.

A big thank you to be/impact for arranging this opportunity, to Roland Berger for making the session so useful and enjoyable, and to everyone who took part!

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that combines slow, flowing movements with mindful breathing and relaxation. Ofte...
19/08/2026

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that combines slow, flowing movements with mindful breathing and relaxation. Often described as “meditation in motion”, it is can help improve balance, flexibility, posture, coordination and mobility, while also strengthening muscles and reducing stiffness.

Many people find that it helps them feel calmer, reduces stress and increases confidence in everyday movements such as walking, climbing stairs and getting up from a chair.

Our experienced Tai Chi instructor, Leon Fan, brings a friendly, enthusiastic approach to his classes. Young, approachable and passionate about Tai Chi, Leon will guide you through the movements at a comfortable pace and help you build confidence as you learn.

Whether you're completely new to Tai Chi or looking for a gentle way to stay active, come and experience it for yourself at Mary Ward.

🇮🇹 🇫🇷 Ciao! Bonjour! Language learning is always better face-to-face.Put down the apps and join us in the classroom to p...
14/08/2026

🇮🇹 🇫🇷 Ciao! Bonjour!
Language learning is always better face-to-face.

Put down the apps and join us in the classroom to practise speaking, listening and building confidence in a friendly and supportive environment.

Whether you're planning a trip abroad, learning for work or simply love languages, our Italian 1A and French 1A courses are the perfect place to begin your journey.

📅 Starting this September – book now to secure your place!

Meet Nicholas Baldion, one of our new art tutors joining Mary Ward Centre this September.Nicholas is an award-winning p...
07/08/2026

Meet Nicholas Baldion, one of our new art tutors joining Mary Ward Centre this September.

Nicholas is an award-winning painter whose work has been exhibited at venues. Friendly, approachable and passionate about helping people develop their creativity, he believes that drawing and painting are about much more than learning techniques. For him, art changes the way we see the world, helping us notice more, think more deeply and express ourselves with confidence. His teaching combines strong foundations in drawing and painting with encouragement to develop your own creative voice and artistic style.

This September, Nicholas will be leading Drawing for Absolute Beginners, Portrait (Mixed Levels) and Drawing on Location. Whether you're completely new to art or looking to develop existing skills, you'll find a welcoming, supportive environment where curiosity, observation and creativity can flourish.

"I thought pottery was just about making things with clay. I didn't realise there was so much more to explore."When Glor...
05/08/2026

"I thought pottery was just about making things with clay. I didn't realise there was so much more to explore."

When Gloria joined our 6-week Evening Pottery course, she had never worked with clay before. Just six weeks later, she'd created a collection of bowls, small plates and even a clock face.

Along the way, she discovered that pottery is full of surprises.

*"Wheel throwing looks so easy in videos, but it's much harder than it seems! As I worked with the clay, I felt a real connection to the earth. It was challenging, but I'm so glad I gave it a try."*

Now Gloria already has ideas for her next projects and is looking forward to returning in September to continue her pottery journey.

Whether you're completely new to ceramics or looking to develop your skills, our pottery courses offer a welcoming space to experiment, learn and create.

Pottery courses are now open for September. We can't wait to see what you'll make.

Address

275-285 High Street, Stratford
London
E152TF

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 10pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 10pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 10pm
Thursday 9:30am - 10pm
Friday 9:30am - 10pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+442072696000

Website

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