Intermediate (L2) & Advanced (L3) Saddle
The Saddle making courses delivered at the Skills Centre teach students the knowledge and practical skills to construct modern saddles on wooden trees.
They will learn how to make a complete saddle from scratch including how to check a tree for symmetry, correct imperfections and how to strain the tree, before blocking the seat, making the panels and other parts before flocking and assembling the final product.
The courses will prepare students to take the relevant C&G Saddlery Skills Assessment at Level 2 or Level 3 during their training.
On the Intermediate course, students will construct a Pony saddle that meets the City & Guilds L2 Skills Test specification. This will be their test piece for the assessment during which they will also perform the practical exercise and take two written tests. Details for the written tests and the assessment process are set out in the C&G Candidate Handbook for Level 2 (Intermediate) Skills.
On the Advanced course students learn to make a Full saddle, embedding and applying the skills and knowledge learned when constructing the Pony saddle and practising to work at pace while not compromising quality.
The student will make two saddles:
- one is made to the specification set out in the C&G Candidate Handbook for Level 3 (Advanced) Skills (the pre-made saddle)
- the second saddle is constructed in stages before, between and during what is a 2 stage assessment process.
How the assessment of the 2nd saddle is conducted is set out in detail in the Candidate Handbook referred to above and which is available (with the Level 2 Handbook) from the website. The Level 3 Assessment also involves two written tests details of which are explained in the Candidate Handbook.
Duration, Fee and Bursary Support
Both the Level 2 & Level 3 Saddle courses are a minimum of 4 weeks each. If students have made sufficient progress they may be ready to take the skills test after 4 weeks. If not, they may require a further week of instruction.
Fees are £650 per week and do not include the trees and other materials for the test pieces which are charged at cost. Students are welcome to supply their own materials.
Bursary support is available to help with the course fees for eligible applicants. Once offered a place you will be asked to pay a deposit of £250 to secure your place.
Course Dates
Level 2 Saddle
Week 1: September 15-19
Week 2: October 13-17
Week 3: November 3-7
Week 4: December 1-5
Level 3 Saddle
Week 1: November 3-7
Week 2: December 1-5
Week 3: date in January 2026 to be confirmed
Week 4: date in February 2026 to be confirmed
Further weeks will be available in March and April if students are unable to commit to the dates above or if they need further time to get their saddles to the required standard.
Other Information
Students attend one week each month allowing them time in between courses to digest and practice what they have learned. Proficiency will depend on natural ability, focus, the ability to retain information and how much homework is done. If a student is not proficient in the skills required at the end of either of the two programmes, they will need to continue working on their skills until they are deemed to be capable of passing the skills test and producing a saddle to a high standard of finish.
Students will be required to machine parts of the saddle. If the student is not proficient at machining they will need to complete a machining module during their training to enable them to complete their saddle. This is a separate course and not included in the course fees above.
Students will need to have suitable facilities and their own tools in order to be able to practise at home. Students who wish to obtain the relevant qualification for this course will be registered for the C&G Skills Test for which a registration fee is payable.
If you want to discuss your interest further please email patrick@walsall-leather.org or telephone 07860 957580.
To apply for a place please choose the course you wish to apply for shown on the buttons above and complete the application form.
Qualification:
City & Guilds Diploma in Saddlery Level 3 (Saddle)
Certificate of Achievement for CPD