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 2026
Level 2 (Intermediate) & Level 3 (Advanced) Saddle
February 5-6
April 9-10
May 2-3
June 11-12
July 2-3
August 29-30
September 16-17
October 10-11
November 5-6
December 16-17
We will be flexible in accommodating students who are unable to commit to all of the above dates and will work with them to achieve completion of the course on alternate dates in 2026 or into 2027 if necessary.
Please email patrick@walsall-leather.org if the above captures your circumstances and we will contact you to discuss a solution.
Other Information
Students attend for a total of 20 days (4 weeks) over the year allowing them time in between attendances 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 programme, they will need to continue working on their skills until they are deemed to be capable of passing the skills test and producing a modern saddle to a high standard of finish.
There is a requirement to machine parts of the saddle. If the student is not competent at machining they will need to complete a machining module during their training. 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. Those wishing to obtain the relevant qualification for this course have to apply to sit the C&G Skills Test for which an assessment fee is payable to the Society of Master Saddlers.
If you want to discuss your interest further please email patrick@walsall-leather.org or telephone 07860 957580.
To apply for a place please use the Apply Now link and select the relevant course on the Application Form.
Qualification:
City & Guilds Diploma in Saddlery Level 3 (Saddle)
Certificate of Achievement for CPD