Done It! We're Now an Accredited Provider of Training Excellence

I'm genuinely thrilled to share some news: The Woodturning School has been awarded official accreditation as a Provider of Training Excellence by the Professional Development Consortium.

This has been something I've wanted to pursue for a while. Not for the badge itself — though I won't pretend it doesn't look rather nice — but because of what it represents and what it means for everyone who comes through the workshop door.

What is Provider of Training Excellence?

The Provider of Training Excellence accreditation is awarded by the Professional Development Consortium after a rigorous assessment process. They evaluate how training is designed, how it's delivered, and whether it genuinely supports learners in developing real skills.

In short, it's independent confirmation that we're doing this properly.

For me, it sits alongside the RPT (Register of Professional Turners) status that Les and I both hold. The RPT recognises us as professional woodturners. The Provider of Training Excellence accreditation recognises The Woodturning School as a professional training provider. Together, they mean you're learning from practising turners whose teaching methods have been independently verified.

Why I Pursued This

I've always believed that teaching woodturning is about more than just showing someone how to use a gouge. It's about building confidence, developing judgement, and helping people find their own relationship with the craft.

But I also believe in having that approach validated by people outside my own workshop. It's easy to think you're doing a good job. It's more meaningful when an independent body looks at what you're doing and says: yes, this meets our standards.

The assessment process itself was useful. It made me think carefully about learning objectives, about how I structure the day, about how I help students take what they've learned and build on it afterwards. Some of that I was already doing instinctively. Having to articulate it clearly was good discipline.

Process Over Perfection

Those of you who've been to the workshop know my philosophy: process over perfection, community over competition. I believe in meeting people where they are and giving them space to develop at their own pace.

None of that changes. If anything, this accreditation confirms that approach works. The Professional Development Consortium looked at how we teach and decided it meets their standards for excellence. That's gratifying.

What you'll experience in the workshop will be exactly the same: patient instruction, time to practice, and work you're proud to take home.

Looking Forward

This accreditation applies to all our classes — from the Pen Turning Experience through to the Two Day Beginners course and our specialist workshops looking at more advanced techniques.

If you've been thinking about booking a class, perhaps this tips the balance. And if you've already been to the workshop, thank you - your feedback and progress are what made this accreditation possible.

Here's to continued learning, one cut at a time.