Assistant Teacher / Production Assistant

Leather Bag Making Studio

Location: Studio-based
Contract: Self-employed

Pay

  • Teaching: £13 - £15 an hour for assistant teaching (depending on experience) up to £25 per hour for solo teaching 

  • Prep & production work: £13 per hour

Working pattern, dates & flexibility

Teaching takes place on selected Fridays and Saturdays, typically every fortnight, with some additional Saturday teaching days depending on the course schedule.

You will also be required to attend the studio ahead of teaching days to cut and prepare bags and materials. In addition to prep before classes, there will be one dedicated prep day per month focused on preparing bags for upcoming lessons.

Hours will vary from month to month, so this role requires flexibility. All teaching, prep and training dates will be planned and agreed in advance.

Training dates will be arranged prior to each class to ensure you feel confident and fully prepared.

Production work is not fixed weekly and will be arranged separately when manufacturing projects are scheduled.

Confirmed dates required

March

  • Saturday 7th

  • Saturday 14th

  • Saturday 28th

April

  • Saturday 11th

  • Friday 24th

  • Possible Saturday : 18th

  •  Saturday 25th

May

  • Friday 8th

  • Saturday 9th

  • Saturday 16th

  • Saturday 23rd

June

  • Saturday 6th

  • Friday 12th

  • Saturday 13th

  • Saturday 20th

July

  • Friday 3rd

  • Saturday 4th

  • Friday 10th

  • Saturday 11th

August – December

  • Further dates will continue through August and September, with teaching scheduled through to the end of the year.

About the role

I’m looking for a reliable, practical and enthusiastic Assistant Teacher / Production Assistant to join my leather bag-making studio.

I currently have a young baby and will be returning to work in March. I’m looking for someone to support teaching, lesson preparation and the day-to-day running of the studio, helping everything run smoothly.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to develop their skills and grow with the business. Long term, there is the opportunity (if desired) to independently teach Bex’s courses and/or create and run your own course at the workshop.

Key responsibilities

Teaching support

  • Assisting Bex during in-person lessons

  • Advising students on next steps during their bag-making process

  • Helping create a friendly, calm and welcoming learning environment

Lesson & studio preparation

  • Cutting and preparing bag components ahead of lessons

  • Monthly dedicated prep day for lesson materials

  • Setting up sewing machines and workstations

  • Making tea and coffee for students

  • Tidying and resetting the studio

Production support (as arranged)

  • Supporting small-scale manufacturing projects

  • Working alongside Bex and the head seamstress

  • Assisting with production tasks when projects are scheduled

Studio organisation

  • Stock checking and ordering materials

  • Supporting the day-to-day running of the studio

About you

Essential

  • Experience sewing and working with leather

  • Confident with practical, hands-on work

  • Understanding of leather, stabilisers and hardware

  • Friendly, polite and welcoming with people

  • Punctual, organised and reliable

  • Flexible and adaptable to varying dates

Desirable

  • Strong interest in bag making

  • Interest in teaching or course development

  • Interest in small-scale production

  • Ambitious, motivated and keen to grow

What this role offers

  • Hands-on experience in a creative, growing business

  • Skill development in leather bag making and teaching

  • Mentorship and close collaboration

  • Clear long-term progression to independently teaching and/or creating and running your own course at the workshop

How to apply

Please email your application to:

📧 info@rjleatherstudio.com

In your email, please answer the questions below.
This doesn’t need to be formal — we’re just looking to get a good sense of your experience and whether the role is a good fit.

Please include the following in your email:

1. Sewing & leather experience
Tell us about your sewing experience, particularly any work with leather (machines used (domestic/industrail), types of projects, years of experience, etc).

2. Teaching or people-facing experience
Have you supported teaching, workshops, or worked directly with customers or students before? If yes, please describe.

3. Availability
Are you available for the listed teaching dates between March and July, including Fridays and Saturdays, plus prep days in advance of classes?
(Yes / Mostly / No — please explain if needed)

4. Why this role appeals to you
What interests you about working in the studio and supporting bag-making courses?

5. Future goals
Are you interested in teaching independently or creating your own course in the future?

6. Links (optional)
Instagram, website, portfolio, or examples of your work.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Selected applicants will be invited to an informal chat and/or a paid trial session in the studio.