Yeah most of it is in there. Our technician mainly stacks the kiln for firing, but does carry out repair jobs as well.
Basically you use red clay or grey. Red is softer. When making models, bits are stuck on by scoring and slipping (slip is very runny clay, which our techie mixes up). If this isn't done properly then bits fall off, and have to be repaired when fired, with pva glue. Ours make little clay figures and often don't do this properly. The kiln looks like the aftermath of the French Revolution, with lots of little heads everywhere...
Never ever let plaster near clay or it will blow up in kiln. All items unless very small, must have a hole inside them as heat causes clay to expand, and they will blow up in the kiln.
Clay must be totally dry before being fired into biscuitware.
Glazes are painted on after biscuit firing, and then fired again. Some glazes are pinted on, and some you dip the item into
Most important thing is to NEVER fire anything with out a name on, as they are completely unidentifiable.
The kiln is stacked in shelves that are supported on little cylinder things. I think this is done to let air circulate.
Clay is a H&S issue. Clay dust must be wet wiped as it is an allergan and can cause asthma. Also some glazes and slips have H&S issues, but are not really used in schools. Also it can cause or irritate eczema.
HTH good luck! Feel free to ask anything else
Also, all sinks should be fitted with clay traps or it will block sink
You will have to do something called "pugging", which is recycling dried clay. When clay is being used it should be kept damp.Any left over is left to dry, then soaked in water and recyled or pugged. Some places have a damp and dry cupboard, but most don't