Download - Ruskin Mill Trust

Delivering excellent quality, achievement and value to young people,
their families and commissioners in the independent specialist college sector
Operates four independent specialist colleges, a special school and life-long residential
and training support for people with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Ruskin Mill Trust
www.rmt.org

Welcome
to Freeman College
Freeman College in Sheffield is one of four specialist colleges
operated by Ruskin Mill Trust offering both day and residential
provision. We have expertise in working with young people
aged 16-25 with complex behaviour and learning difficulties and
disabilities, including autistic spectrum conditions, whose needs
cannot be met elsewhere.
Freeman College campus based in
the heart of Sheffield’s metal work
industry.
Since 1986, hundreds of students have benefitted from the Trust’s
innovative Practical Skills Therapeutic Education programme that
draws its inspiration from Rudolf Steiner, John Ruskin and William
Morris.
The Freeman College practical skills curriculum is a three-year
course. It provides an exciting and wide range of course subjects
that give students the opportunity to learn through doing real-life
purposeful activities that enhance their intellectual, emotional and
physical health. Set in the centre of Sheffield and its metal working
heritage, the college combines a city and urban experience with
rural activities.
If you are interested in further information about the activities of
Ruskin Mill Trust, please visit our website at: www.rmt.org or use the
contact details at the back of this prospectus.
Care, guidance
and support are
very effective.
Ofsted 2010
Our experience is that, like all our students, you will discover the joys of
learning whilst at Freeman College and make real progress towards
developing personal, social, vocational and independent living skills.
You will also have the opportunity to meet many different people and
make new friends.

04 / 05
A Brief Tour
of the College
Sterling Works
Reception
Workshops
Offices
Canteen
Wentworth
Workshops
Offices
Canteen
Work Experience
Butcher Works
Academy of Makers
Work Experience
Bakery
Gallery
Tintagel House
Workshops
The Merlin Theatre
Residential
Eyre Street
Workshops
Offices
Maintenance
Drama
Music
High Riggs
A newly acquired
garden centre and
nursery offering training,
work placements and
commerce
We provide students
with a holistic
learning environment
through arts, crafts,
commerce, agriculture
& living skills.

06 / 07
Your
learning
Outcomes for learners are good.
They achieve a good range of qualifications
in vocational skills and personal
development and progress well into further,
higher education, training and employment.
Ofsted 2010
What we do
At Freeman College we listen to you and create an individual learning
plan with you. We will provide appropriate levels of support for you
throughout your programme and a practical skills curriculum that is
both educational and therapeutic. You will be able to learn through
real life activities in the workshops, the canteens and in our farm and
market garden. You will also be able to access courses at other local
colleges and do work experience. We will work with you to develop
your living and employability skills and plan for the future.
What we offer
Day and residential provision with a three year practical skills
therapeutic course that includes:
• Land-based craft and arts curriculum
• Living skills
• Citizenship
• English, maths and computing (functional skills)
• Speech and language, counselling and other therapies
• A wide range of qualifications within the Qualification
& Credit Framework
• Physical and sports activities
• Access to learning opportunities in the wider community
You can learn to
• Be safe and healthy
• Achieve and be more confident
• Make friends
• Recognise your strengths and where you need support
• Communicate your needs and wishes
• Manage your behaviour
• Cope with change
• Make choices and decisions
• Be more independent
• Understand the value of giving and receiving
• Develop skills for work and employment
Your future
We will work with you to plan your future when you leave
college by:
• Working in tutorials and seminar groups
• Developing a person-centred plan
• Working closely with your family, carers, Social Services
and Connexions Advisors
• Providing a Transition Passport
From raw material
to finished product
We provide you with a holistic learning experience
where you may gather the raw materials, process
them and learn the practical skills to make useful
and beautiful items.
From top left:
Weaving on a loom.
Preparing green wood.
Spinning copper in our metal workshops.
What other students have gone on to do
• Living independently
• Supported living
• Courses at other colleges
• Employment
• Supported employment
• Voluntary work
From raw material
to finished product
From top
A finished woven cushion cover.
A replica of the FA Cup made in
Copper Spinning.
Finished items in metal.

08 / 09
Juliana’s story
being encouraged & listened to
Juliana suffered a brain tumour when she was seven and has
struggled to develop her communication and practical skills.
Freeman College has offered Juliana the opportunity to develop
both of these and build up her confidence with the support of staff
and students. As a result, Juliana has been offered a place at
Hillsborough College, Sheffield, doing a full time Art and Design
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. Juliana now takes up her story.
“The head of my school suggested I should try coming
to Freeman College. I have been learning new things
and talking to the teachers which has never happened
in such a grown up way before. I am going on to art
college and will continue to live at home.
I can now do some cooking and have learnt to make
spaghetti from scratch. I get along with the students
which is something I couldn’t do before, so with this
and the staff I feel there aren’t such big barriers as
there were before. It has been enough to be here for
a year but I would have liked more but I am much
more relaxed so this will help me get on with my new
course when I leave.”
The spoon forging tutor gives an insight into
Juliana’s achievements.
Juliana with her silver spoon forged by hand
“When Juliana came, her wrists were quite weak and
I thought that spoon forging might be a step too far.
But she soon worked out her own style and techniquie
which has got her through. She has made a copper
spoon and fork to a high standard which involved a
lot of hammering. She has also saw-pierced copper
leaves, a running hare and made some Christmas
decorations.
She has just finished making a silver spoon which
is a real measure of improvement and ability as
silver is much more demanding than copper. She
has respected everything and everyone in the
workshop, been good with Health and Safety and
kept us amused with her quirky humour. Juliana has
progressed really well in a year in all areas of her life
and it has been a real pleasure to have her here.”
We believe all
people have the
potential for
positive change
and development.

10 / 11
Living away
from home
Being healthy
10 / 11
What we do
As a residential student you will live as part of the local community
rather than on the college site. Our provision is registered and
externally quality assured by Care Quality Commission (CQC) and is
available for 36 to 52 weeks a year.
We offer:
• Living in houses in small groups in the local area with family carers
• Opportunities to develop and improve your living skills and
independence
• Appropriate levels of residential support to meet your needs
• Help to plan your leisure time and access the community
• Healthy and organic food
• A range of different households to meet your growing independence
• Engagement in the college’s cultural programmes
You can learn to
• Travel independently to get around by yourself
• Manage your money
• Make arrangements to meet friends
• Look after your clothes and belongings
• Plan and cook healthy meals
• Shop and budget
• Make healthy choices
• Keep the house clean and tidy
• Socialise and arrange leisure time
• Develop personal relationships
• Live with others with respect
As a member of one of our households, we want you to be able to
follow your hobbies and interests, celebrate special occasions, be
involved in your development and to create an atmosphere of warmth
and appreciation.
Above Self-expression and
creativity in Art Therapy.
Below Climbing on a Health and
Wellbeing outing.
We will work with you to help you develop a healthy lifestyle and
care for your own physical and emotional wellbeing.
The college nurses and visiting doctors can help you with
monitoring your medication and with any health concerns. They
also provide a range of guidance and support services for epilepsy,
asthma, allergies, enuresis, contraception and sexual health,
weight management, routine blood tests, minor illnesses and
support to stop smoking.
We can cater for most dietary needs and we offer a wide range of
good healthy food. We also offer a range of activities that focus on
exercise including gym work, climbing, racquet sports, football and
volleyball so that you can increase your levels of fitness, strength
and stamina whilst also having fun.
To support your social and emotional wellbeing you will be able to
access:
• Speech and language therapy
• Psychological and medical services
• Anthroposophic and complementary medicine
• Counselling
• Massage (Hauschka)
• Movement therapy (Eurythmy)
• Art therapy (Hauschka)
A HEALTHY MANNER OF PLAY IS
NECESSARY IN ORDER TO have A
HEALTHY MANNER OF WORK.
John Ruskin

12 / 13
Celebrating
culture, community
and commerce
Being part
of your college
Throughout the year, there are many festivals and activities that
make up the cultural and community life at Freeman College. Music,
drama, preparation and organisation, food and catering and
fundraising are some of the ways you can become involved.
RUN OF THE MILL
Winter 2012
www.rmt.org
Taking a role in your learning
You will be involved in planning your own goals and timetable. You
will also be involved in reviewing your achievements in college and
in your household as well as planning your future, especially in your
third year.
How you can get involved:
Key events include:
• Join the student forum
• Annual festivals and celebrations
• Vote and participate in student council activities
• Student plays and musical performances
• Contribute to Run of the Mill magazine and the college newsletters
• Participation in Sheffield events
• Work in the Fusion Café and canteen
Above Items made by students for
sale in the college shop.
Below Students providing music for a
college drama production and, right,
a recent show based upon the life of
metal workers in Sheffield.
• The end-of-year student party
• Presentation Day
• Student end-of-year exhibition
The college runs an events programme, a gallery and a café that
are open to the public. We also participate in Sheffield City projects
and along with other enterprises, you will have an opportunity to
participate in the commercial activities of college life.
The Ruskin Mill Trust Magazine For:
Ruskin Mill College, Glasshouse College, Freeman College
Brantwood Specialist School, Clervaux Trust
and Plas Dwbl Farm College
Front Cover Summer 2012.indd 1 25/11/2012 15:41:02
Above ‘Run Of The Mill’ magazine
offers students and staff the
opportunity to express their work,
creativity and experiences within
college life.
Right Students, staff and Museums
Sheffield staff with the Lord Mayor
for the opening of Precious Cargo at
Sterling Works.
• Make suggestions about how to improve the college
• Contribute to our celebrations and festivals
• Participate in the college’s working groups, campaigns and events
• Host visitors
• Contribute to the student exhibition
• Attend events on behalf of the college
• Join in fundraising activities
• Undertake paid work
the college responds
very effectively
to learner’s views.
Ofsted 2010

14 / 15
Gabriel’s story
confidence and independence
Gabriel arrived at Freeman College overwhelmed with many
challenges but by the end of his third year he was able to
communicate and cope to such a degree that he now has moved
onto further education in a mainstream college, something he
would not have been able to do before his time at Freeman
College. Gabriel summarises some of his achievements.
Partnerships working with local groups,
other organisations, employers and agencies is
outstanding and highly beneficial to learners,
widening opportunities and enhancing their
vocational skills and personal development.
Ofsted 2010
“Freeman College has made me a lot more confident and expressive with
my own opinions and ideas. I know more of what I want to do. More than
anything I want to act; and I have a place at Sheffield College to study
BTEC Level 2 Drama.
Below Gabriel, right, in
a lead role of a drama
production at college.
I’ve improved my independent and social skills and can deal with
travelling on buses and trains, how to plan a journey and getting off at
the right stop. Going to Health and Wellbeing sessions has helped me to
become more active in sports. I’ve enjoyed and learnt from doing spoon
forging and how to use a hammer, anneal, acid etch and clean and finish
a piece of work then start again as I know now what to do.
My communication and socialising has improved and I am a lot more
chatty and make friends. I am now happy to move on to pastures new
with a positive mind-set but I will dearly miss those I have grown fond of. I
will miss Freeman College and it had made me mature enough to put the
past behind me.”
Top Presentation Day
at Freeman College.
Below Work experience
at Fusion Café.
“I’ve learnt a lot of new skills such as knowing how to
use knives properly in cookery. I have worked at all the
canteens at Freeman College as well as doing work
experience at Fusion Café. I didn’t know how to cook
when I came to college and I can now cook from scratch.
I have also learnt to multi-task from chopping vegetables
to serving customers, use the machines and the till, take
food to the tables and be nice and polite at the same time.
I would like to help others who have disabilities to learn
to cook. Before I came here I couldn’t talk to people that
much following some difficult experiences at my previous
school but now I can talk to people and had a lot of
support from the staff and made loads of friends. Freeman
College has been excellent for me!” Sam
Preparing to leave
Throughout your time here, we will work with you to prepare for
when you leave Freeman College. As preparing to leave can be a
challenging time, you will work closely with your transition team
and in small groups throughout your final year.
At your final Annual Review we, along with your family or
guardians, social worker, and other key people in your life, will set
up a plan of action according to your realistic plans and wishes for
the future.

16 / 17
Ruskin Mill Trust
Vision, Values, Purpose & Method
Charitable Objectives
To advance the education of young
people with learning difficulties and/
or behavioural problems or special
educational needs through training in
the areas of arts, craft, agriculture and
environmental sciences, with particular
reference being given to the indications
and insights of Rudolf Steiner in these
areas.
To promote research into the practice and
development of those areas of education
provided that all research findings will be
widely disseminated.
Standards
Our Vision
Each individual experiences meaningful relationships
with universe, earth and people and has the potential
to shape their own future.
Our Values
• We value inclusive learning and living activities that
integrate the intellectual, relational and practical.
• We value respecting and striving to understand all
peoples’ differences and uniqueness.
• We believe all people have the potential for positive
change and development.
• We value relating with openness, goodwill, tolerance
and treating individuals with dignity and respect.
Hiram Education and Research Department
The Hiram ERD is Ruskin Mill Trust’s centre for staff training and professional development and aims at
supporting the quality and effectiveness of teaching throughout our colleges.
Equality and Diversity
Ruskin Mill Trust is fully committed to promoting equality and diversity throughout its provision and in the
wider community. Each of our centres have Equality and Diversity Officers as we believe that by respecting
difference and challenging all forms of discrimination amongst students, staff, visitors, contractors,
volunteers, trustees and the wider community, it creates an inclusive, positive and accessible learning
environment.
Our Purpose
• We provide students with a holistic learning experience through arts, crafts, commerce, agriculture,
nutrition, living skills and the environment.
• We operate social enterprise and commercial activities that involve students, staff and the community.
• We provide education, training and research opportunities for staff and the wider community.
• We provide cultural events and festivals for the students, staff and the community.
We do this so that
• Students learn to look after themselves to the best of their ability and make a positive contribution to
society.
• Funders can offer a meaningful education to a wide range of learners.
• Parents and supporters are reassured and confident that their children’s needs are being met.
• Staff feel fulfilled.
Our Method
Inspired by Aonghus Gordon using the insights of Rudolf Steiner, John Ruskin and William Morris,
Ruskin Mill Trust works with hand, head, heart and place to provide students with the tools to transform
material and in doing so transform themselves. In this way students come to recognise themselves
and others, they develop self and social awareness and are empowered to achieve and make positive
contributions to society at large, giving back in a self-directed, productive and enjoyable way.
reconnecting with the land
exploring relationship
through cycles of life
Six Centres – One Curriculum
Integrated Learning for Living and Work Programme
fostering relationships
restored energy
revitalised purpose
respect through responsibility
transition into community
Safeguarding
Ruskin Mill Trust is committed to ensure that your environment is safe and supportive. Our designated
Safeguarding Managers and their teams are trained to give support to students as well as staff.
Health and Safety
Ruskin Mill Trust is committed to your safety, health and wellbeing while you attend our colleges. Each centre
has a designated Health and Safety Manager and also an external Health and Safety Advisor, who is an
expert in all these issues, to ensure learning areas and activities are properly assessed.
Complaints
Freeman College takes you and your learning journey at our colleges very seriously. We have a complaints
policy that you can use if you need to let the college know you are not happy about something.
Ruskin Mill Trust is a Rudolf Steiner Charitable Trust which operates Ruskin Mill College, Plas Dwbl Farm College, Glasshouse College,
Freeman College, Brantwood Specialist School, Transform Residential Ltd and works in collaboration with Clervaux Trust.
Registered Charity Number 1137167. Sole Trustee: Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, registered in England and Wales. Registration Number: 7252866.
Registered Office: Ruskin Mill, Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth, Glos GL6 0LA, UK.
landscape
farming
horticulture
forestry
transforming raw materials
into items of civility through aesthetics
generating self-worth
a new inner identity
craft
the craft of homemaking
practical, aesthetic and functional skills
transition, independence, achievement
catering & hospitality
and work
Animal
Plant
Mineral
functional skills & accreditation
the harvest is shared
in the home and canteen
nutrition for body, soul and spirit
arts, drama & aesthetics
developing social confidence
through artistic expression
and cultural activity
work experience
independence
transferable skills
communication
enrichment
connecting with community
and belonging through work
experience and social enterprise

18/ 19
Admissions
We take
referrals
throughout
the year at
each centre
For all initial enquiries and to arrange a visit on a college open
day, please phone the admissions team at Freeman College on
0114 252 5953 or email: admissions@fmc.rmt.org
52-week
and
respite
provision
available
To find out how and why our provision can meet your needs
as a parent or carer, social worker or commissioner, visit our
website: www.rmt.org
Ruskin Mill Trust provision
in England and Wales
• All Trust provision ranked Good to
Outstanding by Ofsted
• 100% of students make significant
progress and development
• 97% Retention rate
• 95% Achievement of recognised
qualifications
• Integrated Learning for Living and Work
Programme
• A therapeutic education approach
• Outstanding transition into
and out of college
• Life-long provision
Plas Dwbl Farm College
Mynachlog-ddu, Pembrokeshire
• 16-25 years
• Residential & day students
• Up to 52 weeks per year
Clervaux Trust
Darlington, Co Durham
• 18+ years
• Residential & day students
• Up to 52 weeks per year
Freeman College
Sheffield
• 16-25 years
• Residential & day students
• Up to 52 weeks per year
Brantwood Specialist School
Sheffield
• 7-19 years
• Residential & day students
• Up to 52 weeks per year
• Registered Children’s Home
Glasshouse College
Stourbridge, West Midlands
For more information about Freeman College please contact:
The Admissions Team
Freeman College, Sterling Works, 88 Arundel Street, Sheffield, S1 2NG
t 0114 252 5953 e admissions@fmc.rmt.org
For more information about Ruskin Mill Trust
please visit our website: www.rmt.org.uk
Design: www.aircreativedesign.com
Inspected
A member of
NATSPEC
Ruskin Mill College
Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
• 16-25 years
• Residential & day students
• Up to 52 weeks per year
• 16-25 years
• Residential & day students
• Up to 52 weeks per year
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