Glasshouse College - Ruskin Mill Trust

Glasshouse
College
Ruskin Mill Trust
Operates independent specialist colleges and a school
for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities

Welcome
to Glasshouse College
Glasshouse College in Stourbridge, West Midlands is one of three 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.
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 Glasshouse 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.
If you are interested in further information about the activities of Ruskin
Mill Trust, please visit our website at: www.rmet.org.uk or use the contact
details at the back of this prospectus.
Our experience is that like all our students you will discover the joys of learning
whilst at Glasshouse 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.
Top The courtyard at Glasshouse College.
Above Student contributing to the
development of the Glasshouse
College prospectus.
learners successfully develop
skills required to progress
onto further education,
training and employment.
Ofsted 2010

04 / 05
A Brief Tour
of the College
Glasshouse College is based at the former Royal Doulton glassworks in Stourbridge
and includes Vale Head Farm at Kinver and The Greenwich Woodland at Four Ashes.
Vale Head Farm
Land Work
Animal Husbandry
Workshops
Farm Canteen
Ruskin Vale Organics
Glasshouse
Workshops
Coffee Shop
Organic Shop
Ruskin Glass Centre and Café
The Glasshouse Arts Centre
Administration
Above and left
Glass Work and work experience
at Ruskin Glass Centre
Below from left
Drama at the Lehr Theatre
The Weavery Workshop
The Coffee Shop
The Greenwich Woodland
Workshops
Woodland Management
Woodland Kitchen
Woodland Blacksmith

06 / 07
Your
learning
learners greatly benefit from
the highly personalised
learning programmes and
outstanding range of
curriculum activities on offer.
Ofsted 2010
What we do
At Glasshouse 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 on our farm, in our canteens and in our workshops. 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:
• Glass making
• Drama and theatre skills
• 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
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 seed to table
From planting, harvesting, preparing
food to serving customers, students
are involved in the whole cycle from
‘Seed to Table’.
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
What other students have gone on to do
• Living independently
• Supported living
• Courses at other colleges
• Employment
• Supported employment
• Voluntary work

08 / 09
Living away
from home
learners make good progress in their
independence, social, personal and
communication skills to enable them
to integrate successfully into the
wider community.
Ofsted 2010
From top
Bird watching with a house parent.
Time together in a household.
Time out together at the weekend.
Opposite
Work experience at Ruskin Vale Organics.
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 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 in creating an atmosphere of warmth and appreciation.

10 / 11
Being healthy
Being part
of your college
Above Lunchtime in the Coffee Shop.
Bottom right Team building and having
fun in raft building.
A HEALTHY MANNER OF PLAY IS
NECESSARY IN ORDER TO have A
HEALTHY MANNER OF WORK.
John Ruskin
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 including epilepsy, diabetes, asthma,
allergies, enuresis, contraception and sexual health, weight management,
routine blood tests, minor illnesses and support to stop smoking.
We can support your 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 including
a ‘Social Use of Language Programme’
• Psychological and medical services
• Anthroposophic and complementary medicine
• Counselling
• Massage (Hauschka)
• Movement therapy (Eurythmy)
• Art therapy (Hauschka)
Above ‘Run Of The Mill’, published
termly, offers students and staff the
opportunity to express their work,
creativity and experiences within
college life.
Below The students’ termly newsletter.
Student Voice
June 2010. Edition 5
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:
• Join the student council
• Vote and participate in student council
• Contribute to Run of the Mill magazine and the college newsletters
• Work in the college coffee shop and Ruskin Glass Centre Cafe
• 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
• Sell college produce at local farmers’ markets
• Undertake paid work
Have
your say...’

12 / 13
The Student
Journey
Glasshouse College is for people with learning difficulties
and people who need help for work experience and
for learning new skills to help develop their confidence,
friendship, eye contact, and communication. I like this
college because you can do many things such as glass
blowing and engraving and stone carving. The food at this
college is organic which is nice.
Nathaniel, 1st-year student
I have learnt a great deal while being at
Glasshouse College and feel more capable and
confident especially with my living skills. I’ve
learned how to cook and travel independently
and I’ve enjoyed living with other students. I have
lived and worked on the farm looking after the
sheep and chickens and helping at lambing time.
I look forward to moving into Home Providing
to help me develop my independence skills –
especially using money. I hope to work with
children and animals in the future and will do
more courses to help me develop skills for work.
Jess, 2nd-year student
I feel much better having been at Glasshouse
College and would definitely recommend it as it
has done wonders for me. Both staff and students
are very nice and don’t judge you straightaway. I
am hoping to get support from the council and I
would like to have my own flat and part-time work,
hopefully working with my hands. I am doing an
NVQ Level 2 in jewellery, weaving and horticulture.
Chris, 3rd-year student
Left Students on their Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
We believe all people have the
potential for positive change
and development.

14 / 15
Celebrating
culture, community
and commerce
From top ‘Oedipus’ - a student and staff
drama production.
The International Festival Of Glass.
Student work in Art History.
Throughout the year, there are many festivals and activities that make up
the cultural and community life at Glasshouse College. Music, drama,
preparation and organisation, food and catering and fundraising are some
of the ways you can become involved.
Key events include:
• Visiting theatre companies
• Dance and music
• Talks and exhibitions
• Student plays, devising and performing
• Stage management
• Front of house and stewarding
• Annual festivals and celebrations
• The International Festival Of Glass
• Mask festival
• The End of Year Student Party
• Presentation Day
• Student End-of-Year exhibition
Ruskin Glass Centre houses:
• Glass making businesses
• Work experience opportunities
• Retail shop
• Visiting public
The college runs an events programme, a gallery and a coffee shop
that are open to the public. Along with other enterprises, you will have an
opportunity to participate in the commercial activities of college life.
In the first year I learnt a lot about living away from
home and it was difficult at first. I had to get on with
other students and that was challenging and I had
to change myself. In my second year I did ‘Leaps and
Bounds’ – a dance and performance project – and I
got to perform at the Hippodrome in Birmingham.
As a result my relationships have improved. Enisa
Top Presentation Day
Above Work experience
Three years at Glasshouse has really helped me mature
in lots of ways, like managing my anger and dealing with
problems in a more grown up way. I really appreciate
what the staff have done for me here and my third year
has been the best so far as I’m realising how to act in a
better way for myself and other people. It wasn’t an easy
choice to come here, living away from home really got to
me in my first year and I still struggle with it now but I’m
really glad I came because I have grown up a lot and feel
like a better person for it. Chris
Preparing to leave
Throughout your time here, we will work with you to prepare for when you
leave Glasshouse 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, Connexions Advisor and other key people in your life, will set up a
plan of action according to your realistic plans and wishes for the future.

Ruskin Mill Trust
Vision, Values, Purpose & Method
Six Centres – One Curriculum
Reconnecting with the land.
Exploring relationship
through natural cycles.
The craft of homemaking
fostering relationship.
Restored energy
Revitalised purpose
Respect through responsibility
Transition into community
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.
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.
landscape
farming
horticulture
forestry
composting
minerals
The harvest is shared in the
home and canteen - nutrition for
body, soul and spirit.
commerce
Animal
Plant
Mineral
industry
Developing confidence through
artistic expression and cultural activity.
Seven care homemaking qualities:
rhythm
warmth
nourishment
culture
constancy
trust
recreation
table
food
technology metal glass
Belonging within the community
through social enterprise.
Animal
Plant
Mineral
stone
craft
textiles
leather
basketry
green wood
pottery
Transforming raw materials into useful
and beautiful items brings achievement,
self-worth, a new inner identity.
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.
Ruskin Mill Trust is a Rudolf Steiner Charitable Trust which operates
Ruskin Mill College including Plas Dwbl, Glasshouse College, Freeman
College, Brantwood Specialist School, Clervaux Trust and Transform
Residential. Registered Charity Number 1053705. Sole Trustee:
Ruskin Mill Trust Ltd, registered in England and Wales. Registration
Number: 031192673. Registered Office: Ruskin Mill, Old Bristol Road,
Nailsworth, Glos GL6 0LA.
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 selfdirected,
productive and enjoyable way.
Ruskin Mill Trust Practical Skills Therapeutic Education
By connecting the curriculum with
place, Ruskin Mill Trust provides
the enabling context within which
students develop a growing sense
of awareness and responsibility.
Brantwood School
Plas Dwbl
Clervaux Trust
Freeman College
Glasshouse College
Ruskin Mill College
By making positive contributions
to their immediate environment
and beyond, students participate
in the collaborative regeneration
of place, as well as the
regeneration of themselves.

18 / 19
Admissions
& Standards
Admissions
The process of assessment for admission is designed to ensure the best
possible fit between the needs and interests of the applicant student
and the provision available at Glasshouse College during term time and
college holidays.
All initial enquiries for places and to enquire about College Open Days
please phone Pat Hart, Admissions Co-ordinator at Glasshouse College on
01384 399434.
Above The Glasshouse College coffee
shop team providing wonderful food
at The International Festival Of Glass.
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
Glasshouse College is fully committed to promoting equality and diversity
throughout the college and wider community. It believes 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.
Safeguarding
Glasshouse College is committed to ensure that your environment is safe
and supportive. Our designated Safeguarding Officers are trained to give
support to students as well as staff.
Health and Safety
Glasshouse College is committed to your safety, health and wellbeing while
you attend the college. We do this by risk assessing all of the learning areas
and the activities that you will do. The college has a designated Health and
Safety Manager and also an external Health and Safety Advisor who is an
expert in all these issues.
Complaints
Glasshouse College takes you and your learning journey at college 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.
For more information about Glasshouse College please contact:
Pat Hart
Admissions Co-ordinator
Glasshouse College
Wollaston Road
Amblecote
Stourbridge
West Midlands, DY8 4HF
t 01384 399434 e pat.hart@ghc.rmet.org.uk
For more information about Ruskin Mill Trust please visit out website: www.rmet.org.uk
Design: www.aircreativedesign.com