Children - they are unique in both their biography and in who they may become.
To address their individual needs, Ruskin Mill Trust employs the method of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education. This method is applied in its schools, colleges and post-formal educational provisions, and is delivered in carefully tailored timetables.
Practical Skills Therapeutic Education is infused with the insights of Rudolf Steiner, William Morris and John Ruskin. The trust’s recent garden school movement has proved very successful from the perspective of children and parents.
Its schools start with caring for animals, the harvesting of produce, and taking part in meal preparation. Each provision nurtures creativity and imagination with an emphasis on solution-orientated practical skills. Qualifications provide structure and recognition for a child’s growth and development, whilst offering many aspects of the national curriculum.
Through a land and craft-based curriculum, the trust’s colleges provide innovative education and learning experiences for post-16 education students who often struggle with traditional learning environments.
Every trust centre draws inspiration from the local land and craft heritage to develop its own unique curriculum. Qualifications can advance individuals towards future pathways, be it independent living or if appropriate, the workplace.
The trust offers residential opportunities for children, young people and adults. These care facilities support a holistic culture which integrates seven key care qualities (rhythm, warmth, nourishment, trust, constancy, culture and re-creation).
The residential environment provides stability for the children and young people to access its unique education.
All Ruskin Mill Trust schools, colleges and adult care provisions work closely with regulatory bodies to ensure they are providing quality education and care. All trust provisions are graded good by Ofsted, with elements that have been recognised as outstanding. In Wales, CIW and Estyn have appraised trust provisions as providing high quality services.
The care is also recognised by the Care Quality Commission as being good to outstanding, with inspectors and parents commenting on the warmth and strong relationships experienced in the homes.
The trust hopes that the information laid out above will give you an overview of its provisions. If you have any questions about any of the information presented, or if you would like to know more and arrange a visit, please contact the admissions team.
