Ruskin Mill Trust - Glasshouse College
- Specialism:
Young people with learning disabilities, including autistic spectrum disorders. - Residential/Day:
Residential and day places - Course Start Dates:
We accept new students throughout the year. - Course Length per Year in weeks:
36 or 52 weeks per year - Maximum Student Numbers:
Maximum 95 students - Age Range:
Age 16 – 25
General Description of College:
Glasshouse College is based at three sites, the main site being the former Royal Daulton glassworks in Stourbridge, West Midlands. It provides a range of craft workshops including glass-making and glass-cutting, a newly refurbished commercial glass centre and coffee shop open to the public, a studio theatre, and a narrow boat on the Stourbridge canal. The College’s nearby Vale Head Farm offers horticulture, woodland management, land-based crafts and catering in a 36 acre rural setting. Greenwich Woodland creates opportunities for green woodworking, forging, clay and pottery workshops, bow making and archery.
The Curriculum:
Students take part in individual programmes designed to enable them to make the most of their potential and work in small groups of two or three. Therapeutic craft and land work, numeracy, literacy and ICT, art and drama, external courses, work experience in the community and vocational training are all available. The college offers challenging educational and training activities. Glasshouse College offers both day and residential placements.
Specialist Facilities:
Residential provision is based in domestic households set in the local community. Students can progress from this highly structured provision to out-boarding and training flat placements, where students have the opportunity to take higher levels of personal responsibility. 52-week placements are also available.
Statements:
- expertise in working with learners with Asperger syndrome
- expertise in working with learners with autism spectrum disorder
- expertise in supporting learners with emotional difficulties
- expertise in supporting learners with behavioural difficulties
- expertise in working with learners with autism spectrum disorder with associated challenging behaviour
- expertise in meeting the needs of students with moderate learning difficulties
- expertise in working with learners who have been affected by abuse or personal trauma
- expertise in working with students who have specific learning difficulties
- an extensive programme of performing arts
- a range of vocational courses with opportunities for accreditation.
- opportunities to work towards qualifications within Foundation Learning
- opportunities to improve literacy, numeracy and/or communication skills
- opportunities to attend local mainstream colleges with support
- a work placement scheme with local employers
- opportunities to take part in a wide range of social, leisure and sporting activities
- a programme to help learners to look after themselves more independently
- guidance and counselling services
- a range of therapeutic services
- residential provision extending beyond the academic year
- day provision


