• 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 110 students
• Age Range:
  Age 16 – 25

General Description of College:
Ruskin Mill College is situated in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, on a 100 acre site that includes a range of workshops, exhibition space and an organic coffee shop which is open to the public. The college operates a biodynamic/organic farm, two market gardens, an organically-run trout farm, and a sustainable woodland, offering an outstanding range of land and craft based activities including, horticulture, animal husbandry, forging, green woodwork, papermaking and textiles. Ruskin Mill College also operates a new provision, Plas Dwbl, in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

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. Ruskin Mill 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:

1. expertise in working with learners with Asperger syndrome
2. expertise in working with learners with autism spectrum disorder
3. expertise in supporting learners with emotional difficulties
4. expertise in supporting learners with behavioural difficulties
5. expertise in working with learners with autism spectrum disorder with associated challenging behaviour
6. expertise in meeting the needs of students with moderate learning difficulties
7. expertise in working with learners who have been affected by abuse or personal trauma
8. expertise in working with students who have specific learning difficulties
9. a specialised land-based curriculum
10. a range of vocational courses with opportunities for accreditation.
11. opportunities to work towards qualifications within Foundation Learning
12. opportunities to improve literacy, numeracy and/or communication skills
13. opportunities to attend local mainstream colleges with support
14. a work placement scheme with local employers
15. opportunities to take part in a wide range of social, leisure and sporting activities
16. a programme to help learners to look after themselves more independently
17. guidance and counselling services
18. a range of therapeutic services
19. residential provision extending beyond the academic year
20. day provision