Ruskin Mill Colleges

[rocky1705]

We re looking around for a placement for our dc. I would really appreciate if anyone would share their experience and knowledge about any of the Ruskin Mill Colleges or any similar provisions.

As long as DC suit that type of provision, I have heard good things about some of Ruskin Mill Trust’s settings.

Thanks SearchingForSolitude, I like their college out door ideas but not sure about their qualifications.

From supporting others the qualifications offered aren’t as broad or academic as some other settings. However, they can sometimes offer individual students qualifications they don’t ordinarily offer all pupils, or at least one of their schools can because they did for someone I have previously supported, so I can’t see why the college can’t.

@SearchingForSolitude do you work in a send provision?

No, I don’t.

Just because you stated “someone I have previously supported” so I thought you may be working in send.

I work very part time for an organisation that supports parents of disabled children. Not just educational matters, but the role includes that. Rather than in a SEN provision. I also help some others outside of work.

@SearchingForSolitude thanks, I m looking for a residential placement for my dc but there aren’t that many around.

If you are looking for somewhere that still offers some outdoor education but also offers more academic qualifications you could look at Boveridge. It doesn’t suit all DC, but some like it.

Or if you are looking at more vocational provision with entry level qualifications Fairfield College or Camphill.

We looked at the glasshouses provision in stourbridge a few years ago. dh loved it but mainly I think because he is fascinated by glass-making! In the end ds2 decided to go a more academic route. At that college they taught specialised craft skills but not so much leading to qualifications. Some of the students produced some fantastic work but whether longer term it lead to employment (or self-employment) I do not know. Different Colleges in the group focus on different crafts.

@SearchingForSolitude We have looked at boveridge in Dorset. It s a bit far though we re considering residential.
@OneInEight in terms of qualifications I felt the same. But they do the AIM qualifications to meet individual students’ needs. It s like a high GCSE but below A level.

What an awful place, the food is highly questionable if you ask, despite their bragging. The college is badly maintained and scruffy. Their food is disgusting and their hyping is a teal concern. They don't offer any useful or standard qualifications. The ones they do offer are not worth the paper their written on. The students aren't too bright either. Not somewhere to send a vulnerable adult in my opinion. Highly unprofessional and only care about funding and are willing to lie to attain funding fir a placement. These criminals are not to be trusted with a barge pole, or a frigging light year. What awful food may I add again, highly offensive and poorly prepared stored, handled and cooked. Cooked by people who don't know even the basics in food preparation or hygiene. What terrible food!!!!!!!!!!!

@Ihateruskinmill sorry to hear your experience of Ruskin Mill. Were you a parent of a formal student? Hope you have found a suitable placement.

I'm a former student of the glass house college, I visited Ruskin Mill on at least 6 occasions, but I didn't like it. I found them rather unusual. When I explained to them I wasn't a fan of organic, they didn't like it. I was tricked by the glass house into a care home. My whole experience with these 2 placements was a very negative one. Thank you for your kind words and understanding, not everyone is like that. I can only advise you keep your distance from these people, their not good people. Trust me, you don't want anything to do with them, or their parent organisation. I hope you do well in life

Sorry to have heard about your experience. Hope you had managed to find a suitable placement to give you the qualifications you wanted.