our history
A history of Ruskin Mill Trust
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.
Through this process, students come to recognise themselves and others, they develop self and social awareness and are empowered to achieve and make positive contributions to society, giving back in a self-directed, productive and enjoyable way. Scroll down the page to explore the history of the development of the Trust from 1981 to the present day.
the beginning
Ruskin Mill Centre for Arts and Cultural Regeneration, the predecessor to Ruskin Mill Trust, is founded by Aonghus Gordon. Students from a nearby specialist school come to work alongside master craftspeople in the gardens and help restore the mill building
living earth training course
The Living Earth Training Course develops as a precursor to developments of Ruskin Mill Trust, established in Nailsworth.
ofsted
Ruskin Mill College’s first Ofsted inspection. Grade 2, Good
ruskin mill college
As the project grows, the Trust acquires Horsley Mill, the trout farm and the woodlands. Horsley Mill becomes the centre for Ruskin Mill College
waldorf college
The co-founded Waldorf College opens in the Centre for Science and Art in Stroud
glasshouse college
The Trust applies its highly successful method to its second specialist college in the heartland of the Industrial Revolution in Stourbridge, at the Royal Doulton glassworks
makhad trust
A co-founded trust to assist nomadic people develop projects that promote sustainable living and protect their traditional culture
freeman college
The Trust expands north and Freeman College in Sheffield is opened, with a part gift of the Merlin Tintagel Theatre. Freeman is the Trust’s first city centre college, based in an old silver cutlery factory
clervaux trust
Clervaux Trust established for young adults with support from the NEETS government grant. The Trust sets up its first adult social care provision
hm king charles visit
His Majesty King Charles (formerly the Prince of Wales) visits Ruskin Mill College in Nailsworth
coleg plas dwbl
Following the gift of a 100-acre farm, Ruskin Mill Trust sets up a provision in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Coleg Plas Dwbl opens in 2011.
brantwood school
brantwood school
Clervaux Trust established for young adults with support from the NEETS government grant. The Trust sets up its first adult social care provision
ruskin mill land trust
master's degree in practical skills therapeutic education
MSc in Practical Skills Therapeutic Education is launched with University of the West of England
the field centre
A centre for research in Practical Skills Therapeutic Education. Built for academic and practical research with gifts and grants received from the UK, USA and Germany
argent college
Located in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter in a restored jewellery factory, Argent College includes a café, heritage centre, community arts spaces and a biodynamic urban rooftop micro farm
meristem
Meristem College is co-founded in Sacramento, USA, for adults with autistic spectrum conditions
clervaux fold
With funding from the Treasury Libor Fund, Clervaux extends its services to military families, and Clervaux Fold is launched
master’s degree in education
MEd is launched with Inland Norway University, Lillehammer
sunfield garden school
Sunfield Garden School and Children’s Home is gifted to Ruskin Mill Trust
life science trust
Gifted as a centre for Goethean Science research in Scotland. The Seòl Trust is also launched for adult social care
clervaux garden school
The specialist school for 10 to 19-year-olds successfully launches
ty'r eithin
Following a gift of the farm site, Ruskin Mill Trust transforms Ty’r Eithin to become a campus of Coleg Plas Dwbl, which is launched in September 2020.
trigonos
Trigonos in North Wales is gifted to the Trust, and a social enterprise initiative for hospitality is launched
ruskin mill centre for practice
Ruskin Mill launches a new Trust to deliver a new training for its 1300 staff. Launch of the MA programme and holding of PhD research culture
grace garden school
Part-gifted by the Catherine Grace Trust, the school opens in June 2021
ma pste welcomes first cohort
Ruskin Mill Trust delivers the inaugural module of its Master’s degree in Practical Skills Therapeutic Education in partnership with Huddersfield University
helios
Helios Health Centre, Bristol is gifted to the Trust
ruskin mill centre for research
A new research trust is launched to undertake research into Goethean science and Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual science
Developments in 2024
and a flowering of initiatives
place, craft and neurodiversity
A new book by Aonghus Gordon and Laurence Cox is published:
Place, Craft and Neurodiversity – Re-imagining Potential through Education at Ruskin Mill.
second group of the pste master’s degree
Ruskin Mill Trust welcomes its second group for the Master’s degree in Practical Skills Therapeutic Education.
hrh the princess royal visits ruskin mill college
The Princess Royal visits Ruskin Mill College, marking a significant event for the college and its wider educational charity.
founder succession
Aonghus Gordon and Tara Gratton begin working together as Co-Chief Executive Officers (Co-CEOs) for the next 12 months.
grace garden upper school
Located at the former Helios Medical Centre, the school will open shortly and be ready for the transfer of the older pupils to this beautiful new site on the outskirts of Bristol.
emerson college
Emerson College joins Ruskin Mill Land Trust in October 2024.
rowan tree centre for health
Launches on 9 November 2024, offering Anthroposophic and complementary therapies in Bristol, located in the former site of Helios Medical Centre.
biodynamic 100 awards
Ten Ruskin Mill staff are being recognised for their excellence in the application and initiation of biodynamic work in the UK. Ruskin Mill and all its colleges have also been nominated and selected to receive the Outstanding BD Practice – Farms & Organisations Award, as part of the Biodynamic Association BD100 awards.
initiating ashdown garden school
As part of the development of Emerson, planning gets underway for the launch of Ashdown Garden School in 2025 on the Emerson site.