Education at Argent College
Through craft and land-based activities, pupils develop resilience, responsibility, and a strong sense of community. The use of natural materials and outdoor learning environments supports pupils’ physical and emotional well-being, with drama and art further enriching this holistic approach, helping students build confidence, communication skills, and self-awareness.
The curriculum
Argent College is based in a beautiful Grade II listed former Victorian jewellery factory and offers a varied curriculum around jewellery and metal work, and a unique rooftop urban micro farm.
The college builds on its historic roots, offering jewellery making, leatherwork, textiles, candle making and photography. The rooftop garden offers an oasis in the middle of the urban environment and students help to grow and harvest fresh fruit and vegetables that are used in the canteens and cafes. Students from Argent College can access some curriculum activities at Glasshouse College, helping to ensure that each individual receives a rich educational experience.
Students at Argent College each have a unique timetable that is developed out of their Education, Health and Care Plan and informed by their individual needs and interests. The practical craft activities and work on the rooftop urban micro farm help students to develop essential work skills, which they can later apply in one of the many on-site social enterprises. The small group work, problem solving and creativity help students to develop social skills, self-confidence and self-awareness.
Through the Practical Skills Therapeutic Education curriculum, students develop the work and living skills they need to lead fulfilling lives and be able to contribute to their local community. The renowned Hive Café and Bakery and the Heritage Centre at the college both provide valuable opportunities for students to develop their work skills and job readiness before transitioning to their next steps.
Careers Education
Careers Lead: Vanessa Wade, Careers and Employability Lead
Contact: Email vanessa.wade@ghc.rmt.org
Ruskin Mill Trust’s vision is that each student is on a journey towards ‘self-generated conscious action.’ Drawing on the visions and values of the Trust, Argent College understands careers in its widest sense – how individuals can make a meaningful contribution to society based on their unique talents, abilities and aspirations. This is the guiding principle that informs our approach to Careers Education, Information and Guidance (CEIAG.)
Learners at Argent College complete meaningful work, with skills for adult life and preparation for adulthood built into the PSTE curriculum. Students experience an environment reflecting the world of work, where they learn to work safely with tools and in different weather conditions, developing transferable skills in preparation for their next steps beyond college. Preparing for adulthood outcomes including work readiness, community inclusion and managing health and wellbeing, are also achieved through topics integrated into sessions such as healthy eating, healthy relationships and managing emotions.
Our CEIAG curriculum has been developed in line with the eight Gatsby benchmarks for ensuring best practice:
1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each student
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experience of work places
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance
It aims to ensure that our students, where appropriate, are able to access the independent information and guidance they need to help them choose pathways that are right for them, and to be able to manage their life choices beyond college. Our careers programme includes: employer engagement activities and experiences, social enterprise sessions, internal and external work experience, and independent advice and guidance alongside a bespoke study programme implemented by a student’s Education, Health and Care Manager.
Students are able to engage in external work placements within the timetable, pursuing their interests in line with their aspirations. Sessions build towards a student completing an outward facing programme within their transition year, to best prepare for them for the next stage in their adulthood.
Outdoor Learning
Argent College is located in the Standard Works, in the heart of the jewellery Quarter in Birmingham City Centre and has good rail and bus links. The Jewellery Quarter is a thriving residential and commercial centre with a range of shops, cafes and restaurants within walking distance, providing opportunities for students to visit their local community.
In addition to the college, The Standard Works includes the award winning Hive Café, where students develop their catering and work skills, the Heritage Centre and community workspaces which are available for hire to local community groups.
There is also Cornerstone, a Jewellery Social Enterprise where students, who have developed skills through the college jewellery curriculum move into making items to sell to the community, creating lines of jewellery and working with a master practitioner, connect to other local jewellery companies to fulfil various projects.
The Standard Works has a large flat roof which is used for the urban rooftop garden, which is managed biodynamically and produces fruit and vegetables used in the college canteen and Hive Café, so students experience the Seed to Table process.
High Riggs provides an opportunity for students to come out of the city centre and work on the land, experiencing the weather and the seasons. Through the seasons and the associated festivals, students develop a sense of rhythm and time and a deeper understanding of the natural world around them.
Fundamental British Values
At Ruskin Mill Trust colleges, we actively promote positive, inclusive values. These include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect for and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. We believe British values are those values expected of anyone living in Britain, regardless of their nationality, culture or religious belief.
Our ethos, curriculum and purpose reflects these values. We place great emphasis on building positive relationships in college, amongst the students themselves and between staff and students. We strongly believe students should not merely be taught such values but that they are embedded into school life.
- We value inclusive learning and living activities that integrate practical activity, thinking and our emotions.
- We value mutual respect and we strive to understand all people’s differences and uniqueness.
- We value the capacity for re-imagination present in all people, towards positive change and development.
- We value openness, goodwill, tolerance and treating individuals with dignity and respect.
- We strive to support our students to develop into confident, happy, successful young adults who have empathy towards and an understanding of those less fortunate than themselves.
The Fundamental British Values Policy reflects how our schools work to promote positive values through the ethos and life of the college, for example through a rich and deep curriculum (Practical Skills Therapeutic Education), and through social, moral, cultural and spiritual development.