About Us

Who we are and what we do

Practical Skills Therapeutic Education

Learn more about our unique method

Safeguarding

Safeguarding across the Trust

Our Research

How our research informs everything we do

Our People

Meet our Senior Leadership Teams and Trustees

Our History

Explore the history of Ruskin Mill Trust

Publications

Additional reading materials

Policies

Policies covering Ruskin Mill Trust’s schools, colleges and staff

Ashdown Garden School

Forest Row, East Sussex, for ages 7-16

Opening October 2026

Brantwood Garden School

Sheffield, for ages 7-19

Clervaux Garden School

Darlington, for ages 10-19

Grace Garden School

Bristol, for ages 7-16

Sunfield Garden School and Children's Home

Stourbridge, for ages 6-19

View our prospectus

Argent College

Birmingham, for ages 16-25

Coleg Plas Dwbl

Pembrokeshire, for ages 16-25

Freeman College

Sheffield, for ages 16-25

Glasshouse College

Stourbridge, for ages 16-25

Ruskin Mill College

Nailsworth, for ages 16-25

View our prospectus

Clervaux Rise

Darlington, post-educational offer for ages 18+

Fairhill Rise

East Lothian, post-educational offer for ages 16+

View our prospectus

Clervaux Fold

Family respite centre for Army families at Catterick Garrison

View our prospectus

Freeman College

Apply

Welcome to Freeman College

Located in the heart of Sheffield and offering day and residential placements, Freeman College provides a transformative educational experience for young people aged 16 to 25 with special educational needs.

Housed in a historic former silver cutlery factory, the college blends heritage with innovation through Ruskin Mill Trust’s Practical Skills Therapeutic Education – a method that works through the hand, head, and heart to help students reimagine their potential.

A student gently taps a piece of pewter with a small hammer to finish a design.
How to apply

Hear from our students

Quotation mark

“Before I came to Freeman I felt like I couldn’t do anything… but now I’ve had my work exhibited in the V&A Museum!”

Hear from some of the pupils at Freeman College to see what they think of life at the college, and see what makes it such a special place to learn at.

Explore Freeman College

Education

Explore our PSTE curriculum.

Therapies

Learn about our therapeutic programmes.

Safeguarding

Meet our safeguarding team.

Residential

Find out about residential placements.

Freeman College at a glance

Key documents
Term Dates
Location

Ofsted reports

CQC Report (residential provision)

(These links will take you outside of www.rmt.org)

Policies

2025/2026 term dates

Term 1: Tuesday 9th September – Thursday 23rd October
Term 2: Tuesday 4th November – Friday 12th December
Term 3: Tuesday 6th January – Thursday 12th February
Term 4: Tuesday 24th February – Friday 27th March
Term 5: Tuesday 14th April – Thursday 21st May
Term 6: Tuesday 2nd June – Friday 10th July

2026/2027 term dates now available

Download a copy of the 2026-2027 term dates

Freeman College,
Sterling Works,
88 Arundel Street,
Sheffield S1 2NG

What3Words: ////copper.author.deputy

News from Freeman College

Aug 26 2026
Summer at Freeman Residential
As the summer holidays draw to a close, Freeman College Residential students are taking full advantage of the beautiful weather here in Sheffield. Here’s J enjoying...
A Freeman College student attending an arena concert, smiling beneath vibrant orange stage lighting.
Aug 24 2026
Residential Placements at Freeman
Residential students at Freeman College (Sheffield) enjoy a full and varied social and recreational programme, geared towards their personal areas of interest. Here is...
Students stood on a bridge in Central London with the horizon of London in the background.
Jun 10 2026
Pewter Live
Four students and three staff members from Freeman College attended the annual Pewter Live award ceremony during an overnight trip to London. The group included the...
Bicycle wheels used to weave ribbon
May 20 2026
Weaving Workshop at Freeman
On Tuesday, 12th May, Freeman College welcomed a visit from local artist and weaver Susi Clark. Susi led an inspiring and hands-on weaving workshop for students,...
Freeman student is demonstrating how they use a blowtorch, during there copper metalwork session.
Apr 28 2026
Creative Learning Through Metalwork
The curriculum at Freeman College centres on practical craft activities that build students’ skills and confidence. One of these is metalwork, delivered through three...
Apr 17 2026
Freeman Training Day
On Monday, 13th April, staff at Freeman College were treated to some sunshine on their training day.  The focus for the day was Field 2 – Practical Skills Therapeutic...
People are dancing in celebration of the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet.
Apr 01 2026
Celebrating the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
Staff at Freeman College, Sheffield, attended the celebration day for the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet (AIH), and it was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the...
Two pigs are pictured enjoying the woods at Freeman Market Garden.
Mar 26 2026
New Pigs for Freeman
Freeman College in Sheffield is pleased to introduce the newest members of its vibrant market garden: a lively group of Saddleback pigs. Arriving at the beginning of...
A student using a lathe to engrave a copper pot.
Mar 19 2026
Professional Open Day at Freeman College
Freeman College will be hosting a Professional Open Day on Wednesday, 1st April, with two different times at 10am & 2pm. The tour will last about an hour, and all...
Freeman College student stands smiling with the staff of Ridgeway forge, behind an old cannon they had restored.
Mar 12 2026
Ridgeway Forge Trial Day
A is a student at Freeman College who spent a trial day at Ridgeway Forge. He first had an induction with Andrew Renwick and was then supervised by Richard during the...

Open Days at Argent College

We welcome visits from potential students and their parents/carers, and professionals, throughout the year.

Please contact us to confirm the date you would like to visit and discuss an appropriate time slot. To book a place on an open day, phone Alice on 07977 020480 or Emma 07484 974235, or email wmadmissions@rmt.org to book.

Please also confirm whether you would require an individual visit or would be happy to attend with other families as part of a small group.

2026 open days

Tuesday 22nd September

Wednesday 30th September 

Thursday 8th October 

Friday 16th October

Monday 19th October

Wednesday 4th November

Thursday 12th November

Friday 20th November

Tuesday 24th November

Monday 30th November 

Wednesday 9th December

Open Days at Fairhill Rise

We welcome visits from potential service users, parents/carers, and professionals, throughout the year.

The group will be taken on a short tour of the site by a member of staff and meet with tutors and support teams. There will also be an opportunity to discuss individual needs, the admissions process, and any other queries you may have.

Upcoming Open Days:

2026

Monday 28th September

To book a place, or for more information, please contact Claire Mclean, Admissions Manager.

Open Days at Ruskin Mill College

We welcome visits from potential students and their parents/carers, and professionals, throughout the year.

There are only 4 student places (plus their parents/carers and associated professionals) available at each open day, so please ensure you book a place well in advance. Tours take place from 9.30am - 12.30pm.

The group will be taken on a short tour of the college by a member of staff and meet with tutors and support teams. There will also be an opportunity to discuss individual student needs, the admissions process, and any other queries you may have.

Upcoming Open Days:

2026
New dates will be available soon.

To book a place, or for more information, please contact Lyn Meredith on 01453 837502 or at lyn.meredith@rmt.org

Open Days at Glasshouse College

We welcome visits from potential students and their parents/carers, and professionals, throughout the year.

Our visit days at Glasshouse College are: 

Please contact us to confirm the date you would like to visit and discuss an appropriate time slot. To book a place on an open day, phone Alice on 07977 020480 or Emma 07484 974235, or email wmadmissions@rmt.org to book.

Please confirm whether you would require an individual visit or would be happy to attend with other families as part of a small group.

2026 Open Days

Monday 21st September

Friday 2nd October

Tuesday 6th October

Wednesday 14th October

Thursday 22nd October 

Friday 6th November

Tuesday 10th November 

Wednesday 18th November 

Thursday 26th November 

Wednesday 2nd December 

Monday 7th December

Open Days at Freeman College

Freeman College offers 1:1 site tours each week during both term time and holidays, giving prospective students and their parents/carers an opportunity to see the college and gain an insight into our craft-based curriculum.

To find out more and book a visit, contact Kate Walton, Admissions and Student Enrolment Manager on 07812 321 269 or at kate.walton@rmt.org

Open Days at Coleg Plas Dwbl

We welcome visits from potential students and their parents/carers, and professionals, throughout the year.

Diwrnodau Agored yng Ngholeg Plas Dwbl yw:
Our open days at Coleg Plas Dwbl are:

 

2026

New dates will be added soon.

Tours commence at 11am and 1.45pm.

Please contact admissions to book your preferred date and time slot. Light refreshments will be available. If you are unable to attend on the scheduled open days, please contact us directly for a bespoke tour. Please contact us to confirm the date you would like to visit and discuss an appropriate time slot. You can contact the team at at admissions@rmt.org or on 01994 419420

Please confirm whether you would require an individual visit or would be happy to attend with other families as part of a small group