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

Sunfield Garden School

Welcome to Sunfield Garden School

Sunfield Garden School and Children’s Home sustains a distinguished historical legacy in the beautiful Clent Hills, West Midlands.

Tucked away within 52 acres of beautiful grounds, Sunfield Garden School uses the unique craft and land-based Practical Skills Therapeutic Education curriculum to nurture a calming environment where each young person is given the space, time, and care to grow. 

How to apply

Quick links

Key documents

Policies, SEND Information Reports, Local Offers

Our team

Meet our Senior Leadership Team

Contact

Get in touch with the school

Term dates

View or download the school term dates

Concerns and complaints

Click here for our complaints process and policy.

Ofsted rating: GOOD

Read the latest Ofsted Education report

Read the latest Ofsted Care report

Hear from our students

Quotation mark

“When I’m at Sunfield I feel warm inside.”

Hear from some of the pupils at Sunfield Garden School to see what they think of life at learning at the school, and see what makes it such a special place to learn at.

Explore Sunfield Garden School

Education

Explore our unique PSTE curriculum

Therapies

Learn about our therapeutic programmes.

Safeguarding

Meet our safeguarding team.

Residential

Explore our residential offer

Students and Parents

Newsletters, student council, events and more.

Our team

Sarah Whittington

Sarah Whittington

Executive Principal

Esther Parker

Esther Parker

Assistant Headteacher for Lower Garden School and 
Careers Lead

William Tranter

William Tranter

Deputy Principal for Inclusion

Karen Fletcher

Karen Fletcher

Deputy Principal for Curriculum and Quality,
Qualified Teacher for the Vision Impaired
Examinations Officer

Phil Hardy

Phil Hardy

Assistant Principal,
Designated Safeguarding Lead,
Attendance Lead and Behaviour Lead

Claire Beaumont

Claire Beaumont

Educational Visits Coordinator and Pastoral, Education and Health Manager

Denise White

Denise White

Human Resources Manager and Mental Health and Well-Being Lead

Vincent Powell

Vincent Powell

Head of Care and Registered Manager

April Campbell

April Campbell

Director of School Improvement, Ruskin Mill Trust

Meet Sunfield's Trustees

News from Sunfield Garden School

Sunfield Student is standing in the foreground on a balcony, wearing hi-vis, with his teddy poking out of his pocket, smiling in the bell foundry. Behind you can see the workers in the foundry wearing overalls and working hard in the brick warehouse.
Aug 26 2026
A Bell for Sunfield
Now cast, the Sunfield bell bears the inscription: "The human being is a unity of body, soul and spirit," a quote from Ita Wegman, whose voice and work were central to...
Student is sat smiling with pride in a bright colourful classroom, wearing a black and white felt waist coat they made.
Aug 07 2026
The Warmth of Wool
In textiles this spring, students have been working on a project to feel the warmth of wool on their own bodies by making their own felted wool waistcoats. This...
Students are lying on the floor under a table covered with a blanket to create a blackout effect. They're using one tall prism and four torches to create different light in red, blue, pink, and green. The students are smiling with achievement.
Jul 07 2026
Living Colours at Sunfield
Bilberry class have continued their journey within Sunfield’s newly developed science curriculum informed by Goethean Science. They have been exploring more deeply the...
Jordan and Frankie are both picture working together to learn new skills. One is stood behind the till in Sunfield, learning how to use the till. While the other acts as a shopper to work on his independence,.Jordan and Frankie are both picture working together to learn new skills. One is stood behind the till in Sunfield, learning how to use the till. While the other acts as a shopper to work on his independence,.
Dec 08 2025
Stepping into Sunfield
Beginning a new school journey often brings a blend of emotions: excitement, curiosity, nervousness and hope. At Sunfield Garden School and Children’s Home, we believe...
An external photo of Sunfield. It's a bright afternoon with autumn leaves scattered on the front lawn.
Oct 20 2025
Sunfield awarded GOOD rating from Ofsted
We're delighted to announce that Sunfield Garden School and Children's Home has been awarded a GOOD rating after its latest inspection by Ofsted.You can read the report...
Sunfield student Jayden is stood showing the crafted stag’s head coat rack he created.
Oct 09 2025
STAG-eringly Beautiful
Jayden has spent the whole of the term shaping and creating a stag’s head coat rack. He has been a part of every single process. The idea behind the project was to...
The team at Bunzl are stood in front of their office, smiling and preparing for their walk.
Sep 16 2025
Charity Walk for Sunfield
On Saturday 13th September, the brilliant team at Bunzl Safety & Workwear Solutions took part in an impressive 15-mile walk from their offices in Wednesbury to...
Pictured is a student with his hands in a mixing bowl, preparing a simple dough.
Aug 07 2025
Baking at Sunfield
Pictured is a student with his hands in a mixing bowl, preparing a simple dough.
Pictured is staff and students gathered around the course tutor, who used a lifelike prosthetic legs and detailed mock injuries to demonstrate critical first aid techniques. A staff member held a blood drip bag, simulating the urgent care of a trauma patient.
Aug 07 2025
First Aid Heavy Trauma Injury Course
A group of staff and students from Sunfield Garden School and Glasshouse College took part in a First Aid Heavy Trauma Injury course to upskill them in health and...
Pictured is a red tractor in a field at Sunfield, sowing wheat into the soil.
Aug 07 2025
Sowing the Yearly Crop
Sunfield Garden School in Clent have been getting their fields ready to sow their yearly crop of wheat.  

Get in touch

Sunfield Garden School and Children’s Home
Clent Grove
Woodman Lane
Clent
Stourbridge
West Midlands DY9 9PB

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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