Valehead farm – Glasshouse College

3 apprentice places
Contact: Ed Berger
Address: Valehead farm, Compton Rd , Kinver, Staffordshire DY7 5NJ
Tel: 01384 399400 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            01384 399400      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            01384 399400 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            01384 399400      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: 01384 399401 Mob: 07977 174 772 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            07977 174 772      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            07977 174 772 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            07977 174 772      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Email: ed.berger(at)ghc.rmet.org .uk
Website: www.rmet.co.uk/index.php/the_colleges/the_glass_house

Valehead Farm is situated below extensive National Trust woodland and has a shallow loamy sand soil. Conversion to a biodynamic farm and market garden began in 2004.
Vegetables and fruit are grown on our two acre market garden, with 3 polytunnels for propagation and indoor cropping, soft and top fruit and outdoor vegetables grown on a rotational basis in permanent beds. The produce goes to an organic vegetable delivery scheme which runs from the farm as well as to college kitchens and houses. A wool dying and leather workshop is on the same site and connects the garden to the farm through the growing of dye plants, the dyeing of fleece and the processing of skins into leather.
The farm has a small flock of Shetland sheep, about 50 laying hens and is developing a small herd of Jersey cattle and Saanen goats for milk production and processing. A woodland management program is run from the farm into the surrounding National Trust woods, coppicing mainly sycamore. The whole site is 32 acres.
Apprentices work largely alongside staff and students and take part in regular tutorials, study groups and observation sessions. They live in their own accommodation either on the farm, or in the surrounding area.
The Glasshouse College is one of three colleges owned by the Ruskin Mill Educational Trust (RMET), a charitable organisation pioneering education for young people with social and learning difficulties. The students participate in a wide ranging crafts and land based curriculum, tutored by experienced craftsmen and land workers. The theatrical arts are emphasised strongly, with a theatre which runs a year round programme of events available to the public and students alike. The Glasshouse College main site is situated in a regenerated glass factory in Stourbridge, and is supported by and integrated with Valehead farm and a woodland within 5 miles of the main site.