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.

Glasshouse College received grants and funding of £2.1 million for the refurbishment and development of the site. In addition, The Glasshouse Arts Centre received £2.1 million to develop a high quality performing arts space, theatre and heritage centre. The Ruskin Glass Centre also received £1.5 million in grants. 

Glasshouse College campus is adjacent to the Stourbridge canal and in addition to the craft workshops on the site, students can work on the narrowboat, travelling along the canal and also contributing to maintaining the moorings, keeping the canal clear of litter and maintaining the boat. Glasshouse also benefits from the Ruskin Glass Centre which is a community resource and includes a café and a range of independent craft workshops including cake baking, stained glass, and gifts. Students participate in work experience alongside the external employers, developing retail skills and customer service.

The site also includes the Furnace Theatre which is a state of the art theatre, and welcomes touring theatre groups. The touring groups offer workshops to students which then informs the college drama programme.

Valehead Farm is a 46 acre site with a working farm and woodlands near Kinver. Students participate in biodynamic farming and work with the chickens goats and cows on the site, helping to care for them. In addition to the agricultural and land activities, there is a weaving and felting workshop, and a greenwood work shop at Valehead farm.

Glasshouse College also has access to Greenwich Woodlands which they rent and manage, working with students on the Woodland Restoration project. The Iron Age Forge is located at the woodlands.