9, 14, 15 June 2011
During an inspection in response to concerns
The students told us about their day at Ruskin Mill and what activities they liked doing. They told us they liked living in the houses where they lived. One very new student told us he was settling in and about future plans.
Students had made friends with the people they lived with and we observed pleasant banter between them.
One students told us they had attended a school nearby for evening classes. Most students were independently going to and from college. Several students went out in the community independently.
Students leaving college this year were eager to tell us about their plans to work or to complete another course elsewhere.
We looked at a students collection of photos on their computer and another student's sporting certificate achievements that they were proud of. The students were talkative and we observed that a small child living with them was always taken care of by the houseparent.
After talking to the students, who were at different stages of their education, it was apparent that Ruskin Mill college supports young people to develop their potential and achieve good results in learning new skills. The third year students we spoke to were confident, and the future plans they had made were a tribute to their increased self esteem.
The concerns we found related only to Outcome 7 of the essential standards.