Freeman College

Freeman College is located in the Sterling Works in the heart of Sheffield. The Sterling Works was previously occupied by CW Fletcher and Sons who manufactured silver cutlery, tableware and trophies. The area surrounding Freeman College has transformed from industrial factories into education and research buildings, including Sheffield Hallam University. Freeman College extends through the city to Butcher Works, which is next door and houses the Academy of Makers and Fusion Café, and High Riggs, biodynamic gardens and woodlands, located in the greenbelt surrounding Sheffield. Curriculum Sheffield has been famous for cutlery manufacturing since the 1800’s and therefore Freeman College has a strong metal curriculum, and the signature craft is silver spoon forging. Using traditional methods, students learn to hand forge spoons, forks and knives using copper at first and once they have developed the skills, they have the opportunity to work with silver. In addition to forging, students can participate in a wide and varied range of other craft activities including; Whittletang, Textiles, Copper Spinning, Pewter work, Jewellery, Iron Age Forge, and Green Woodwork. Connecting to the Land High Riggs is a 9 acre biodynamic market garden where students can grow and harvest healthy vegetables to use in the residential homes, cafes and canteens. In addition, a very successful community veg box scheme is run out of High Riggs, and students help with harvesting and preparing the vegetables and ensuring the boxes are ready for collection by the community. There are also chickens on the site and students help with collecting eggs and feeding and caring for the animals year round. High Riggs provides an opportunity for students to come out of the city centre and work on the land, experiencing the weather and the seasons. Through the seasons and the associated festivals, students develop a sense of rhythm and time and a deeper understanding of the natural world around them.