Sixth Form

We aim to provide a holistic, waking day curriculum, enabling residential Sixth Form students with special needs to continue to make progress with bridging courses, transition and independence.

Provision

St Dominic’s provides holistic educational opportunities within a therapeutic, weekly residential community:

  • Placements may run from a single year to three years depending on the needs of the student. 
  • Some students may attend for one year only as a bridge between special school and mainstream education
  • Highly specialised individual programmes to enable the students to develop the skills needed to prepare for adult life, further education and the world of work.

 Learning Opportunities  (See also Exam Results - Sixth Form Attainment)

            Students will be able to:

  • Re-take GCSEs
  • Complete Laser Award qualifications 
  • Prepare for independent living and the world of work
  • Further develop functional Numeracy, Literacy and ICT skills
  • Develop life and social skills
  • Take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and Young Enterprise
  • Have continued access to Speech and Language, and Occupational Therapy
  • Access chosen courses at local partnership mainstream college

 Independent living 

  • Waking day curriculum allows new skills to be learned and consolidated within a safe environment
  •  Working with the individual towards independence in all key areas including self care and self organisation
  • Shopping, cooking, and budgeting. Students buy and cook the food once a week to develop essential skills
  • Travelling independently using public transport.

 Social Integration

  •  Waking day curriculum and boarding with a holistic approach to social interaction
  • Accessing courses at a mainstream college
  • Arranging and accessing social activities within the peer group and wider community

 Activities

Students are actively encouraged to develop their individual interests and broaden their range of leisure interests including:

  • Swimming
  • Art and craft
  • Drama
  • Football
  • Cookery
  • Archery
  • Walking
  • Games on the common
  • Scouts
  • Air Cadets
  • Gardening

The Sixth Form also have the opportunity to access external specialist events such as drama workshops, ski-ing and a trip to Lourdes

 Support

Support is targeted to meet the needs of each individual to enable students to achieve their potential in all areas of life.

  • Includes teachers, therapists, care staff, trained assistants, college staff
  • Pastoral support