Curriculum
Dorton College
A Bespoke Person-Centred Curriculum
Each student has their own individualised bespoke learning plan that’s based on their assessed needs. Most have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) and will have a full pre-entry assessment before they come to the college to make sure we’re able to fully meet their unique needs.
Our curriculum includes:
Access to our vision impairment-adapted hub, which is close to public transport links, and local shops and businesses.
One-to-one Futures and Employability sessions that tailor the future ambitions, aspirations and skills of the individual student and link them with education providers and local businesses.
One-to-one specialist vision impairment LSA support at our partnership colleges and at our hub.
Access to a range of vision impairment specialist Careers Independent Advice and Guidance (CIAG) sessions.
Opportunities to access Supported Internships and Apprenticeships or T Levels, with specialist vision impairment support.
Weekly one-to-one Qualified Teacher of Visually Impaired (QTVI) sessions, to ensure that student progress against their EHCP and overall academic outcomes is continuously being made.
Habilitation and Mobility sessions, including customised independent living skills and travel training.
Other specialist services and therapies such as Occupational Therapy, SaLT, Physiotherapy and Counselling, based on individual needs.
Access and support for the latest assistive technologies (including most licences) for VI students, to enable access to education.
Specialist equipment (as assessed and funded) alongside our well-equipped vision impairment specialist hub.
Weekly one-to-one tutorial sessions offering time and space to address any areas for development or concern.
Specialist braille tutoring.
‘Jigsaw’ skills for the independent living extended curriculum, covering personal, social and health education and exploring current topics from a vision impairment perspective.
Accredited Learning
Our students study a range of qualifications from Entry Level 1 up to Level 3, A Levels, and a range of professional vocational qualifications. There is a vast range of accredited learning and qualifications to choose from at both our partnership colleges and the vision impairment specialist hub, facilitated by our Accreditation Coordinator.
Pathways
Students follow one of two adaptable pathway streams at Dorton College.
Horizons Pathway: Covers qualifications for students working towards Entry Level 1 qualifications, up to passing Entry Level 3 qualifications.
Ambitions Pathway: Covers students working above Entry Level 3 and towards Level 1 qualification and above. This pathway goes up to Level 3 and A Levels and will enable students who wish to progress to university and beyond to gain UCAS points.
Tutoring
Students have weekly tutoring sessions where they meet with their personal tutor on a one-to-one basis, and can use the time as they need to. We also offer wider pastoral support on an individual, flexible basis as and when our students need it, so that they always feel supported. Students can also access many other RSBC services outside Dorton College, such as the RSBC Families First service, sporting activities and social activities, all of which can contribute to their overall health and wellbeing.
Transitions
Dorton College has a strong focus on student transition in, during and out of college, to ensure smooth progress throughout. This ranges from feeder school visits to the pre-entry assessment process, starting at the college, and progression of learning each year, eventually moving towards graduating and life post-college. Our Transitions Coordinator ensures that the process is individualised and student-centred. They involve the appropriate agencies to support this, ensuring that students achieve their aspirations and reach their desired individual outcomes.
Health and Wellbeing
Dorton College recognises how important student health and wellbeing is, and so it’s central to what we do.
Our students have access to regular health and wellbeing sessions on both a group and one-to-one basis. These are designed around their previous learning, their desired outcomes and level of need, and every session is taught from a vision impairment perspective. Often, we tailor the sessions so that they relate to national awareness days, from mental health awareness events to anti bullying week. We also create bespoke sessions if we believe that specific issues have arisen that we should address. In recent years, these have included Covid-19 pandemic and specific E-safety phishing scams.
These sessions are invaluable for our students. Open and honest discussion of a vast range of topics is encouraged in this safe, protected environment, both individually and as a group, where they gain valuable insight into learning or experiencing these issues from a vision impairment perspective.
Dorton College also offers student counselling, having worked with a local BACP registered independent counselling service for several years. They have an in-depth understanding of the impact and experiences of vision impaired young people, as well as knowing the issues they can face.
British Values and the Prevent Duty
British Values and the Prevent Duty are covered in health and wellbeing sessions, but can also be covered on an individual basis as needed. They’re updated annually to reflect relevant legislation, and Dorton College supports students so that they can understand these concepts in a needs-appropriate way.
