New two-year GCSE programme for students with special educational needs

We are delighted to announce that Davies Laing and Dick College is now offering a bespoke GCSE programme for students with learning difficulties. This programme was initially designed in collaboration with Fairley House School as both schools share common goals.

DLD College is the oldest independent college in London. For eighty years it has offered personalised and individual support, gaining a reputation for high quality education and care. For that reason, DLD can help students with special educational needs make the transition from a specialist school to mainstream education. We are a friendly college with first class staff and facilities: tutors are not only experienced, trained and well qualified; they also are well aware of the students' difficulties and teach using multi-sensory teaching techniques to engage all students. DLD offers small group tuition (average group size 7) delivered in a friendly and engaging yet academically challenging fashion. Students are closely monitored by their tutors and receive the necessary guidance and encouragement.

Our ethos is that all students can be successful and we have high expectations of them. We believe that a personalised approach is the best way of helping them achieve and gain confidence thus becoming independent learners. We wish to offer a seamless path to youngsters, giving them a sense of security while gradually integrating them into mainstream education, with an outcome of successful GCSEs, A-levels and progression into Higher Education.

The course has limited places and early application is strongly advised.

Curriculum:

Students take up to 7 GCSEs from a general curriculum. Students will be prepared for GCSEs on a normal two-year programme. All students are offered:

English, English Literature, Mathematics, Dual Science, Humanities and either Art or Music. In addition students study towards the CLAIT qualification (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) and have weekly PSHE lessons as well as P.E. lessons (at Westway Sport Centre) and Personal Tutor time.

Students are encouraged to join in any of the extra-curricular activities available to all students.

Specialist SEN provision

The specialist SEN provision comprises of a daily SEN group period in the morning and one individual session during the week (usually after 3.20pm). In addition, students have a homework session at the end of the day (3.20pm to 4pm) from Monday to Thursday. If required in their SEN statement, students have also access to a Speech and Language therapist or Occupational therapist from Fairley House School once a week after 3.20pm.

Our SENCO is a fully trained dyslexia assessor and has been working with young people for over ten years. She has experience of students with Asperger's, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and other non-specified learning difficulties.

Our staff regularly attend training to update their knowledge on SEN issues such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and auditory processing difficulties. They are using specific classroom strategies, such as visualisation techniques to help improve memory skills and other teaching strategies for students with SEN.

Academic & Pastoral Care

A Form Teacher is allocated to the group and each student additionally has a Personal Tutor, who will monitor his/her progress. Reporting to parents is a continuous process, and parents are encouraged to discuss their child's progress frequently. Students are integrated into the wider life of the College in a sensitive way, enabling them to retain their peer group identity, but recognizing that they will grow and develop in relation to the wider educational and social environment. In the second year, students join our mainstream groups for Maths, Art, Music, PSHE and as in the first year Sport.

Admission

Prospective candidates are asked to send all documentation (school reports, educational Psychologist report or Statement) in advance for close consideration prior to making an appointment for a visit to the college. Students must attend an interview with the Vice Principal and also meet with the SENCO. We accept students with statements provided our current provisions meet with their specific needs.

Fees

The fees for September 2011 to June 2012 are set at £21,000 pa, payable either in two half-yearly parts or in eight monthly instalments (by arrangement). This fee covers the additional cost of specialist therapists.

For further information, please contact Marie-Do Reza, Vice Principal (college switchboard 0207 935 8411) or complete an Application Enquiry Form on line.