Learn LIVE ACHIEVE. with dorton college. DORTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION A pioneering residential college for vision impaired year olds.

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1 Learn LIVE ACHIEVE Royal London Society for Blind People with dorton college DORTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION A pioneering residential college for vision impaired year olds. rlsb.org.uk/college

2 FOREWORD Welcome Dorton College is more than a place for Further Education Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Dorton College. I hope over the next few pages you will discover why joining us would be a valuable step in your continuing journey through education and into adulthood. Supported by the charity RLSB, the college provides a well supported learning experience with our partner mainstream colleges and and a living experience at one of our College houses in the Bromley area. Here at Dorton College, we place our students at the centre of everything we do and our skilled staff will make sure that your experience with us equips you for the life you want to live. We believe blind and partially sighted young people should be given the support to live the life they would like. That aspiration characterises everything we offer at the college. What is important to us is seeing our Our staff will be with you every step of the way as you go on to do things you never thought you could. A life without limits is our ambition for you. With best wishes Jude Thompson Principal of Dorton College It is a privilege to watch how swiftly our students a willingness to search out new experiences.

3 INTRODUCING DORTON COLLEGE WHY COME TO DORTON? Your time at Dorton College is all about helping you take control of your future At Dorton College you ll get the education and the independent living skills you need to take control of your future through our unique Learning and Living experience. Our pioneering offer for college life is founded on our 175 year history of providing education to young people living with sight loss. The students we work with tell us that whilst they want to achieve academically, they also want support in learning the skills they need to live independently. At Dorton College we offer this unique experience; studying at a mainstream college whilst living nearby in one of our College houses with other students. We call this the Learning & Living experience. The Learning and Living experience Your main course of study will be with one of our partnership colleges, which have a wide range of academic and vocational courses to choose from. They and our experienced staff will support you to achieve the best results that you can. Our ambition for you is that you work hard and do well at college. Living in Bromley, (just 20 minutes from central London) in an attractive shared house with other students, you will learn the skills you need to live independently (with support only when you need it). Dorton College also works with local businesses to provide you with work placements. Through these combined experiences Dorton College students are set up for adult life at an important time. Like college? I LOVe it! Robert, Dorton College student

4 DORTON COLLEGE YOUR LEARNING EXPERIENCE With Dorton College s unique mixture of learning you ll get a good all round education Academic & Vocational study We work in partnership with local mainstream colleges so that we are able to support the widest range of courses possible. This means that Our partner colleges offer courses across a huge range of subject areas and levels from Entry to Level 3. From Health & Social Care, Education, Business Studies, Computing, Legal Services, to A-Levels and GCSEs, We recognise that people have different learning styles and skills, so offer routes to new skills, new jobs and higher education - giving each student the chance to build a future in the modern world. Life Skills study With Dorton College you will have a programme tailored for you so that you can the make the most of your timewith us. This will include sessions on; Cooking Access technology Mobility & orientation Braille Personal Communication Getting ready for work Citizenship There s a a huge range of GREAT courses to Choose from.

5 Call us today to find out more about Dorton College Thanks to dorton s support & working hard for MY qualifications I ve got the job I really wanted. Naomi, Former Dorton College student MEET 22 YEAR OLD NAOMI, FORMER DORTON COLLEGE STUDENT Naomi came to Dorton College after mainstream primary and secondary education to study for her A-levels. I was excited about the opportunity to move away from my childhood home and gain that all important independence and freedom, whilst studying. The college gave me a social life outside of college. I was able to make friends locally; get on a train and go to different places. I had independence which helped me feel part of the sighted world. Naomi went on to University and has recently got her dream job as an Intervenor for children with multi-sensory impairments. Thanks to the support I received at Dorton and working hard for my qualifications I ve got the job I really wanted.

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7 LEARN. LIVE. ACHIEVE. WITH DORTON COLLEGE.

8 DORTON COLLEGE YOUR LIVING EXPERIENCE At Dorton College living is just as important as learning Living in a Dorton College House Our aim is that you leave Dorton College feeling that you ve grown in independence as well as acheiving your potential in your education. Our College houses offer a home from home for students looking to take You ll be living with four other students in one of the houses. We will expect you to live as independently as possible, however we recognise that moving away from home is a big deal. So you and your family can be safe in the knowledge that there will always be a staff member there if you need them. In your house you will have: Living in Bromley Bromley is the largest London borough. Located in the south east of the capital, it is just twelve miles away from the bright lights of London s West End. It has the hustle and bustle of a London borough but also quieter rural areas where you can enjoy the peace of the countryside. With plenty of pubs, restaurants, shops, cinemas and cafes, Bromley is a great place living. Your own furnished room Comfortable shared communal areas Dorton College staff member on site WiFi Access to computing equipment Fully accessible accommodation Quick access to public transport

9 It feels like you get the whole package with DORTON COLLEGE Sam, Dorton College student

10 WHAT TO DO NEXT BUILDING A BLUEPRINT FOR YOUR FUTURE We ll help you create a unique plan for where you want to go in life We know that no-one else has your particular talents, personality or hopes for the future. You are you. So at Dorton College we take the time to get to know you and then help you shape a college experience that gives you the skills to take control of your future and realise your potential. Right from the start we will work with you to build a transition plan that plots what you want to achieve in the next few years and what support you will need to get there. The plan covers education, employment, housing, health, transport and leisure activities. During your time with us we will work with you and your family to make sure you re hitting the right milestones in your plan. Safeguarding At Dorton College we have a commitment and responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all our students by: Valuing, listening to and respecting them; Recruiting staff safely; Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need it; and Involving students and their families appropriately. We have a strong commitment to exceptional safeguarding practice and are committed to reviewing our policies, practices and procedures annually. Dorton College is committed to Equality & Diversity.

11 HOW TO APPLY TO DORTON COLLEGE We think you ll love what Dorton College has to offer. If you d like to find out more then we d be delighted if you came to visit us. To set up a visit or if you d just like to let us know that you re interested and want more information then please contact Kerry Hawkins at: e: connections@rlsb.org.uk t: If we re a good match then we ll carry out an assessment and take things from there. Should you have additional learning needs or disabilities you will find that Dorton College provides all that you will need. We can t wait to hear from you!

12 LEARN TOGETHER ACHIEVE OPPORTUNITY FUTURE DISCOVER INSPIRED KNOWLEDGE FUN FRIENDSHIPS SELF-BELIEF skills INDEPENDENCE GROW ASPIRATION CONFIDENCE W: rlsb.org.uk/college T: /rlsbp Registered Charirty No: