Transitions
Transitions
When students are planning on leaving school and progressing into further education, it can be a daunting time. Although there are many SEN providers in the London and Southeast region, Dorton College is the only vision impairment (VI) specialist further education provider in this area.
Other providers may say that they can meet vision impairment needs by, for example, having a few QTVI or mobility sessions per year. However, we surpass this with a ‘total VI approach’ to everything we do, such as ensuring that all students get weekly QTVI, Mobility and Habilitation sessions on a one-to-one basis to maximise their learning and development potential.
Student recruitment, visits and pre-entry assessments
We recommend that students come to Dorton College for an initial visit to see what we do and experience how we work with our partnership providers. We’ll give them a tour of our specialist VI hub, and they can also see the wide range of facilities that are available with our partnership providers. This is a great opportunity to meet the other students, as well as our colleagues, and ask any initial questions.
Young people who would like to be considered for a placement at the college will be invited to attend a pre-entry assessment day. They spend a day with our team at the hub and take part in various assessments, so that we can see the kind of level they’re currently working at. These aren’t tests, though – they’re just indicators of whether we’d be the right college for the young person to come to. There’s also the chance to socialise with the other students and ask them what life’s really like at Dorton College.
If a student is offered a placement with us, our staff may come to meet them at their school to see what we can do to help them transition smoothly into the college.
Once funding’s been agreed, new students can also come for taster days before they start with us, so that they can get to know other students and the members of our college team. This is something that makes the transition into further education much easier.
Learner journey
During their time at Dorton College, students take part in baseline assessments at the start of every year. This is so that we can see the levels that are being worked at and ensure that the best learning plan is designed to meet their specific needs.
All students have Annual Reviews, and these include family, staff and Local Authority representatives. This process reviews progress and EHCP needs. And each of our students has targets called ECHP Targets that are directly linked to their EHCP.
Post college transitions
As students near their final year with us, they need to consider their next steps. Our Transition Coordinator works closely with each of them towards the end of their placement to ensure that everything’s in place to enable a smooth transition out of college.
During the last year of their placement, Transition meetings (in addition to the Annual Review) take place to make sure everything’s organised. This can include living arrangements, moving into higher education, moving into voluntary or paid work, or arranging a social care package of activities and ensuring the right support needs are communicated to the relevant teams.
All of these processes help to ensure a smooth transition into and during college, mapping and reporting the student’s journey along the way to key stakeholders.
