Durham Sixth Form Centre

We are a large post 16 provider based in the heart of Durham City. We offer a wide range of academic and vocational courses to approximately 1,800 students from across County Durham.

Through the delivery of high quality teaching, we aim to ensure that students meet their potential and progress either onto higher education or employment. 

We pride ourselves on the wider opportunities offered to students and the emphasis placed on information, advice and guidance. Progression routes followed by students range from medicine and law degrees to accountancy and engineering apprenticeships.

We are committed to inclusive practice and the removal of barriers to learning. Where a young person meets the entry requirements for courses and Durham Sixth Form Centre, we will not refuse access to opportunities based on whether or not a young person has special educational needs.

When is it on?

Time of day
Morning
Afternoon
Session information
Monday to Friday 8.45am - 4.00pm

Who to contact

Contact name
Sidra Bruce
Contact position
Head of Recruitment
Telephone
0191 383 0708
Website
Durham Sixth Form Centre

Where to go

Address
Providence Row
The Sands
Durham
County Durham
Postcode
DH1 1SG

Other details

Referral required?
No
Age range
16 - 19 years

Local Offer

Local Offer description

At Durham Sixth Form Centre, we have high expectations of all of our students and aim to ensure that we provide them with a high quality education and effective support so that they are able to maximise their fullest potential both academically and personally. We believe in creating an inclusive learning community that recognises achievements and celebrates the successes of all young people and as an integral part of our inclusion agenda we endeavour to actively cater to the needs of our SEN students.

Durham Sixth Form Centre is committed to providing high quality teaching and learning, as well as excellent support, care and guidance for all students, whilst recognising that every student is an individual who may have a variety of educational and personal needs. We aim to support every student in an inclusive learning environment which provides them the opportunity to achieve their potential by identifying need, providing appropriate support, and removing barriers to learning if necessary. We aim to encourage all students to become confident, resilient individuals who can make a successful transition into adulthood and progress to positive and meaningful destinations, including employment, further or higher education or training.

Admissions Policy

We aim to ensure equal opportunities by offering places to all applicants, provided that they meet the minimum entry requirements and as long as we are certain that we can meet individual needs. Please see our Admissions Policy on our website for more details..

 

Contact name
Ms Amanda Eggett
Contact telephone
0191 383 0708
Contact email
amanda.eggett@durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk
Links
SEN Policy

How do you identify Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?

How does the setting/school/college know if children/young people need extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?

All applicants have a number of opportunities to declare if they have a learning need, disability, are considered vulnerable or have a medical condition which may affect their learning even before enrolment at Durham Sixth Form Centre. These opportunities include:

  • on the initial application form;
  • during the one-to-one transition interview, which parents/carers are also invited to attend;
  • at Open Evenings, where specialist staff, including the SENCo, are available; at enrolment, which again also includes a one-to-one interview.

Information in relation to SEN is also collected during transition meetings, which take place between our Pastoral Team and Heads of Year/Pastoral Teams in many of our partner schools, prior to enrolment. This supports information gleaned from Common Transfer Files (CTF), which are sent from partner schools when students enrol at Durham Sixth Form Centre.

Collection of this information allows us to liaise with students, their feeder school and parents/carers to ensure the study programme is appropriate and that any additional support is carefully planned. This may also involve partnership work with external agencies. This is one of the reasons why we expect students and their parents/carers to be open and honest with us about a student’s additional needs at the earliest opportunity. It is important that the student or parent/carer provides evidence of need in relation to a formal diagnosis.

We also understand that some learner needs may only become apparent after a student has embarked upon a study programme with us. If this is the case, our subject teams will work with specialist staff to identify and address emergent needs in situations where it is suspected that a student is having difficulty because they may have a special educational need, disability or be considered vulnerable.

How will you support my child with their special educational needs and disability?

How will early years setting/school/college staff support my child/young person?

Where high-quality teaching, which is differentiated and personalised, does not meet the individual needs of the young person, we will endeavour to put additional provision in place as appropriate.

This may include:

  • assessment of the student’s needs by bringing together all relevant information from the school, from the student, from those working with the student;
  • discussing all the relevant information gathered with the young person and their parent/carer(s);
  • planning for an implementation of support or intervention that is designed to meet the individual student’s needs and aspirations;
  • access to the Student Support Team (e.g. SENCo, Student Support Mentor, TA or the Health & Wellbeing Officer);
  • offering one-to-one support (e.g. a key worker);
  • accessing to in house counselling and mentoring services;
  • testing for, and implementation of, any approved access arrangements for examinations (e.g. extra time, reader or scribe);
  • assistive technology e.g. the use of a laptop in class and for examinations;
  • access to a quiet area.

How will you make sure my child's education meet their needs?

How will the curriculum be matched to my child's young person's needs?

At Durham Sixth Form Centre, we offer a broad curriculum with a number of different study programmes which we believe should meet the needs and ambitions of all of our students. However, students must opt for three Level 3 courses and Core in order to be classified as a full time student. We are able to offer students flexible, bespoke study programmes within which they can combine A-level, BTEC and other Level 3 courses, enabling them to follow an individualised programme which is most suited to their needs, ability and future outcomes.

At Durham Sixth Form Centre, we are also committed to providing high-quality, inspirational teaching and learning for all students; this is quality first teaching that each student will receive from their subject teacher and may include some very minor adaptations to match the specific needs of individual students.

How will we know my child is progressing?

How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support my child's/young person's learning?

We provide regular updates through termly progress indicator letters and two subject consultation evenings in both Year 12 and Year 13.

Parents and carers can contact a young person’s Pastoral Support Manager by email or telephone to discuss any issues or concerns at any time.

How will you support my child's overall wellbeing?

What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall wellbeing?

We pride ourselves on the support which we offer students and are equally as interested in their personal welfare as their academic welfare. Our Pastoral Support Managers have a similar role to a Head of Year and they will be available to help and support students throughout their time at DSFC.

Our Health and Well-being Officer's main role is to offer a confidential advice and information service to students, on any health and well-being issue. There are various forms of confidential counselling available at Durham Sixth Form Centre.

 

What specialist services and expertise is available at or accessed by the staff?

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the setting/school/college?

Where the student’s needs are not being met by the strong, evidence-based support provided by Durham Sixth Form Centre, specialist help will be sought from, for example, educational psychologists, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), specialist teachers and support services, supported employment services and therapists.

If, despite Durham Sixth Form Centre having taken relevant and purposeful action to identify, assess and meet the needs of a student, the student is still not making the expected progress, we or the young person will consider requesting an EHCP needs assessment. At all points of this process both the student and parents will be kept informed.

How are staff trained regarding SEND?

What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEND have had or are having?

Ms Amanda Eggett is the SENCO and holds the national accreditation for SEND co-ordinators.

We provide necessary and continued professional development for all staff, ranging from new staff induction through to specialist training to ensure that teachers meet the needs of students with SEN.

What activities outside the classroom will there be?

How will my child/young person be included in activities outside this classroom including school trips?

Trips and extra-curricular activities are open to all students subject to risk assessments and funding.

How will you support my child's needs?

How accessible is the setting/school/college environment?

The oldest and main part of Durham Sixth Form Centre’ buildings is over one hundred years old and access to the first floor is via two original staircases. Although it is not possible to make adaptations so that all of Durham Sixth Form Centre is fully accessible, reasonable adjustments have been made to the building to accommodate students with accessibility needs. Further details of our Accessibility Policy are available on the school’s website. Wherever possible, Durham Sixth Form Centre is committed to ensuring that all subjects and curriculum routes are accessible to all students and will make reasonable adjustments to the curriculum plan and individual study programmes to accommodate students with sensory or physical needs.

What is available to help my child with their education?

How are the setting's/school's/college's resources allocated and matched to children's/young people's special educational needs?

The Headteacher and governors will establish a clear picture of the funds available and consider their strategic approach to meeting SEN in the context of the total resources available from the national funding formula and top up funding. Where high needs funding is required, we will work with the relevant Local Authority to secure additional support that is in excess of the nationally prescribed threshold.

We understand that in reference to personal budgets, where a direct payment is proposed for special educational provision, the Local Authority must secure the agreement of Durham Sixth Form Centre, if any of the provision is to be delivered on that institution's premises or in the case of contributions from the top up funding.

What support can I expect for my child?

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?

Where a student is identified as having a special educational need, we will assess the student’s needs, plan for it, provide intervention and review the impact on the student’s progress towards their outcomes, as outlined below:

  • we will assess a young person's special educational needs at interview, upon enrolment, and as they arise throughout the year, if applicable;
  • we will plan the provision to meet the outcomes in their Student Support Plans and Educational Healthcare Plans, including the commitment of associated funding, where appropriate;
  • we will put the provision in place to supporting meeting those outcomes;
  • we will review the support and progress at Subject Consultation Evenings, following the publication of Progress Indicator Levels, mock examination results, and external examinations, as well as at annual review meetings.

At review meetings, we will:

  • discuss with the student and parents/carers the impact and success of the intervention and support;
  • consider the student’s progress and any changes to their ambitions and aspirations;
  • plan for any changes to the type and level of support as assessed from the evidence, as the need arises.

How will I be involved in my child's education?

How are parents involved in the setting/school/college? How can I be involved?

We engage in regular communication with the parents and carers of students with SEN. Each student identified as having a Student Support Plan has a key worker who routinely communicates with parents/carers, as well as the SENCo. Review meetings, to discuss progress with support plans, are held regularly, in line with guidance. Parents/carers are also encouraged to attend Subject Consultation Evenings (SCEs) at key times throughout the academic year to discuss student progress with teaching staff.

My child is going to be starting or leaving soon, how will you help them?

How will the setting/school/college prepare and support my child/young person to join the setting/school/college or the next stage of education and life?

At Durham Sixth Form Centre we recognise that, whilst it can be very exciting to embark on a new learning journey in a new environment, for some students the transition can be quite a challenge. In order to support students to make a positive transition to Durham Sixth Form Centre, we offer a range of support, where appropriate. For example:

  • we provide opportunities for students and their parents/carers to talk with the Student Support Team at Open Evenings;
  • we invite all students to attend a one-to-one transition interview where students with special educational needs can inform us of, and discuss, their individual needs;
  • we make provision for one of our Student Support Team to attend one-to-one transition interviews, if we are aware of student needs in advance;
  • we provide additional support for SEN/vulnerable students at our annual Open Day;
  • we would organise separate support meetings with a member of the Student Support Team to discuss any individual needs if required;
  • we can attend, if appropriate, review meetings from Year 11 onwards for students with an EHCP who are seriously considering Durham Sixth Form Centre as their next step and who are on track to achieve grades which meet our entry criteria;
  • we provide opportunities which enable students with special educational needs, disabilities or those considered vulnerable to familiarise themselves with the environment and gain some experience of daily life here through smaller transition events led by the Student Support Team; we can organise separate support meetings with a member of the Student Support Team to discuss any individual needs, if required.

We also recognise that some students with special educational needs, disabilities or those considered vulnerable may need additional support with transition to higher education, apprenticeships or employment. They may also need support in securing relevant experience to make such transitions. We will make this explicit in their planning and support. All SEN students have a Progress Tutor as well as a key worker, who supports each student with their progression plans.

Students with Educational Healthcare Plans

We recognise that it is important to carefully plan transition for students who have complex needs. We work in partnership with the Improving Progression of Young People Team and partner schools to ensure that we are able to fully meet the needs of students with an Educational Healthcare Plan (EHCP). In addition to our transition support outlined above, we expect that a prospective student with an EHCP would:

  • attend transition events i.e. Open Evening in April Year 10 and/or October Year 11;
  • make a formal application to Durham Sixth Form Centre and meet relevant entry requirements;
  • meet with our SENCo to discuss possible options and the support required;
  • invite our SENCo to attend the Year 11 EHCP review meeting, to discuss the outcomes and support required.

We are committed to attending these meetings to ensure that the support and staffing are in place to fully implement the EHCP and ensure that students can make a successful transition to Durham Sixth Form Centre.

Disclaimer

Durham County Council's Families Information Service does not promote nor endorse the services advertised on this website. Anyone seeking to use/access such services does so at their own risk and may make all appropriate enquiries about fitness for purpose and suitability to meet their needs.
  • Durham Sixth Form Centre

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Address: Providence Row  The Sands  Durham  County Durham

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