St Dominic's Sixth Form College Prospectus for 2019 Admission
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St Dominic’s Sixth Form College Prospectus For 2019 Admission Applying to St Dominic’s St Dominic’s Before making an application for post-16 education, young St Dominic’s is a Roman Catholic people and their parents/carers will wish to make full use of the information available, including: Sixth Form College committed to Attending the College’s Open Day on the personal and spiritual growth of Saturday 6th October 2018 Reading the Ofsted report: all its members based on Christian www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports values, academic excellence and Researching the Department for Education Performance Tables: high quality pastoral care. www.education.gov.uk/performancetables/16to18_10.shtml If you wish to apply for a place at St Dominic’s to start in 2019 Welcome please complete the application process outlined at www.stdoms.ac.uk/admissions by 31st December 2018. I am very proud and privileged to be the Principal of St. Dominic’s Sixth Form College. It is an institution committed Application materials and full instructions on how to complete to academic success within a supportive, nurturing them are included with this prospectus and available on the environment. We are a Catholic community that embraces College website. and welcomes other faiths and an important aspect of our work is to ensure all our students have the opportunity to Contents develop and grow spiritually. The College has provided post-16 education in Harrow since 2 Applying to St Dominic’s 1979 and over that period has developed specialist teaching 3 Welcome to St Dominic’s and support that is recognised for its excellence in the local 4 Ethos area and beyond. Our secluded site and attractive grounds 5 Pastoral Support allow students to concentrate on their studies and make the Academic achievement very best use of the superb academic facilities. St. Dominic’s 6 Library & Learning Centre is an excellent all round preparation for university or working Enrichment Opportunities 8 life and our student body are a most focused and dedicated 9 Trips group of individuals. 10 Duke of Edinburgh 11 Fair Trade Students that come to us flourish. They leave us as well 12 Lourdes rounded academic and purposeful individuals ready to Guest Speakers start the next phase of their journey. As well as achieving 14 St Dominic’s Statistics the highest possible grades in examinations, we expect our 16 Careers Education students to develop positive spiritual and moral values in 17 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) order to make a full contribution to society in adulthood. 18 Learner Voice at St Dominic’s 20 Chaplaincy Andrew Parkin 22 Ancient & Modern Studies Principal 24 Business & Economics 26 English & Modern Foreign Languages 28 Humanities 30 Mathematics 32 Science 34 Visual & Performing Arts 36 Examination Results 2018 Welcome 37 Celebrating Success 38 Leavers’ survey 39 Entrance requirements 2 3 Pastoral Support Students join a tutor group on arriving at the College which meets once a week. In addition, tutors set aside one hour per week for 1:1 meetings with their students. This allows for effective communication, administration and support. The tutor is the Ethos first point of contact for students and parents/carers. In addition, there are Senior Tutors who, together with support staff, form the pastoral team under the direction of the Assistant Principal. The Careers Education and Guidance programme is supplemented by careers talks from external speakers, as well as qualified staff based in the Library & Learning Centre. Second year students receive effective guidance that ensures an excellent record of progression to higher education. Student attendance is high, supported by electronic self- registration in each lesson. Low attendance or punctuality is quickly monitored and addressed. Each week the tutor checks the student’s attendance record since full attendance at lessons is a pre-requisite for academic success. Subject achievement and effort grades are produced each half term. This information is also available online to students and parents. Ethos Academic achievement Students come to St Dominic’s Sixth Form College from more than 100 schools across North West London and the Home Counties and many St Dominic’s Sixth Form College has specialised in courses for different faith backgrounds. This diverse community of young people, 16-18 year olds for over 35 years. This specialisation contributes working together to achieve high academic standards, ensures that St to high standards of teaching and learning. Teaching staff have Dominic’s has the very best environment in which to mature and study. developed exciting material to engage and stretch students in preparation for examinations. Course outlines and supporting St Dominic’s fosters interaction between young people. The materials are made available through the College’s virtual atmosphere is one of focused study with a healthy social dimension. learning environment, iLearn. In this way, we encourage students We maintain this environment by the use of clear guidelines for to work independently where possible as an excellent preparation conduct including a zero tolerance policy towards violence and drugs. for the style of learning at university. At St Dominic’s we expect young people to develop a deeper Students enrolling on courses will need to satisfy the individual understanding of religious faith. We foster this through the College’s subject requirements as well as the overall entry criteria for the programme of Religious Education as well as the activities organised College. At St Dominic’s we take great care during enrolment and and encouraged outside the curriculum. induction to ensure that students are on appropriate programmes given their prior performance, in order to ensure the greatest The Chapel and chaplaincy team are at the heart of the College. The chance of success. Target grades are set and progress monitored Chapel provides a place of quiet reflection and prayer throughout the by both subject teachers and tutors. day. There is daily morning prayer and the celebration of Mass on Friday. Students have four 65 minute lessons each week per subject at Voluntary work lends itself to development of the individual. A Level. In addition, there are 30 minute workshops allowing for Many students arrange voluntary work outside the College which individual support and extension activities. Members of staff at St is recognised through our Community Volunteer programme. Each Dominic’s are renowned for the support given to students. year the Mayor of Harrow visits the College to present certificates to The bank of resources built up over time by teachers specialising students who have provided outstanding voluntary service to the local in the teaching of A Levels ensures that students have the very community. best support available. Where appropriate, students are provided We have a comprehensive enrichment programme, including sport, with core textbooks by subject teachers. Students are provided extra curricular activities and the Extended Project Qualification. A with core textbooks by subject teachers. Nominal charges apply selection of recent activities can be viewed on the College website. for consumable materials such as sketchbooks in Art and Design. 4 5 Library& Learning Centre The Library and Learning Centre (LLC) was extended and completely refurbished during the summer of 2015 and provides students with a modern, pleasant, and well-resourced environment enabling them to study independently. The LLC has been equipped with a range of new study spaces and I.T. facilities including pcs, tablets and laptops and students can use the computers in the LLC by pre-booking their session or borrow equipment to use either in the Library or the College grounds. We also have charging points for those who choose to bring their own devices and ample desk space is available on the ground floor and both mezzanines. There is a comprehensive collection of books, online resources, e-books, journals, and DVDs, covering both academic subject areas and extra-curricular interests to stretch and enhance students’ learning experience. The LLC is open throughout the day and is managed by qualified and trained staff. Students are supported with their research and information skills through a comprehensive induction programme, workshops in various on-line resources and subject-related demonstrations helping them to become confident and independent learners. The LLC is a well-used and valued resource, offering students the opportunity to become involved in a consultation forum, assist in the service delivery and attend visits to world-renowned academic libraries. The LLC is dedicated to the memory of Eileen Carey, who was the Registrar of St. Dominic’s for over 25 years and a passionate believer in post 16 education. 6 7 EnrichmentOpportunities Trips at We aim to enable all students to attend educational visits during their time St Dominic’s here, and there are lots to choose from. We take our students to Washington, The College continues to offer a programme Paris, Brussels, Warsaw, Rome, Athens... of enrichment activities to our first year and that’s just the subject specific students because we believe it makes our ones! Some of the best enrichment students well rounded. These activities opportunities come from trips that help to make them feel part of the College are organised for non-subject specific community and not just here to sit exams. groups such as Uganda, climbing We currently offer 46 opportunities to Kilimanjaro and taking pilgrims to broaden our students’ range of interests Lourdes. The learning experience from clubs and societies that are subject through visits and trips also introduces based, to sports such as kickboxing, running life skills, complimenting what students and fitness. Included in this programme may learn within the classroom. are our college teams in Football, Netball, Trip to New York Basketball, Cricket and Rugby, as well as exciting opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and editing the College Magazine.