6th Form at Dawn House School:

6th Form is split into three class groups with pupils streamed based on their academic confidence levels and therapeutic needs – helping to ensure all pupils are provided with an appropriate peer group. Subjects are delivered on a 2-year rolling programme through 6th Form to allow for this grouping approach to be successful.

Young people can access the 6th Form for one, two or, in exceptional circumstances three years, as appropriate. The 6th Form department is open to existing Dawn House School students as well as other young people who wish to transfer at 16 from other providers.

The Learning Environment:

Dawn House School 6th Form is housed in a dedicated building, separate from the main school, providing a focused environment for our older students. It includes three versatile classrooms designed for multi-use learning, allowing for flexibility in class arrangements and activities. 6th Form students also have access to subject-specific rooms within the main school based on their timetable and chosen options, ensuring they benefit from all necessary resources and spaces.

In 6th Form students start and end their day in their form room, where they register and connect with their form tutor, offering a consistent point of contact and support. Ensuring they have a familiar room and teacher to return to each day. This approach promotes a sense of belonging alongside specialised learning opportunities.

The Curriculum:

All students choose a core area of study which compliments their pathway to adulthood and has due regard to the aspirations, hopes and wishes of the young person as agreed at their annual reviews and other meetings.  The 6th form curriculum offer can be downloaded at the foot of this page.  The suite of accreditations is generally within the Entry Level to GCSE range. The 6th form does not offer Level 3 or A level study.

Our 6th Form has a partnership with the nearby Vision West Nottinghamshire College and in the past Newark College and Portland College. These partnerships allow us to extend the curriculum offer through another provider, should it be appropriate for a student – in courses such as Small Animal Care, Engineering, Construction and IT. We also maintain our links with local businesses to provide work experience for our students as appropriate.

All 6th Form students also select their own Vocational Options which run over 4 sessions a week. Dawn House School offer a wide variety of Aim Awards, Entry Level and ASDAN qualifications that range from Entry Level 1 to Level 1 Certificates. You can find out more about our Vocational Options by clicking on the link below.

Life Skills and Work Experience:

Within 6th Form we prioritise Life Skills to prepare students for their future endeavors. Each week, we provide opportunities for pupils to engage with the community, fostering their independence and enhancing their understanding of the world around them. Through these experiences, students learn to navigate real-life situations, build confidence, and develop essential social skills that will serve them well beyond their school years.

To further promote these skills, we offer internal work experience roles that allow students to apply for positions such as working with the site team, serving as teaching assistants in the primary department, or taking on the role of school photographer. These roles not only help students gain valuable work experience but also encourage responsibility and teamwork. Additionally, our community café, Dawn’s Diner, operates every Wednesday afternoon at Blidworth Church Hall, run entirely by 6th Form students. This initiative provides an excellent platform for developing employability skills, including customer service, teamwork, and financial literacy, while also serving as a meaningful way to connect with the community. You can find out more about our Dawn’s Diner by clicking on the link below.