Learning & Development

Communication and Behaviour Curriculum

Our autism specific curriculum is designed to meet the needs of learners with complex communication and behavioural difficulties. This is a highly structured and experiential learning programme which develops and reinforces adaptive behaviours, communication, social awareness and functional skills. The curriculum is based upon a total communication philosophy, with the utilisation of a wide range of tools and methods to develop learners’ understanding and help them to be understood.

We are fortunate to have the support of our Positive Behaviour Lead, for both staff and students, who manages and promotes positive behaviour and attitude throghout the college, and equips staff and students with the skills and experience to manage their own behaviours, teaching interventions students can use themselves, building trust with our staff, and reduce incidents.

Our Positive Behaviour Lead delivers training, creates Positive Behaviour Support plans, manages risks, embedding coaching on the ground. This means Care plans can be updated responsively and responsibly, through the sharing of learnings.

We are delighted that students many that arrived on 5:1 ratio of staff to student are now on a 2:1 ratio of staff to students, as a result of the Positive Behaviour support, they have received.

Curriculum

Independent Living Skills Curriculum

The Independent Living Skills curriculum is designed to develop learners’ readiness for independent or shared community living. This is achieved by focusing on the skills required to live as independently as possible and to make a successful transition out of college. For all learners, this will involve identifying long-term transitional aims to ensure that the skills they develop can be successfully transferred into their post college placement. To teach Independent Living Skills, we have 2 dedicated ILS Rooms. 

Communication and Behaviour Curriculum

Our autism specific curriculum is designed to meet the needs of learners with complex communication and behavioural difficulties. This is a highly structured and experiential learning programme which develops and reinforces adaptive behaviours, communication, social awareness and functional skills. The curriculum is based upon a total communication philosophy, with the utilisation of a wide range of tools and methods to develop learners’ understanding and help them to be understood.

We are fortunate to have the support of our Positive Behaviour Lead, for both staff and students, who manages and promotes positive behaviour and attitude throghout the college, and equips staff and students with the skills and experience to manage their own behaviours, teaching interventions students can use themselves, building trust with our staff, and reduce incidents.

Our Positive Behaviour Lead delivers training, creates Positive Behaviour Support plans, manages risks, embedding coaching on the ground. This means Care plans can be updated responsively and responsibly, through the sharing of learnings.

We are delighted that students many that arrived on 5:1 ratio of staff to student are now on a 2:1 ratio of staff to students, as a result of the Positive Behaviour support, they have received. 

Subjects include:

  • Animal Care

  • Art & Pottery

  • Community and Leisure activities

  • Computers and ICT

  • Conservation

  • Creative Play

  • Duke of Edinburgh

  • English and Maths

  • Enterprise

  • Forest School

  • Gardening & Horticulture

  • Independent Living Skills

  • Kitchen & Bakery

  • Media

  • Music & Drama

  • Workshop

  • Work Experience

Teachers skilfully plan their curriculum to develop students’ understanding of a wide range of topics, such as the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the importance of self-care.

Ofsted Report June 2025

A huge thank you for all you do for our son. It is abundantly clear every time he returns home that he enjoys college and most importantly we can see such progress in his independence and social behaviours.

Parent

We are so fortunate our daughter now has a great placement in independent living and is flourishing thanks to her time spent at Dilston College. She got engaged on her birthday last September!

Parent

Work Experience

Students have access to a wide variety of work experience placements through the wide range of connections Cambian Dilston College has with local employers. Staff work closely with students to help them identify work related targets, reflect on their work experience placement and plan for their next step.

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British Values

Supporting students to develop appropriate, meaningful understanding of the themes of democracy, individual liberty, rule of law and mutual respect.                                                                                                     

Exploring themes such as: friendliness, courage, care, respect, aspiration, selflessness, forgiveness, kindness, equality, freedom and generosity. The British values form part of a Cambian Dilston college’s work to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of children.

Work in College that connects to these values can help all students have a sense of belonging in Britain and develop understanding that while they can make choices in their lives they also have a sense of responsibility for others. This work can help students develop an understanding that the law is there to protect all and we all have to abide by the law. It will include a steady focus on helping students make connections to others, explore and understand diversity, similarities and difference, and promote and champion equality for all. It is integral to developing the culture and ethos of Cambian Dilston college. Working on values and understanding citizenship continues to form part of meaningful, engaging and appropriate education.

Tutors will encourage students to engage with these values and develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in, and contribute positively to, life in modern Britain. This is all part of equipping students to be thoughtful, caring and active citizens in college and in wider society.

Enquire about Dilston College

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