Community work

Sixth Form visit to meet elderly neighbours

2 Sixth Form pupils make a weekly visit to talk to residents in Ambleside and Morris Court.

To give pupils opportunities to talk with elderly people and to give the residents of Ambleside opportunities to meet enthusiastic young local students. Dean Close has had a long-standing relationship with Ambleside and Morris Court; Sixth Formers have visited for probably 20 years and more. Time is given to these pupils to make these visits and enthusiasm is a necessary characteristic. Outcomes are assessed by the verbal feedback from both residents and the Residential Home staff.

This is a weekly activity during term-time all year round.

Sixth Form visit to meet elderly neighbours.

Volunteering at Sue Ryder Charity Shops

Dean Close Sixth Formers helped at the various Sue Ryder shops around Cheltenham. The aim of this partnership is to support the great work of the Sue Ryder shops and hospices as well as to enable our young people to give back to their local community.

The member of staff in charge of the Community Action Programme at Dean Close approached the various shops with the offer for some of our students to help for a day, which was gratefully received.

The impact is assessed by written feedback. For example, this was sent back by the shop manager the same day: 'Just to thank you for sending your four delightful students to my shop today. They were a great help in processing and pricing items for the shop floor. I hope they also enjoyed gaining an insight into a working day in a charity retail shop!'

 25 Sixth Form pupils helped out in five different shops; one completely redesigned the display window! This happens twice a year on the days set aside for Community involvement.