WHEN THIS ROMAN Catholic sixth-form college in Harrow held a “St Doms' Got Talent” competition last year, three heats had to be scheduled to accommodate the 24 acts in contention. The student-run event was won by a One Direction tribute band. The 16- to 18-year-olds at this small institution, which was founded in 1979, are academic stars as well as pop stars. In 2013, 70% of them achieved A*, A or B grades in their A-levels, the second-best set of results in the country for a sixth-form college. It takes real commitment on the part of both pupils and the 110 members of staff to produce such sparkling results. Willingness to aid good causes was shown when 60 students and teachers slept rough to raise funds for the Cardinal Hume Centre. They raised £20,200 to support homeless young people. Teachers feel that colleagues go out of their way to help each other (84% positive, ranking fifth on the small list) and work is an important aspect of their lives (86%). www.stdoms.ac.uk
