The Sullivan Centre provides education for children and young people who cannot attend their usual school because of their medical or mental health needs.
A Venn Academy Trust School – Together we will… Venn is a pioneering academy trust, committed to building educational environments where all pupils are inspired to become lifelong learners who achieve the very highest standards possible. Collaborating with all partners, the Trust works with its unique settings to create world class learning experiences for all.

Dual Reg Qualifications

At The Sullivan Centre, the curriculum offer is designed to be both flexible and comprehensive, catering to the diverse needs of students who attend for varying lengths of time and reasons. Recognizing that each student’s situation is unique, the Centre provides a blended approach to education that accommodates their individual circumstances while ensuring they have access to a broad range of academic opportunities.

Blended Approach to Education:

Students at The Sullivan Centre may continue their studies in a way that integrates both their time at the Centre and their dual-registered school. This blended approach allows students to maintain progress in subjects they were already studying before joining The Sullivan Centre, ensuring continuity in their education. For example, a student who was working towards a GCSE in a language at their dual-registered school can continue to work on this qualification while receiving support from The Sullivan Centre.

Options for Continuing Studies:

1. Virtual Lessons: Students have the option to attend virtual lessons from their dual-registered school. This allows them to engage with their existing curriculum and teachers remotely, ensuring they stay aligned with their academic goals without the need to physically attend their dual-registered school.

2. Work Packs: For students who may not be able to participate in virtual lessons, The dual registered school provides work packs that cover the required coursework. These packs are designed to be comprehensive and self-contained, allowing students to complete assignments at their own pace while receiving support and guidance from The Sullivan Centre staff and staff from their dual registered school. The Sullivan Centre allows time in a student’s bespoke timetable to complete these studies.

3. Physical Attendance: In some cases, students may be able to attend their dual-registered school in person to complete specific courses or examinations. This arrangement ensures that students can fully participate in their existing educational programs and maintain their academic trajectory.

Or a student may have a mixture of all of these options – there are no limitations.

Commitment to Academic Excellence:

Despite the medical and mental health needs that bring students to The Sullivan Centre, we are committed to ensuring that students’ academic opportunities are not limited. The Centre’s flexible curriculum model is designed to support students’ academic abilities and aspirations, providing them with the resources and support needed to achieve their educational goals.

By offering a tailored and adaptable curriculum, The Sullivan Centre helps students manage their health and well-being while continuing to pursue their academic interests. This approach ensures that students receive a holistic education that balances their medical and mental health needs with their educational ambitions, preparing them for future success both academically and personally.

“Leaders have ensured that the curriculum includes a wide range of subjects for pupils to study.”

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“Staff provide a high level of emotional support when necessary while placing great importance on developing pupils’ independence skills.“

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“Pupils overcome anxieties and, as a result, they are able to access their learning where they can make strong and sustained progress.“

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“Pupils use their knowledge and skills to apply their learning across the curriculum.”

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“The trust uses the management structure of the school well to ensure that they are always informed and up to date with information about the school.“

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“Staff are successful in developing pupils’ independence.”

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“Leaders provide a wide range of weekly enrichment activities for pupils.“

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“The curriculum strongly supports the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, which is well embedded throughout the school.“

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“Behaviour during social times and in classrooms is outstanding.“

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“Pupils’ starting points are assessed accurately. This enables teachers to plan highly engaging, motivating and personalised learning opportunities.“

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“Extra curricular activities include horse-riding, rock climbing, swimming and cooking.“

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“Pupils are tremendously enthusiastic about learning. Where possible, they can speak at length about what they are learning and what they have already learned. “

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“Regular opportunities for pupils to work on their social and emotional skills are available. These include one-to-one sessions with specialist practitioners, enhanced life skills and practical social experiences.”

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“The head of school is highly ambitious and determined for all pupils to be the best that they can be.”

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“The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding.”

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“Senior leaders’ exemplary work to enhance pupils’ emotional well-being and personal development is highly effective”

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“Pupils are kind, caring and demonstrate mature levels of empathy to one another.“

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“The promotion and encouragement of independent learning can be seen in all classes and throughout the school.“

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“School records show that bullying incidents rarely occur. Pupils and staff agreed with this view when asked.”

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“Governors provide excellent support and challenge to senior leaders “

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“Teachers and other staff are highly skilled in ensuring that individual pupils’ needs are met in lessons.“

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“The vast majority of pupils become confident learners. Their developing ability to form extraordinarily strong relationships with staff and friendships with their peers is evident.”

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“Pupils receive high-quality careers advice.“

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“Leaders take positive and immediate action should any issues arise to ensure the continuation of the very highquality learning that pupils receive.“

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“Staff receive highquality, regular training to enable them to meet the complex emotional and mental health needs of pupils.“

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“Staff work extremely closely with external agencies and a range of medical professionals to ensure that each pupil receives the best advice and care possible.“

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“Teachers and staff are extremely ambitious for their pupils. They are determined to equip them with skills that will contribute to a happy and fulfilled life. “

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“Highly effective teaching and assessment systems and strategies are in place which consider specific pupils’ needs.“

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“Pupils display remarkable levels of empathy for others. They are highly sensitive and tremendously accepting of the needs of other pupils.”

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“The school is exceptionally calm and ordered. Pupils behave very well in lessons and are enthusiastic learners.”

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“Pupils enjoy all aspects of the curriculum and quickly go into their classes when they arrive at school.“

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“Staff ensure that pupils who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan make strong progress towards achieving their objectives.“

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“The trust is extremely supportive and provides high levels of challenge and guidance to school leaders.“

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“Leaders responsible for inclusion, pastoral care and welfare are inspirational in their dedication, knowledge and actions to support pupils’ emotional health and well-being.“

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“Staff prepare high-quality and bespoke lessons which they use effectively to stimulate pupils’ interest in learning.“

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“The school’s staff and the inclusion leader are exceptionally skilled in enabling pupils to manage their anxiety so that they can learn in a small classroom environment.”

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“Lessons in all subjects and in classes across the school are engaging and motivating.“

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“The curriculum provides pupils with a wide range of opportunities that match the needs and interests of pupils extremely well.“

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“Teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding. “

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“Lessons are calm, ordered and purposeful. This encouraging learning environment has a positive impact on the engagement of pupils.“

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“Pupils are enthusiastic learners who understand and appreciate the opportunities that the school is providing them with.“

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“In lessons, pupils quickly become absorbed in the variety of activities that staff design for them.“

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“At break and lunchtimes, pupils move quietly and sensibly around school. They are occupied during these times by playing physical games with staff or chatting with each other.”

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“Staff plan further bespoke activities for individual pupils who may need support on specific areas of socialising and other life skills.“

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“Pupils have opportunities to gain a range of qualifications and accreditations, including English and mathematics at varying levels.“

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“Work in books is very well presented and neat. Strong progress can be seen.”

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“The coordinator for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities has a high level of knowledge and understanding.“

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“Leaders provide pupils with high levels of intervention and professional support, which helps them to overcome their complex mental health and medical needs.“

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“The enormously positive relationships that exist between pupils and staff are key to the success of the pupils.”

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“Staff have very high expectations of themselves and their pupils.“

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“There is a culture of mutual respect at the school that supports pupils in developing their confidence and optimism for learning.”

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“Leaders check the quality of teaching and learning regularly.“

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“The inclusion lead and other members of staff are available throughout the day to support pupils who are finding things difficult.”

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“The school is a calm learning environment where staff encourage pupils to be the best they can be.“

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“Parents appreciate the communication and high levels of practical and emotional support the staff provide for them.“

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“Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school and the difference it has made to their children.“

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