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.

Parent and Carers FAQ

Find out the answers to frequently asked questions by parents, including questions about admissions, studying and the school day.

Attending The Sullivan Centre FAQ

A medical pupil referral unit is an educational setting designed for children who are unable to attend their mainstream school due to their health and medical needs.  The provision is short term, for various reasons all linked to medical and mental health needs.

If your child is struggling to attend mainstream school or is not making progress in their current educational setting, another provision may be worth considering. You can discuss your concerns with your child’s school or medical professionals, and they may be able to provide guidance and support.

A variety of services, such as individualized learning plans, behavioural and emotional support, therapeutic interventions, and vocational training. The specific services offered will depend on the program and your child’s individual needs.

Support your child’s learning by staying involved and informed about the program and their progress. Attend parent/carer-teacher conferences and stay in communication with the staff. Encourage your child to engage with the school and take advantage of any opportunities provided. Provide a supportive and positive learning environment at home.

The education provided at a PRU is tailored to meet the individual needs of each child. The curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing children to learn at their own pace and focus on their specific interests and abilities. The staff at The Sullivan Centre work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure that children receive the support they need to succeed academically and personally.

Placements at The Sullivan Centre FAQ

The student-to-teacher ratio and class size can impact your child’s learning experience and the level of individual attention they receive. At The Sullivan Centre staff are organised and recruited dependent on each child’s needs and also what is stated in an Education Health and Care Plan.

Extracurricular activities can provide your child with opportunities to explore new interests, develop social skills, and build confidence. The Sullivan Centre offers daily lunch time clubs and opportunities to experience new activities on a Friday afternoon during Enrichment. There are rarely after school clubs as the majority of the students travel by taxi after school.

The Sullivan Centre staff are highly trained and have a SENCO within the staff team. The majority of the students here are placed on an ADPR (Access/Plan/Do/Review) to ensure that each child does not have an undiagnosed SEND need. We work closely with professionals and organise assessments as and when needed.

Effective communication between the school and parents/carers is vital and The Sullivan staff will communicate with you as often as you require. This can be via email, a notebook or a phone call.

The family, The Sullivan Centre staff, all professionals involved with the child and the child’s dual registered school will attend the meeting, this can be in person or virtual.

Attendance, support, progress, professionals and stage of intervention will be discussed. The next review will be booked at this meeting and transition may be discussed.

The Sullivan Centre is a short term medical intervention, after 12 weeks it is expected that a child will be transitioning back to their dual registered school or transition will be beginning to be planned. If a longer placement is needed, medical evidence will need to be obtained to ensure this this intervention is extended.

If your child’s EHCP is due to their medical or mental health needs it may be appropriate for your child to attend The Sullivan Centre in our long stay classroom. This will be organised through a consultation from the SEND team.

We don’t encourage viewings unless we have agreed that we can meet your child’s needs or a placement would be suitable. For further queries please call the school to arrange to talk to a member of The Sullivan staff team.

All children are expected to attend education 100% of the week, if however, this is detrimental to their health/recovery, a medical letter may be obtained to ensure that a more blended approach is put in place for your child.

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“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.”

Ofsted

“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.”

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“Governors provide excellent support and challenge to senior leaders “

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“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.“

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“Teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding. “

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“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.”

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“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.”

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“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.“

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“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. “

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“Staff are successful in developing pupils’ independence.”

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“Pupils receive high-quality careers advice.“

Ofsted

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

Ofsted