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.

Careers

Gatsby Benchmark

The eight Gatsby Benchmarks are the framework for good career guidance developed to support schools in providing students with the best possible careers education, information, advice, and guidance which we are implementing at The Sullivan Centre.

Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers and employers.

The careers programme should be published on the school’s website in a way that enables pupils, parents, teachers and employers to access and understand it.

The programme should be regularly evaluated with feedback as part of the evaluation programme. 

By the age of 14, pupils should have accessed and used information about career paths and the labour market to inform their own decisions on study options. 

Parents should be encouraged to access and use the information about labour markets and future study options to inform their support to their children. 

A school’s career programme should actively seek to challenge stereotypical thinking and raise aspirations Schools should keep systematic records of the individual advice given to each pupil and subsequent agreed decisions.

All pupils should have access to these records to support their career development.  Schools should collect and maintain accurate data for each pupil on their education, training or employment destinations for at least 3 years after they leave the school. 

All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers.

For example, STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.

Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace.

This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.

Every pupil should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.

There should be at least one experience by the age of 16 and a subsequent one by the age of 18.

By the age of 16, every pupil should have had a meaningful encounter with providers of the full range of learning opportunities, including 6th forms, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers.

This should include the opportunity to meet both staff and pupils.  By the age of 18 all pupils who are considering applying for university should have had at least 2 visits to universities to meet staff and pupils. 

Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level.

These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs.

“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

“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

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

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

Ofsted

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

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

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

Ofsted

“Teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding. “

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

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

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“Staff are successful in developing pupils’ independence.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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“Governors provide excellent support and challenge to senior leaders “

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

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

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

Ofsted

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

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

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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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“Pupils receive high-quality careers advice.“

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

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

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

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

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

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