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.

Inspire – The Unit

The unit was named ‘Inspire’ following a public competition run by Trust charity, Health Stars and chosen by a panel of young people.

The service has 13 beds in total. Nine beds are for general adolescent admissions and four are PICU (Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit) beds. The inpatient unit is equipped and staffed to treat young people struggling with a wide range of mental health issues such as depression, severe anxiety, psychosis and eating disorders.

The service aims to provide an evidence based and effective service for young people with severe and complex mental health difficulties.

The service will provide timely and appropriate assessment and intervention which will facilitate that young person’s progress on their recovery journey to affect discharge to the care of their local community CAMHS teams. The unit also aims to reduce out-of-area placements for young people across Hull, the East Riding and North and North-East Lincolnshire, cut the lengths of inpatient stays and lead to better outcomes for young people.

The building which was designed according to its 13 to 18-year-old young people’ clinical needs, includes:

  • Nine general adolescent (GAU) beds and four Psychiatric Intensive Care (PICU) ensuite bedrooms
  • A lounge, dining area, kitchen, laundry, treatment and dispensing room, staff office and quiet room
  • Multi-purpose, activity, gaming and sensory rooms
  • A school, tribunal and meeting room, gym, multi-faith room, family visit room, interview room, reception area, facility management rooms, central kitchen and support office spaces
  • Courtyards providing access to safe outdoor space;
  • A new entrance shared with the Children’ Centre.

The Sullivan Centre provides education for students whilst spending time at the inpatient unit.

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

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

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

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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“Pupils receive high-quality careers advice.“

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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

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

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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“Teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding. “

Ofsted

“Governors provide excellent support and challenge to senior leaders “

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“Staff are successful in developing pupils’ independence.”

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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

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

Ofsted