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.

Our Engagement Model

The engagement model and its curriculum offer a comprehensive framework designed to support and nurture the holistic development of individuals with complex needs. Rooted in the principles of inclusivity and personalised learning, the engagement model emphasises a student-centered approach that recognises and respects the unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations of each learner.

Central to this model is the recognition that traditional academic metrics may not adequately capture the progress and achievements of individuals with complex needs. Therefore, the curriculum is structured to encompass a broad spectrum of learning experiences, encompassing academic, vocational, social, emotional, and life skills development. Through a flexible and dynamic curriculum, students are empowered to explore their interests, build essential skills, and cultivate a sense of autonomy and self-advocacy. Moreover, the engagement model prioritises collaboration and partnership, fostering strong relationships between students, educators, families, and support professionals to ensure a cohesive and supportive learning environment. By embracing diversity, promoting inclusivity, and celebrating individual strengths, the engagement model and its curriculum provide a nurturing and empowering educational pathway for all learners.

On some occasions this curriculum model is more suited to the learner at The Sullivan Centre. In these circumstances Tapestry is used to assess and track the progress that is made.

Tapestry Cherry Garden serves as an invaluable assessment tool within the engagement model and its curriculum, facilitating a comprehensive and tailored approach to evaluating student progress and development. This platform offers a user-friendly interface and versatile functionality, allowing educators to document and track various aspects of student learning, including academic achievements, social-emotional growth, and personal milestones. With customisable assessment criteria, Tapestry Cherry Garden ensures that assessments align closely with the individual needs and goals of each student, promoting inclusivity and personalised learning experiences. By centralising assessment data, the platform enables educators to gain valuable insights into student progress over time, identify areas of strength and areas needing additional support, and adjust instructional strategies accordingly. Additionally, Tapestry Cherry Garden fosters collaboration and communication among educators, families, and support professionals, creating a cohesive and supportive educational community dedicated to optimising the success and well-being of all students within the engagement model and its curriculum.

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

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

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

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

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

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“Teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding. “

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

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

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

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

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“Leaders provide a wide range of weekly enrichment activities for 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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“Staff have very high expectations of themselves and their 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’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding.”

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

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

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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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“Staff are successful in developing pupils’ independence.”

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

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

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

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“Governors provide excellent support and challenge to senior leaders “

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

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

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

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“Pupils receive high-quality careers advice.“

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

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

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

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

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

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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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“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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“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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