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.

Subject – Art

Key Stage 3

At The Sullivan Centre our KS3 Art curriculum is designed to be linked to the National Curriculum, while also reflecting the unique needs and interests of our students. Our curriculum is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and inspiring, providing our students with the opportunity to explore a range of artistic techniques and styles. It builds upon the skills and knowledge learnt in KS2 and ensures the students are ready for the subject if chosen at KS4.

Our KS3 Art curriculum is designed to develop students’ skills in a range of areas, including drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. We believe that art is an essential part of a well-rounded education, and that it can provide students with a range of benefits, including improved creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and emotional wellbeing.

Our curriculum is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore a range of themes and subjects, including still life, portraiture, landscape, and abstract art. We encourage our students to experiment with different techniques and materials, and to develop their own unique style and voice as artists.

In addition to developing technical skills, our KS3 Art curriculum also includes opportunities for students to explore the cultural and historical context of art. We believe that understanding the social and cultural factors that influence artistic expression is essential for developing a deep appreciation for the art form.

Key Stage 4

At The Sullivan Centre, our Key Stage 4 Art curriculum is designed to prepare our students for the AQA Art and Design GCSE examination. Our curriculum is designed to be engaging and challenging, providing our students with the opportunity to develop their artistic skills and techniques, while also exploring a range of themes and concepts.

Our Key Stage 4 Art curriculum is designed to build on the skills and knowledge that our students have developed in earlier years, while also introducing new challenges and opportunities. We believe that the GCSE Art and Design course offers our students the opportunity to develop their creativity and individuality, while also developing essential skills such as critical analysis, evaluation, and problem-solving.

Our curriculum includes a range of practical activities, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and digital media. We encourage our students to experiment with different techniques and materials, and to develop their own unique style and voice as artists.

In addition to developing practical skills, our Key Stage 4 Art curriculum also includes opportunities for students to explore the cultural and historical context of art, and to develop their critical analysis and evaluation skills. We believe that developing an understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence artistic expression is essential for developing a deep appreciation for the art form, as well as for preparing our students for the GCSE examination.

This is a popular subject chosen at KS4, as many of our students feel they can access Art subject content regardless of missed education. It is also a chance for our students to be individual and express themselves through the medium, many of our students carry on when they leave to study further in KS5.

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

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

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

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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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“Teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding. “

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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 are successful in developing pupils’ independence.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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 a wide range of weekly enrichment activities for pupils.“

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“Pupils receive high-quality careers advice.“

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

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

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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 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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