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.

Vocational

At The Sullivan Centre, we provide a range of vocational learning opportunities for our pupils. Vocational subjects are courses of study that focus on practical applications of skills and knowledge required for specific trades or professions. These qualifications are different from traditional academic qualifications, as they are designed to prepare students for employment in specific industries or trades.

Vocational qualifications can be a great way for students to develop valuable skills and gain hands-on experience in their chosen fields. Our vocational subjects are designed to support pupils in achieving qualifications and engaging in learning by providing practical and industry-focused skills that are highly sought after by employers.

We offer a range of vocational subjects both delivered on site, such as hospitality, media, computing, and food technology, as well as through working in partnership with external partners. We believe that working with external partners helps to provide our students with a more rounded vocational experience that is reflective of real-world industry practices.

Some of the offsite vocational opportunities we have used and what they do are shown in the table below:

Offsite Vocational Opportunities Description
Motorvation Provides hands-on experience in mechanics, car maintenance, and repair
Hull QPD Work towards Diploma Level 1 and 2 in Entry to Uniformed Services
Vulcan Offers training in hair and beauty and construction and building trades
Orchard Training Offers vocational training in construction and building trades, including plastering, bricklaying
Local Works Preparing the Young Person for the World of Work and Sporting Activities
Wild Intervention Tailored support and outreach services to equip young people with key skills and independence needed to transition successfully into adult hood
Goxhill Meadows Hands on outdoor experiences which are engaging, educational and therapeutic.
Bishop Burton College Experiences caring for animals, courses available in animal care and management 

We believe that vocational learning can provide a valuable alternative pathway to academic qualifications, and can help our pupils to develop essential life and employability skills.

By offering vocational subjects in a variety of industries, we aim to provide our pupils with the opportunity to explore different career options and find the path that is right for them.

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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

“Governors provide excellent support and challenge to senior leaders “

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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 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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“Teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding. “

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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

“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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

“Pupils receive high-quality careers advice.“

Ofsted

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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ofsted

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

Ofsted