Sullivan Upper School

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning teachers did not cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI states it is “unable to assure... of the quality of education being provided” and could not evaluate core areas such as teaching quality or learning outcomes.

Strengths

• Parents reported “high levels of satisfaction” with the school, praising staff commitment to academic ability and well-being.
• Year 7 children read “fluently, confidently and with high levels of interest” and could explain complex vocabulary.
• Children spoke positively about the “range of outings and residential trips” and opportunities to develop leadership skills.
• The school development plan is underpinned by “wide consultation with all stakeholders” and regularly monitored.
• Governors are described as “highly supportive” and well-informed of strengths and areas for development.

Areas to improve

• The report states the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully” learning outcomes, curriculum quality, and the effectiveness of teaching and assessment.
• Planned works for the “main access point to the preparatory department site need to be completed” to address health and safety risks.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education” and children feel safe, though the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements” due to the industrial action.