Sunrise Academy

Overview

Sunrise Academy is a special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, rated ‘Good’ across all key judgement areas. The report highlights a “welcoming atmosphere” where “compassionate and kind staff” effectively support pupils’ well-being and learning. The school has “improved rapidly” under its trust, with strong leadership and effective safeguarding arrangements.

Strengths

• Staff build “strong working relationships” with pupils, prioritising their “social, emotional and mental health needs” and resolving relationship difficulties expertly.
• Teachers tailor learning to individual needs, using “sound subject knowledge” and constant checks of understanding to ensure pupils “learn well”.
• Reading is a high priority; staff provide effective support so pupils “catch up with their reading skills” and become “fluent and confident readers”.
• The school fosters a “calm and orderly environment” through a well-implemented behaviour policy and skilful management of disruptions.
• Attendance is improving significantly as the school helps pupils and parents overcome barriers, while pupils are “prepared well for adulthood” through careers education.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure consistent support for pupils with gaps in writing skills, such as letter formation and grammar, so that writing reflects their understanding.
• Leaders need to develop more effective processes to evaluate whether placements at alternative provisions are “wholly effective” and deliver the best outcomes.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”