The Fusion Academy

Overview

The Fusion Academy is described as a "welcoming and inclusive school" where leaders have secured a "calm learning environment" and foster "caring relationships between staff and pupils." The report highlights that pupils feel safe, enjoy attending, and benefit from a curriculum tailored to their specific special educational needs and disabilities.

Strengths

• Staff maintain "high expectations for all pupils" and are "quick to notice when a pupil may need some additional support," providing sensory breaks to reduce anxiety.
• Communication is central to the school’s approach, with staff helping pupils to "work as independently as possible and advocate for themselves" using personalised curriculums and aids.
• Teachers use a structured lesson format of "recap, engage, review" and provide useful feedback, while reading is prioritised through drama and expert-led phonics support.
• Leaders are "knowledgeable and caring," supported by trustees who "rigorously hold leaders to account," creating an environment where staff feel well supported and proud.
• Pupils receive a "comprehensive careers education programme" and learn essential life skills, including online safety, finance management, and confident travel.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should refine curriculum planning in a few subjects to "clearly identify the precise knowledge that pupils must learn" to maximise progress.
• Leaders must continue working with parents to improve attendance for pupils who are "persistently absent" and missing valuable learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff training being "up to date and thorough" and leaders working tenaciously to secure external support to keep pupils safe.