The Sky Academy

Overview

The Sky Academy is a special school for pupils with emotional, social and mental health difficulties, where leaders have driven "clear and effective improvements" since joining a new trust. The report describes an "inclusive, warm and nurturing" environment where pupils are "known and valued as individuals," resulting in a calm atmosphere that supports resilience and positive wellbeing.

Strengths

• Staff build "strong relationships" with pupils, helping them address personal challenges and anxiety to improve attendance and engagement.
• The curriculum is "broad and balanced," offering tailored pathways that include qualifications like GCSEs and essential life skills such as safe knife handling.
• Pupils benefit from "highly effective pastoral care," including specialist therapies in drama, play and art, alongside a "relational, restorative approach" to behaviour.
• Leaders provide "high-quality professional learning" for staff, fostering a "collegiate ethos" where staff feel proud and supported.
• Personal development is woven throughout the curriculum, with pupils enjoying "learning through adventure" activities like forest school and residential trips.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should "evaluate the impact of improvement strategies more precisely" to drive further development.
• Staff should "strengthen the use of assessment" to more accurately identify misconceptions and gaps in knowledge, ensuring activities prepare pupils well for subsequent learning.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed, ensuring pupils "are made safer and feel safe."