V.A.S.E Academy

Overview

V.A.S.E Academy is described as a "harmonious place" where pupils with complex needs, primarily autism, feel "understood and known." The report highlights that leaders have a "clear and ambitious vision" centred on pupils, resulting in a setting that has been "developed well to suit the school's context." The school meets all independent school standards and demonstrates strong capacity for further improvement.

Strengths

• Inclusion is a "significant strength," with "astute use of external agencies" and "consistently inclusive practice" ensuring pupils thrive.
• Personal development is robust, featuring extensive teaching on cultures, beliefs, and "healthy relationships," enhanced by work on developing pupils' "oracy."
• The curriculum is "broad" and "well planned," enabling pupils to access "ambitious qualifications" despite arriving with "significant gaps in their learning."
• Pupils benefit from "extensive work-related learning experiences" and trips that help develop "confidence and independence."
• Leadership ensures staff receive "regular training" and that workload is managed to support staff "well-being."

Areas to improve

• Leaders should develop consistency in how teachers "check pupils' understanding" and adapt tasks to address knowledge gaps.
• Attendance strategies require further embedding to ensure "continued sustained increases in attendance."

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are "made safer and feel safe."