New state-of-the-art SEND academy for children opens in Sheffield

Teachers and staff at the Discovery Academy standing in front of the entrance to the school.

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will benefit from a welcome boost to the city’s SEND Placements in the opening of The Discovery Academy, a specialist academy school which opened its doors to excited students and staff on 20 September.

The school, delivered by award winning Nexus Multi Academy Trust and located on the Norfolk Park Estate, will offer 60 places for children aged 7-16 initially, expanding to 80 places over the next few years. The places are for children who have a diagnosis of autism or who are on the diagnostic pathway. Children may also have related social, emotional and mental health needs, or Specific Learning Difficulties (SPLD). All children who attend the school, must have an Education, Health and Care Plan which names Discovery Academy as their school place.

Cllr Dawn Dale, Co-Chair of the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee, said:

“Discovery Academy will increase sufficiency of school places for children with special educational needs in Sheffield, supporting and guiding them through 3 Key Stages of their education.

“Schools like this are vital in helping children who have difficulties in their learning reach their full potential. I can’t wait to see students experiencing everything the school has to offer.”

The school is kitted out with state-of-the-art, immersive learning environments, and teachers will work in a personalised way with each student, helping them to engage fully with their learning.

Cllr Mick Rooney, Co-Chair of the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee, said:

“I am so impressed with the range of facilities at the school. There are specially designed rooms for relaxation, play and sensory processing as well as specialist academic rooms to stretch their learning in food technology, science, design and technology or art.”

“These facilities, together with the expertise and encouragement of its teachers and staff, will support and stimulate hundreds of Sheffield students in their education for years to come.”

Luci Windle, Executive Headteacher at Discovery Academy, said:

“There has been a lot of hard work over the last few months to get everything ready and the wonderful building is a testament to the partnerships that have come together to create it.

“The new staff team have come together brilliantly with our fantastic families to get off to the right start on our students’ journeys towards achieving their dreams. We know the hard work has only just started and look forward to being a part of Sheffield’s education family for many years to come.”

Warren Carratt, CEO of Nexus Multi Academy Trust, said:

“The school finally opening its doors to pupils comes from years of partnership working between our Trust, Tilbury Douglas, the Department for Education and Sheffield City Council. We couldn’t be prouder to have created a 21st century school for our children and young people, and it will our privilege to educate them and enable them to be the best they can be.”