The Fusion Academy

School is specifically for young people with autism and/or communication and interaction needs, requiring an EHCP naming this as primary need

“The Fusion Academy is for young people with autism and/ or communication and interaction needs who do not have a learning disability.”

A multi-disciplinary team including therapy professionals supports student needs

“a multi-disciplinary team, including a range of therapy professionals, work together to support all areas of student need”

Student wellbeing prioritized; students taught strategies to manage emotions like anxiety and anger and to develop independence

“Young people are also be taught strategies to help manage their emotions (such as anxiety and anger) and to develop their independence skills.”

The Work Skills course is designed to build employability skills for job success and career development.

“Work Skills is a course of units designed to equip learners with the essential skills for job success and career development.”

Class sizes capped at 8-10 students

“Class sizes are small (no more than 8-10 in a class), allowing students to get the focussed attention they need.”

The sixth-form base group is much smaller than the school's previous site, giving more space per student.

“The group of young people accessing this site will be much smaller than previously so that there is a great deal more space for practising vocational and life skills as well as easy access to the local community.”

Sixth formers can work towards a bronze or silver Duke of Edinburgh award tied to personal challenge-setting.

“Students can work towards a bronze or silver award and it is all linked to setting personal challenges and pushing boundaries.”

Careers curriculum aims to ensure high-quality, impartial careers information, advice and guidance for young people.

“Ensuring high quality, impartial career information, advice and guidance for young people”

Environment aims to have students feel safe, understood and listened to, with individualised teaching

“This union allows our students to have the best possible chance at reaching their academic goals in an environment where they feel safe, understood and listened to, in addition to having their wider needs met.”

School expresses high expectations while remaining flexible to individual student needs

“We have high expectations and recognise that their needs will change at different times therefore we remain flexible to adjust their curriculum and our teaching.”

Sixth form (16-19) is framed as a vocational bridge between school and college/work placements/apprenticeships, focused on real-life independence skills.

“A bridge between school and college or work placements and apprenticeships, giving young people opportunities to learn how to do things for themselves in real life situations.”

Key Stage 5 (sixth form) offers pathways including A Level/BTEC Level 3, GCSE retakes, and bespoke life-skills/college-preparation programmes.

“There are various pathways to follow. If you have studied with us at KS3 and KS4 you may be ready to access an A Level/BTEC Level 3 curriculum. If you join us at KS5 you may wish to follow a GCSE curriculum. We also offer bespoke programmes of support to access a college course or to focus on life skills in order to prepare for college, university or the world of work.”

Admission requires going through Leicestershire SEN Assessment Service (SENA) with an EHCP

“If you would like your child to come to The Fusion Academy, you will need to speak to the Leicestershire SEN Assessment Service (SENA).”

Work experience is highlighted as improving post-school employment outcomes specifically for SEND young people.

“young people with SEND are significantly more likely to be employed after school when they have taken part in work experience”