Kirklees Academy
A warm and friendly welcome to Pivot Kirklees
Katie Lockwood
Headteacher, Kirklees
At Pivot Kirklees, our young people are the focus of everything we do, and we pride ourselves on creating a caring, happy and nurturing environment for them to learn, thrive and flourish.
We are very proud of our school and I am honoured to be Headteacher here. Our firm belief that all children deserve better is the driving force that powers the tireless work of all our staff to deliver a responsive and improving provision, every day.
As a staff team, we challenge ourselves to demonstrate our school values of being Positive, Resilient, Different, Passionate and Collaborative in everything we do. They are the way we work, and the people we are. Modelling these values allows our young people to share and develop them. We do this to prepare our learners for the next step in their journey, taking our values into the wider world.
For our learners, our provisions and curriculums are focused on social, emotional and academic development, whatever their starting points. We build knowledge and skills across a broad range of subjects and activities that allows our learners to feel successful and take positive steps forward in their journey to adulthood. Confidence is key for them to be the best version of themselves.
We work closely with the whole community, and particularly with home, as we know that in partnership, we are stronger. We strive to keep communication regular, clear and informative, ensuring that home feels included and valued in the education process.
By working together, we can ensure that all students feel safe, enjoy their time at school, make excellent progress and leave us with the determination to lead successful and fulfilling lives.
If you would like to know more about our Academy, please get in touch.
Kirklees Core
Our Core provision offers support for young people in Key Stage 4, who have a wide range of complex needs that are usually supported by an Education Health Care Plan. This provision offers places for up to 32 young people.
We work with learners and their parents/carers to provide support based on the individual needs of each child, giving them opportunities to gain a variety of qualifications and to follow different routes through to employment or further education. Our learners study GCSEs in English Language, Mathematics, Science, Biology or Business, and NCFE Employability, Relationships & Health, Creative Craft or Sport. They also study subjects that are not examined such as Zones of Regulation and Preparation for Adulthood. In addition, learners select options from other provisions e.g. construction, food technology, equine studies, motor vehicle engineering, multi-trade skills, and motorcycle maintenance to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Key Stage 4
Between 11 and 16 years old
Kirklees Nurture
Our Nurture provision opened in September 2021, providing additional high-quality education for learners with complex SEMH and other learning needs. This provision offers places for up to 32 young people.
We offer a calm and nurturing environment where pupils feel safe to learn and make mistakes. By embedding zones of regulation and emotion coaching approaches throughout our practice, we support learners to connect and regulate their emotions. Our curriculum meets the needs of learners across all Key Stages and has elements of academic, wellbeing, creative and experiential opportunities.
Upper Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4
Between 9 and 16 years old
Pivot 6
At Pivot 6, we offer specialist support for KS3 and KS4 learners who have been permanently excluded from mainstream school. We offer core academics, creativity and personal development but also clear focus on developing learner’s social and emotional skills. Our aim in Pivot 6 is to support learners academically and socially to prepare them for transition back into mainstream school or other next steps.
Learners are referred by local authorities as part of their Day 6 duty.
Pivot Outreach Programme (POP)
Pivot Outreach Programme (POP) is a specialist provision for KS3, KS4 & KS5 learners with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) who have been out of an education setting for a period of at least 6 months. We cater for a variety of needs, but particularly Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH).
Initially, our offer focuses on building relationships, self-esteem and removing barriers to learning. Through a collaborative and developmental approach, we support learners to build confidence and motivation that enables us to build a bespoke curriculum around them.
We work closely with learners and families to build the packages of learning which stretch and develop learner’s skills and abilities, at a carefully planned pace, in order to maximise opportunities for success. Our curriculum offer focuses on core academics, preparation for adulthood, zones of regulation, PSHCE and individual learner interests.
Referrals come via Case Work Officers from SEN teams.
Alongside their education, learners have access to:
- Climbing
- Trampolining
- Horse Riding
- Animal Care
- Computing
- Horticulture
- SMSC
- Theatre Visits
- Museum Visits
- And so much more.
Because Children Deserve Better, we give them the opportunity to find their ‘thing’. With access to a wide variety of extracurricular activities, our students develop new skills, experience their potential and explore their prospects.
Find out our Term Dates for this year
In the recent ISI inspection report, Pivot Academy Leeds demonstrated ‘significant strength’ in Leadership and Management.
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) recently inspected Pivot Academy Leeds and noted that Leadership & Management were a significant strength of the organisation: Directors, Leaders and staff work relentlessly in the best interest of the pupils' wellbeing.
See Report HereThe ISI framework resonated more with our visions and values. At the core of the inspection are four areas:
- Pupils physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing - this is fundamental to our way of working.
- Pupils education, training and recreation - this means we have a curriculum that meets our pupils needs.
- Leadership and management with the overarching responsibility of leadership and management to actively promote the wellbeing of pupils. Pupils social and economic well being and contribution to society which fits with our preparing for adulthood curriculum focus.
- The ISI main focus is to ensure that the wellbeing of young people is paramount and is at the centre of the framework and also the new inspection regime. Pivot embraced this supportive and inclusive approach were we worked collectively with ISI to support the whole of our school community.
83
Students have been supported by us this year alone. Academic year 22/23.
0
Exclusions or suspensions
100%
Of the KS4 learners passed GCSE Maths and English Language in the academic year 22/23
Travelling via public transport?
Here’s how to reach us.
Train & Bus times/routes may vary. All times are estimates.
Train & Bus times/routes may vary. All times are estimates.
Check out our Leeds Academies, see how you can apply or view our online resources.
Working together with
Our partners are essential to our success, sharing our vision and values as we collaborate to achieve our goals, and provide the best opportunities for the children.
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse. Please click here to find out more.
