Leeds Academy
I am very proud to be the Headteacher at Pivot Academy Leeds
Cheryl Lotherington
Headteacher, Leeds
Welcome to Pivot Leeds. Please let me introduce you to our school community and offers/pathways. We have 7 small co-located buildings that make up Pivot Leeds Campus:
Our core offer (years 7-11) is based in Unit 3 which has outside space and breakout spaces designed within the main classes. Our learners are typically neurodivergent, with complex social interaction needs, emotional challenges and/or other learning needs. Learners can study a range of qualifications from Entry Level Certificate up to 5 GCSE level courses.
Our Elevate offer (years 9-11) is housed in Unit 10. Elevate is a pathway to support learners to study up to 8 GCSE qualifications. These are learners who typically experience social, communication and interaction challenges while maintaining high academic aspirations. They will have often found their large secondary schools overwhelming and need a quieter more sensory aware environment.
Our LINKS offers (years 7-11) are based in Unit 12 (years 7-9) and Unit 11 (years 9-11). The LINKS team works with young people who typically have Emotional School Based Anxiety (EBSA). We support learners to re-engage with education, to engage with academic and pastoral activities, to achieve qualifications and to identify next steps post 16.
Unit 7 is where the school leadership team are based and this building also acts as our school reception. Visitors must sign in and the majority of parent/carer meetings are held here. Unit 9 is where our directors and central team are based, meaning that they are close by for collaborative working.
Unit 16 is our newest building and known as the P.I.T (Pivot Intervention Team) stop. The top floor is used for planned interventions with learners, whilst the bottom floor is used for exams and staff training as needed.
All our staff are highly trained and are dedicated to meeting the individual needs of the learners with relationships being key and ensuring fun and enjoyable activities engage and motivate our learners.
Many visitors have praised our learning environments, often likening them to a spa for their calming and welcoming atmosphere. We are committed to creating spaces that are not only peaceful and relaxing but also foster productivity and engagement for every learner.
I am also the proud owner of Buddy, our school’s chocolate Labrador. Buddy regularly visits and enjoys going for walks with our learners, bringing joy and comfort to our school
We look forward to welcoming you to our setting and sharing our unique offer and learning environments with you.
Leeds LINKS 3 & 4 (Learning, Inclusion, Nurture, Knowledge, Social Mobility)
Pivot Leeds LINKS (Learning, Inclusion, Nurture, Knowledge, Social Mobility) is aimed at learners in KS3 and KS4 who have an EHCP and experienced extended non-school attendance. They may also be neurodivergent.
The LINKS curriculum is designed to support learners both on and off-site. The academic curriculum is delivered by an online provider plus Pivot staff. The courses studied ranges from Functional skills to GCSEs. Learners can participate in English, English Literature, Mathematics, Science and optional GCSE’s when in KS4. PSHE is delivered by Pivot staff utilising the PSHE association framework and our planned PSHE Curriculum.
The environment is a key focus for LINKS with low lighting, individual workspaces, soft furnishings, reading areas and comfort/sensory zones.
Key Stage 3 & 4, Years 7-11
Between 11 & 16 years old
Leeds Core
Our Leeds Core school offers a therapeutic nurture based provision for learners who are typically neurodivergent, with complex social interaction needs, emotional challenges and other learning needs. Trauma informed practice and approaches are embedded throughout our provision to support the wellbeing of our learners. We follow the principles of the Autism Education Trust (AET) as our guide for best practice. We place the young person at the centre of all we do, recognise each of our learners are unique with different experiences and offer a pathway to reflect their individual need and allow for success. All our learners have the potential to succeed and to enable them to do so we believe in setting high aspirations for them and supporting each of them to achieve their individual goals.
Our aim as a school is to allow our young people to experience and understand the world around them, enable them to achieve to their full potential and equip them with the tools they need to play a successful role in the world beyond school. Learners can study a range of qualifications from Entry Level Certificate up to 5 GCSEs.
Key Stage 3 & 4, Years 7-11
Between 7-16 years
Leeds Elevate
Elevate is a pathway to support learners to study up to 8 GCSE qualifications. These are learners who typically experience social, communication and interaction differences while maintaining high academic aspirations.
Many of our learners also have anxiety and struggle within a large and sensory demanding mainstream setting. The Elevate curriculum is a flexible pathway and is designed for learners who can access GCSE-level curriculum to at least a level 4. Learners will receive face-to-face tuition for all lessons from subject specialists. There is also a focus on nurture, life skills and post 16. Social skills development is integrated through the curriculum. Regular monitoring is completed to assess progress and academic achievement. The Environment is neuro-affirming.
Key Stage 3 & 4, Years 9 -11
Between 13 & 16 years
Leeds Elevate
Elevate is a pathway to support learners to study up to 8 GCSE qualifications. These are learners who typically experience social, communication and interaction differences while maintaining high academic aspirations.
Many of our learners also have anxiety and struggle within a large and sensory demanding mainstream setting. The Elevate curriculum is a flexible pathway and is designed for learners who can access GCSE-level curriculum to at least a level 4. Learners will receive face-to-face tuition for all lessons from subject specialists. There is also a focus on nurture, life skills and post 16. Social skills development is integrated through the curriculum. Regular monitoring is completed to assess progress and academic achievement. The Environment is neuro-affirming.
Key Stage 3 & 4, Years 9 -11
Between 13 & 16 years
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.
There are currently no routes via Train to easily access our academy
Check out our Kirklees 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.
