• V.A.S.E Academy is inclusive, supportive and aspirational and aims to help every pupil thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

• Will suit families needing a personalised secondary setting where confidence, life skills and academic progress are all taken seriously.

Admissions at V.A.S.E Academy are suitability led and highly personalised, and should appeal to families and professionals seeking a secondary setting for young people who need a more tailored route than mainstream can offer. It should suit pupils who benefit from close support, confidence building and a curriculum that values life skills as much as qualifications.

Scholarships are beside the point here. The key issue is whether the academy's personalised curriculum, emotional support and practical life-skills focus can help a young person make secure progress.

The current picture is encouraging, with the school describing a personalised environment and holistic inclusive curriculum, and Ofsted currently showing a Good judgement. Parents and referrers should still visit because the decisive question is whether the school's blend of support and expectation is the right match for the individual student.