The Fusion Academy

The Fusion Academy is performing well overall, achieving a 'Good' rating in all inspected domains during its first Ofsted inspection. The school is characterized by a welcoming and inclusive environment, where strong relationships are fostered between staff and pupils. The leadership team has made significant strides in designing a broad and ambitious curriculum tailored to meet the special educational needs of its students. While most pupils are thriving academically, there are still a few subjects where the curriculum design needs further refinement to ensure all pupils achieve optimal outcomes.

Strengths

• Inclusive and welcoming school environment
• Strong relationships between staff and pupils
• High expectations for all pupils
• Effective support for pupils' emotional and learning needs
• Broad and ambitious curriculum that meets SEND needs
• Collaborative efforts between teachers and therapists
• Strong emphasis on communication skills
• Effective lesson structure and regular progress checks
• Engaging reading programs that foster enjoyment and skill development
• Robust personal development and career education opportunities
• Caring and knowledgeable leadership supported by trustees

Areas for Improvement

• Some curriculum areas lack clearly defined knowledge expectations
• Persistence of absenteeism among a subset of pupils

In 2024–25 pupils at The Fusion Academy attended 87.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 29.9% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at The Fusion Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 The Fusion Academy had 5.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 11.0% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 The Fusion Academy had 97 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: autistic spectrum disorder.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 The Fusion Academy received £33,299 and spent £30,714 for each of its 93 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £787,000 (£8,461 per pupil).

Across all 3 schools of Open Thinking Partnership, income was £24,065 and spending £22,334 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Leicester · Leicestershire local authority: places and applications

The Fusion Academy is part of Open Thinking Partnership, which runs 3 schools. The nearest others:

• Dorothy Goodman School Hinckley Hinckley
• Forest Way School Coalville

What is The Fusion Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Fusion Academy is Good, from an inspection in June 2023.

When was The Fusion Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

The Fusion Academy was last inspected in June 2023.

How many pupils does The Fusion Academy have?

The Fusion Academy has 97 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Fusion Academy cover?

The Fusion Academy for pupils aged 7 to 19.

Where is The Fusion Academy?

The Fusion Academy is at Moore Road, Barwell, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE9 8AG.