About Us
About Us
Discovery Academy is located on the Norfolk Park Estate in Sheffield and first opened its doors in September 2022. In just four years, the Academy has grown into a thriving, nurturing and ambitious specialist provision for autistic young people aged 7–16.
We are proudly part of the award‑winning Nexus Multi Academy Trust, a leading provider of special education across South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. Nexus currently oversees fourteen special schools and a mainstream primary school, including the well‑established Becton School in Sheffield.
Our Journey So Far
Since opening, Discovery Academy has rapidly established itself as a centre of excellence for autism education. In June 2025, Ofsted recognised the Academy’s strong progress, judging the school Good in all areas:
• Quality of Education – Good
• Behaviour and Attitudes – Good
• Personal Development – Good
• Leadership and Management – Good
Inspectors praised our nurturing environment, the kindness shown by pupils, the strength of relationships between staff and students, and the ambitious curriculum designed to meet each learner’s needs. They highlighted how pupils re‑engage positively with education, build resilience, and develop genuine friendships.
This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, the trust of our families, and the determination of our students—many of whom arrive having faced significant barriers to learning. Together, we have built a community where every child is known, valued, and supported to thrive.
Who We Support
Discovery Academy is a specialist setting for autistic pupils. For a child to be allocated a place, the Academy must be named by the local authority in the child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Our students often see and experience the world differently. We embrace these differences and design learning that is structured, predictable, relational and aspirational. Every child is supported to discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop the skills they need for adulthood.
Our Ethos
Become a Dreamer
Become a Believer
Become an Achiever
These values shape everything we do—from our curriculum and therapeutic approaches to our relationships with families. We believe that when children feel safe, understood and inspired, they can achieve extraordinary things.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow, our mission remains clear:
To provide an exceptional, autism‑affirming education that empowers every learner to discover who they are, what they can do, and the future they deserve.
What will you Discover?
The Academy is part of the award‑winning Nexus Multi Academy Trust, a specialist trust that operates 14 special schools and one mainstream primary school across South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
Admission to Discovery Academy is through a local authority placement process. For a child to be allocated a place, the Academy must be named in the child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Below are some links that you may find useful:
https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2022-09/cost-of-living-crisis.pdf
Click here to access Seesaw our school communication tool