Bettws Lifehouse is an independent day school situated in a small, rural village in Powys. It provides day education for up to 30 pupils aged seven to nineteen years. Pupils have a range of complex needs including behavioural, social, emotional difficulties and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). All pupils have a statement of special educational needs or education health and care plan. Most pupils have experienced significant periods of disruption to their formal learning prior to their arrival at the school. Many join the school at times of personal crisis, often towards the end of their compulsory education, and at different points during the academic year. Many pupils receive multi-agency support outside of school to support their wellbeing. As a result, there is considerable variation in pupils’ individual starting points, motivation and learning ability. The school describes itself as ‘A truly child centred school, providing a therapeutic and holistic education’. There are currently 30 pupils in the school, a very few of whom are sixth form pupils. No pupils speak English as an additional language or speak Welsh as a first language. The school’s last core inspection was in May 2012. Since then, the school roll has increased by over 60%. The headteacher is one of the proprietors and has been in post since the school opened.