Brookfields provides for pupils with complex special needs. All pupils attending the school have a statement of special educational needs indicating severe learning difficulties and/or autistic spectrum conditions. Many pupils have additional physical or medical needs. The school has changed from an all-age (3 to 19) special school since its last inspection. It now caters for pupils between the ages of 3 and 11. Pupils can join the school at any age but most begin school in the Nursery. Almost half of the school’s pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional funding provided to support pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, children looked after by the local authority and the children of military personnel); this is significantly above the national average. There are three times as many boys as girls in the school and most pupils are of White British heritage. A small number of pupils experience activities in local mainstream primary schools; for these, the school has links with St Augustine’s RC Primary, St Basil’s RC Primary, St John Fisher RC Primary, Hill View Primary and Holy Family School. Children from the Warrington Road Children’s Centre join the school’s nursery-age group for one session every week. The school has links with Cavendish School and Ashley School and works in partnership with the Merseyside Special Schools’ consortia for a range of activities. The school has an outreach service which has grown in size since the last inspection. The service is maintained on behalf of the local authority and serves both primary and secondary schools. It provides advice, support and guidance for pupils with autistic spectrum conditions and visual impairment, and for their teachers and families. The school has achieved the Basics Skills Quality Award, National Autistic Society accreditation, International Schools Award, ICT Mark Award, Eco Schools Award, Artsmark (Silver) Award and holds Healthy Schools status. It has also achieved the Investors in People award.