Hailey Hall is a residential special school for boys from all parts of Hertfordshire, who have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD). All students have a statement of special educational needs for BESD and related difficulties. The needs of students are becoming increasingly complex and approximately one third of them have mental health issues. Approximately one third of students are resident for four nights per week. The majority of students are White British. Approximately one half of students are known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional funding for those known to be eligible for free school meals, in local authority care or from families with a parent in the armed forces). Approximately a third of these students are in local authority care and none are from families in the armed forces. The proportion of students who join or leave the school at times other than the usual times of admission or leaving is high. The school uses no other outside establishments to provide education for its students. Residential students take part in an independent-living skills programme to help them become more independent with daily domestic tasks.