This is a school where pupils are welcomed and feel valued. Leaders and staff support pupils to achieve more than was thought possible. All staff have high expectations of their pupils. Pupils say that the school helps them overcome their difficulties. As one pupil said, ‘This school has helped me to think straight.’ Helen Allison School is a calm, purposeful and happy place for pupils to be. Safeguarding procedures are firmly established, and pupils have confidence that adults will help to keep them safe. Specialist therapeutic intervention, as well as day-to-day behaviour support strategies, are effective. Pupils are proud to regulate their own behaviour with increasing consistency and success. Pupils learn to get on well with each other. They say that bullying is not a problem and are confident that any concern will be dealt with and helpfully resolved by staff. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about what the school does for their children. One parent, summing up the views of many, said, ‘Our child has made phenomenal progress since joining this school.’ Constructive relationships between parents, the school and other agencies are a key strength.