Hillcrest Glebedale School is an independent day school for pupils aged between 7 and 19 years experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties. It is located in the residential area of Heron Cross, Stoke-on-Trent. The school is registered to take sixth-form pupils. At the time of the inspection, there were no sixth-form pupils on roll. Previously, this school was known as Young Options Pathway College, Stoke. It was last inspected in December 2014. Following this inspection, the school applied to the Department for Education to extend its age range to include primary pupils and to move Inspection report: Hillcrest Glebedale School, 12–14 June 2018 Page 10 of 13 its site. The school relocated to this building in April 2017 and changed its name. The school offers places for children who are looked after by local authorities. They also offer places to day pupils from the local community. Most pupils arrive at the school having experienced significant trauma and difficulties, which have impacted on previous placements and frequently led to multiple placement breakdowns. As a result, pupils often arrive with significant gaps in their learning and attainment. On entry, many pupils are operating at lower levels than those typical for their age. The majority of pupils have EHC plans. All pupils have experienced some form of disruption to their education. Some pupils have not received formal education for extended periods of time prior to joining the school. In order to support access to the curriculum, education staff work alongside clinicians to understand and respond therapeutically to pupils. On admission to the school, pupils take part in an induction programme. During this time, their educational and personal needs are assessed as the provision gradually increases to full-time attendance. The school provides part-time placements for some pupils at Stokeon-Trent College for individual vocational courses. Additional vocational courses are available at the Pathways College site as well as at Horses for Courses, Stoke on Trent. The majority of pupils come from Stoke-on-Trent, but several children who are looked after by local authorities come from further afield.