Ian Mikardo School is a special school for boys with severe and complex behaviour, emotional and social difficulties. All students have a statement of special educational needs. There have been substantial changes in what the school offers since the previous inspection. The number of students in the school has doubled following a period when the school was using a temporary site. The school is now occupying purpose-built accommodation on its original site as part of the Building Schools for the Future project. The school’s curriculum is made up of two aspects: the subject curriculum and the social curriculum. The subject curriculum, introduced five years ago, is structured under five headings and led by a head of department. The social curriculum takes place during breakfast, break, lunch and after school. Almost all students are supported through the pupil premium. This additional government funding is for students who are looked after and for students known to be eligible for free school meals. The school receives a small amount of additional funding for its students in Year 7. About a third of students are from a White British background and the rest come from a range of minority ethnic backgrounds. A few students speak English as an additional language. The school provides outreach for other schools in its community.