Inspire Academy is a special school catering for pupils who have social, emotional or mental health difficulties. The school originally opened as a free school in September 2014. Following the last section 5 inspection, when the school was judged to require special measures, the school joined the Parallel Learning Trust, which operates similar provision in London and the South East. The school is currently governed by an advisory board, which reports to the academy trust. The executive headteacher is also the chief executive officer of the Parallel Learning Trust. The current headteacher joined the school in September 2017. Since the school was placed in special measures, there have been a number of other changes to leadership roles. Nearly all of the pupils in the school have an education, health and care plan. Some Inspection report: INSPIRE Free Special School, 5–6 June 2018 Page 10 of 13 pupils have additional needs, including autistic spectrum disorder. There are more boys than girls in the school. A higher-than-average proportion of pupils are disadvantaged. Currently, there is a very small number of students of sixth-form age. A small number of pupils are on bespoke timetables. These pupils are taught off-site by members of staff from the school. A number of pupils attend vocational programmes and work experience as part of their study programmes at Mid-Kent College, North Kent College and Nacro Education in Chatham.