The John F Kennedy School is a larger-than-average special school. The majority of pupils have a statement of special educational needs and/or an education, health and care plan. All pupils have severe, profound and complex learning difficulties, with many having complex social and communication difficulties, including those with autistic spectrum disorders. In addition, some pupils have complex medical needs. The proportion of pupils eligible for pupils premium funding is above average, as is the Inspection report: John F Kennedy Special School, 3–4 May 2017 Page 10 of 13 proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. Numbers on roll have increased significantly since the last inspection, particularly for younger pupils. The school currently has three primary-aged classrooms. The school operates on two sites. The Stratford site is equipped to provide specialist provision for up to 60 pupils ages from four to 19 with specific, profound and multiple learning difficulties. This includes sensory and soft play rooms and hydrotherapy, as well as large classrooms equipped with tracking hoists and outdoor equipment for pupils who are more independently mobile. The Beckton site is equipped and developed to offer specialist teaching and learning for up to 50 pupils from aged seven to19 who have social and communication needs, including autism. This site has developed its outdoor space to include a horticultural area, outside gymnasium and a primary-aged play area. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish. The school meets the requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. In September 2014, the school converted to an academy and formed a multi-academy trust (MAT) with Sheringham Primary School, the Learning in Harmony Trust. Since then, the trust has grown and includes several other Newham and Southend-on-Sea schools. The school provides special educational needs support to mainstream schools and is a lead school for Team Teach in Newham. The executive headteacher has led the work with other special educational needs experts to find an alternative solution to the current statutory assessment of special educational needs pupils, commissioned by the Department for Education, culminating in the Rochford Review. Both the executive headteacher and other leaders provide support for other schools within the MAT. A headteacher and deputy headteacher were appointed in September 2016. The school does not use alternative provision.