This is a regional specialist sensory and physical academy for secondary-aged students with significant hearing impairment as their main need. Almost three quarters of the students have additional special educational needs. These include specific communication and language difficulties, dyslexia, visual impairment, specific learning difficulties and medical needs. The school achieved specialist status as a sensory and physical school in September 2008. It gained academy status on 1st August 2012 as an outstanding school. This is its first inspection since then. The majority of students are from Hertfordshire. Others are from London and the eastern regions. All travel to school by taxi or minibus. Students come to Knightsfield from a wide range of previous placements. These include mainstream primary schools, specialist resourced provision for hearing-impaired students attached to mainstream schools, specialist schools for the deaf and other special schools. One fifth of the students are disadvantaged and supported by the pupil premium, which is additional funding for students known to be eligible for free school meals and those in local authority care. This is a broadly average proportion. However the numbers eligible in each year group are very small. A comparison is not made therefore in this report of the attainment between these students and others when they leave the school. Although the school has an above average proportion of students from a minority ethnic heritage, none are at an early stage of learning English. All students have a statement of special educational needs or education, health and care plans. The school adopts an auditory/oral approach to supporting students’ communication and learning. All students have hearing aids or cochlear implants. There are five students in the sixth form. All are studying courses at a local college, Oaklands College or at Monks Walk School, with whom Knightsfield shares a campus. Younger students also access courses at both of these provisions. The headteacher provides leadership and management coaching to other special schools locally.