The school provides for pupils with a range of complex learning and health issues. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs. The designated categories of need comprise severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties. However, a high proportion of pupils, about a third and increasing, have a secondary diagnosis of autism. The local authority is responsible for determining admissions to the school. Many of the pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties join the school at two years of age. Many of the pupils with severe learning difficulties and/or autism join the school after a period in mainstream schools. Pupils attending the school come from all over Liverpool. Most travel to and from the school using transport provided by the local authority, accompanied by trained escorts. The majority of pupils, about two thirds, are boys. A large proportion of pupils are known to be eligible for free school meals and a small number are in the care of the local authority. The school is, therefore, in receipt of the additional funding termed the ‘pupil premium’, provided by the government. At the time of the inspection, planning was at an advanced stage to relocate the school into new, purpose-built accommodation in September 2014.