Most students have severe, profound, multiple and complex learning difficulties. A few have life limiting or deteriorating conditions. Each has a statement of special educational needs. There is a trend for more and more students to be admitted with an increasing complexity of need. Almost a half of pupils have additional difficulties relating to autism. Many students need personal care in all situations. Nearly all students are White British. Boys considerably outnumber girls, as is usually the case in schools such as this. A much higher than average proportion of students is known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional funding provided by the government for students known to be eligible for free school meals or who are looked after children). There are currently nine looked after children. A long serving headteacher has left since the last inspection. Her replacement has been in post for about three years. Some sixth form students attend Thornton College for up to one and a half days each week. Most of the courses they follow there are aimed at easing students’ transfer into mainstream colleges at a later date. The college is a new form of provision for disabled students up to the age of 25. The school has achieved the Rights Respecting Schools Award. This is an award that recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of everything the school does.