Talocher School is an independent special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 that is administered by Priory Education Services. This is part of the wider Priory Group, which has over 30 schools and specialist colleges across England and Wales. The school provides education for young people who are resident within Priory children’s homes, as well as pupils who are unable to attend mainstream education. All pupils have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD) and associated complex needs. There are currently 22 pupils at the school including 19 boys and three girls. Seven pupils are in key stage 3, 11 in key stage 4 and four are post-16. Pupils are grouped for lessons according to ability and need. Fifteen of the pupils are ‘looked after’ by local authorities in England and Wales. Twenty pupils have a statement of special educational needs (SEN). No pupils have English as an additional language. The school has a clear vision and ethos, to provide a ‘different and broader’ type of education which allows pupils to find success. The motto of the school is: ‘Small Steps; Positive Outcomes’. It is not possible to compare the school’s performance with national averages, as there is no benchmark data available. Pupils’ attainment and achievement are judged on an individual pupil basis. Since the last inspection in 2007, the number of pupils on roll has increased steadily, from six to 22. The accommodation has been developed to provide, for example, a new dining hall and sports hall, an information and communication technology (ICT) suite and a design and technology classroom. The current headteacher took up her post in September 2008.