The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish. Torfield School became an academy in 2014. When its predecessor school, Torfield School, was last inspected by Ofsted, in December 2013, its overall effectiveness was judged to be good. The school provides education for pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities. The majority of pupils have needs associated with autistic spectrum disorders. Many have additional difficulties relating to communication and social, emotional and mental health. A few have visual and physical needs. Almost all pupils Inspection report: Torfield School, 19–20 September 2017 Page 8 of 11 have an education, health and care plan. A few are currently awaiting a plan. The school is based on two sites. There are currently two combined early years and Year 1 classes, which also include a small number of Year 2 pupils who have higher levels of need. These are based at Parker Road Early Years Centre, within the campus of a mainstream primary school. There are five classes at Croft Road. In most classes pupils are grouped according to their age and abilities. When they leave Torfield, most pupils transition to Saxon Mount Secondary Special School. Approximately 20% of the pupils in the school have more complex needs. There are two specialist classes for these pupils, one at each site. Approximately three quarters of the pupils are male. A large number of pupils enter and leave the school at times other than the beginning of the school year. Around half of the pupils are supported by the pupil premium. This is well above the national average. The school works with a range of outside agencies. These include health and social care professionals. In 2012, the school federated with Saxon Mount Secondary Special School. In 2014, both schools converted to become part of the Torfield and Saxon Mount Academy Trust. The headteacher of Saxon Mount became the executive headteacher of both schools. He is also the chief executive officer of the academy trust. Both schools are accountable to a single federated governing body. The governing body is composed of a board of directors and an advisory board which supports their work. The school has established a partnership with the University of Brighton to provide for specialist postgraduate teacher training. The school currently does not place pupils in any alternative provision.