Underley Garden School is a specialised independent special school in Lancashire which provides for pupils aged five to 19 years who have moderate to severe learning difficulties. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. The school opened in 1990 and is registered for 60 pupils. It is owned by Acorn Care and Education and was last inspected in July 2012. There are 47 pupils on roll, 10 of whom benefit from post-16 provision. Most pupils are of White British heritage. Pupils are placed at the school from local authorities across the country. Inspection report: Underley Garden School, 9–11 January 2018 Page 11 of 14 The school brochure states, ‘We support children who have a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. All the children at Underley Garden have difficulties with social communication, social imagination, and have restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities. Many of our children have complex learning difficulties and other sensory and medical needs, often associated with their ASD’ (autism spectrum disorder). The school aims to ‘prepare them (pupils) for whatever the future holds, be it living in shared, independent or assisted accommodation or returning to be with their family… and provide them with the relevant skills, so they can transition confidently to the next stage of their life’. Due to the complex nature of most pupils’ learning needs, support from adults to meet their educational, emotional, social and medical needs is often intensive. All pupils learn in small groups. Some are educated on a one-to-one basis. Most classes include pupils from different age groups. Since the previous inspection, provision has been extended to include pupils aged between five and nine years. Some pupils follow the national curriculum for key stages 1 to 4. Others, for whom the national curriculum is not appropriate, have bespoke programmes of learning. All students in post-16 provision have personalised learning programmes. Some study for vocational qualifications and have various work experience opportunities. The senior leadership team has been reorganised. The principal is new to the school since the previous inspection. Two assistant headteachers are new to post. There have been significant staffing changes to match the expansion of school services, most notably those for pupils aged between five and nine years. New staff include teachers, teaching assistants, nurses, speech and language therapists, an occupational therapist, and a health and therapy assistant. The proprietor has acquired new buildings and premises. During the inspection, refurbishment work was taking place. In addition, play and recreational areas were being developed. The school does not use alternative providers.