The school’s previous standard inspection was in July 2015, when it was judged to be good overall. Since then, the school opened a secondary department in September 2018, following a material change inspection in July 2017. The school opened in 1961 and is currently registered for 33 girls and boys aged from two to 18 years of age. The school does not use alternative providers. The school is funded by commissioned places for pupils with physical difficulties. The majority of them are wheelchair users, have learning difficulties and increasingly complex medical needs, along with speech and language difficulties. In addition, some of them Inspection report: Vranch House School, 26–28 June 2018 Page 8 of 11 have visual and/or hearing impairments and life-limiting and/or deteriorating conditions. The current headteacher took up post in September 2016. The school is owned and operated by a registered charity, directed and managed by a board of trustees. There is a governing body that oversees the education and therapy provision at the school. On the same site, the charity provides a paediatric therapy centre for mainstream outpatient children. The therapies include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and hydrotherapy. Various outpatient clinics are also on-site, targeted for orthotics, dental, continence and wheelchair needs. The charity does not consider the school a ‘therapy school’. It ensures that Vranch House School offers no more therapy than at any other school for which the charity is commissioned to provide services.