Donyland Lodge is a day special school that caters for up to 15 boys and girls aged 11 to 18 years from the proprietor’s children’s homes who have severe behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. There is currently one boy on roll aged 17 years and he receives full-time education. This student has a statement of special educational needs and is looked after by his local authority. The school aims to run as a therapeutic environment and various therapies are provided within and outside the school day. The school’s vision is: ‘To create quality environments, employing dedicated and professional staff teams, where those placed in our care are supported to achieve the most they can from life.’ Context of the inspection The school was last inspected by Ofsted in March 2012 when the education provided was judged to be satisfactory. The school met most, but not all, of the education regulations for independent schools. The school submitted two action plans for improvement in response to the report. The first, submitted in July 2012, required improvement. The second action plan was evaluated in September 2012 and was judged to be satisfactory. This is the report of the first progress monitoring visit undertaken in order to evaluate the progress made by the school in implementing its action plan. This progress monitoring visit took place at the same time as a material change visit to assess the suitability of the school’s proposed new premises. The material change was recommended for approval.