Pupils who attend Rutherford School are kept safe, and are nurtured and respected. Their complex special educational needs and/or disabilities are well understood by staff. Leaders, staff and governors are highly committed to improving the lives of the pupils in their care. Staff have high expectations for pupils. There is a team approach to delivering the curriculum. Therapists, nurses and teaching staff work together effectively to make sure that pupils progress towards meeting their personalised targets. Staff think carefully about how to cater for pupils’ individual, specific needs. They use a wide range of methods to interact and communicate with pupils and stimulate their senses. Pupils benefit from a curriculum across a broad range of themes and subjects. This includes learning life skills that help them when they leave the school. As one parent and carer put it, pupils here ‘have amazing experiences in school and in the community’. Staff skilfully minimise any interruption to lessons that occur during times when pupils need medical support. Staff are also highly skilled at refocusing, distracting or comforting pupils if they become anxious or are feeling pain or discomfort. Pupils learn in a safe and secure environment. Staff are meticulous in ensuring that resources and equipment are safe and well maintained.