Pupils attending The Old Priory School are welcomed into a safe and nurturing environment. All pupils face significant social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Despite bringing negative experiences of seriously disrupted education in the past, pupils settle quickly and attend well. Social and emotional development is afforded high priority. All staff at the school demonstrate profound commitment to re-establishing pupils’ faith in adults and in the possibility of a positive future. Gradually, pupils respond to the care and support on offer and, over time, staff and pupils form strong bonds. Pupils learn to manage their behaviour more successfully, take an increasingly active part in learning and strive to live up to the expectations that leaders and staff set. All pupils say that they feel safe in school, and that they trust adults to support them with any worries. Pupils feel a sense of achievement and pride. They are proud when efforts are recognised with awards of team points and vouchers. Of a just-constructed brick wall, one pupil told the inspector: ‘This is the best thing I have ever done, literally the best thing.’ Despite these strengths, leaders’ plans for the subjects taught, including who by and how, have not been considered carefully enough. In particular, not enough is done to ensure that pupils read confidently, widely and with enjoyment.