Shenstone Lodge is a residential special school for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) and provides for pupils from Sandwell Borough. The school has two sites 16 miles apart. The site at Shenstone Lodge provides for up to 28 pupils, aged 5 to 11 years and includes residential provision for boys up to the age of 11 years. The site at Brades Lodge provides for a further 28 day pupils aged 11 to 16 years. The majority of pupils are of White British heritage and are boys. There are 3 primary aged girls. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs. The proportion of students for whom the school receives pupil premium funding (additional funding allocated by the government for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and for those who are looked after by the local authority) is well above average. Five pupils are eligible for the Year 7 catch-up premium which provides additional help with their literacy and numeracy. Pupils join the school at different times during their primary or secondary schooling and often have a history of fragmented education and poor attendance. The school makes use of alternative providers for students to study courses at Key Stage 4. Krunch Centre delivers life-skills programmes; Archway provides additional academic and vocational support; West Bromwich Albion Foundation delivers sports coaching and academic mentoring; Ground Works provides motor vehicle mechanics. Startrite delivers construction skills training; Wheels provides car maintenance and Shireoak Motorcycles provide motorcycle maintenance and rider training. The headteacher took up his post in January 2013.