Pupils receive a supportive welcome each morning from skilled staff. Wellestablished routines help pupils to feel happy and safe in school. Leaders and staff work as part of a close-knit team to carefully consider pupils’ special educational needs and or/disabilities (SEND). Pupils are at the heart of leaders’ work. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils to gain confidence so that they can thrive academically. Staff share this ambition. Leaders and staff ensure that pupils achieve well. Well-trained staff manage pupils’ complex SEND and associated challenging behaviours well. Pupils receive effective therapeutic support. They feel listened to and valued. Pupils told inspectors that staff respond quickly and effectively to any signs of bullying or poor behaviour. Consequently, disruption to pupils’ learning is kept to a minimum. Pupils enjoy many opportunities to learn about the wider world. These include visits to the cathedral grounds and trips to the zoo. Pupils’ preparation for adulthood is a priority. Leaders carefully consider the purpose and value of all learning opportunities. This helps staff, pupils, parents and carers to focus on aspirations for pupils’ futures. For example, pupils grow vegetables in the horticulture garden and develop their life skills in the local community.