APTCOO is a safe and caring environment for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils feel happy and say they are very well cared for. They enjoy attending because of the strong relationships they have with the staff. Pupils are proud of their school. Staff have a united passion for pupils to achieve their highest potential. This high ambition means that staff go ‘above and beyond’ to support all pupils to succeed. The school promotes an environment where all pupils are highly valued by staff. Pupils respond to this by showing the same value and care for each other. Pupils are polite, considerate and welcoming to visitors. When pupils struggle with their emotions, staff provide highly effective strategies that allow pupils to regulate and then return to their learning. The school has been particularly effective in supporting highly anxious pupils to attend school, because of the high-quality nurture and pastoral support it provides. Pupils benefit greatly from working in the school’s outdoor environments. They have developed the school grounds to increase biodiversity. They enjoy looking after the school’s animals. Pupils have lots of opportunities to develop their talents and interests.