Parents and carers describe Dovecote School as ‘life changing’. For most pupils, this is their first successful experience of education. Leaders have high expectations for what every pupil can achieve. Pupils learn a highly ambitious curriculum, centred around their talents and interests. They know that staff believe in them and place no ceiling on their learning. Pupils who previously struggled to engage with education now turn up each day, excited to learn. They progress exceptionally well through the curriculum. Staff understand pupils’ emotional needs very well. This enables them to help pupils to understand and manage their emotions successfully. Pupils develop highly respectful attitudes towards others. They interact with increasing confidence and success. Pupils learn to care for each other, listen to different opinions and speak up for themselves. Pupils develop life skills that will help them to be independent in their next steps. As they spend longer at the school, they learn to believe in themselves. Pupils develop positive views of their future and set aspirational targets for their own development. Parents feel strongly that their children now have a brighter future. ‘Dovecote helped my child to smile again’, was a comment from a parent.