This is a school that has made rapid progress, with the pupils themselves playing their part. Those who have been here longer are particularly proud of the evident improvement since the last inspection. Classrooms are mainly calm and purposeful, though not everyone’s behaviour is perfect all the time. That said, pupils do try hard to regulate their emotions. Importantly, staff have good strategies in place when pupils’ anxieties get the better of them. Key to the transformation are new policies and routines introduced by leaders. Staff have much higher expectations of pupils’ engagement in learning than in the past. Pupils understand what is expected of them. A group collectively agreed that their school is now ‘way better’ and free from the problems of the past. Sixth-form students were keen to share their view of the school’s turnaround in fortunes, attributing much of this to the dedication of staff, both old and new. Pupils’ views of the curriculum match those of inspectors. Pupils feel it meets their needs well. It is bespoke, but has adequate breadth, and is closely aligned to their own interests where possible. Successes are celebrated and pupils are increasingly confident in their ability to succeed.