Hailey Hall School is a residential special school for boys who have social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. On average, around one third of pupils who attend the school also board in the residential provision. The school converted from a community special residential school to become a single academy converter. The new school began operation in September 2015. Some governors also act as trustees to the school, including the chair of governors Inspection report: Hailey Hall School, 24–25 January 2019 Page 11 of 14 who is also chair of trustees. However, the scheme of delegation on the website did not reflect the most up-to-date information about this. Leaders provided inspectors with a reviewed governance structure during the inspection. The predecessor school was deemed good at its previous inspection. The headteacher was absent from the school during the time of this inspection and has been on a leave of absence since December 2018. To cover the headteacher’s absence, the two deputy headteachers are leading the school on a day-to-day basis, while the head of care and deputy head of care are running the residential provision. At just over half, the proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is higher than the national average. The school uses Paringdon Education and Training Ltd in Harlow, and CTP training academy in Harlow for a few pupils who access alternative provision. Some pupils also access work experience at local garages, zoos and care homes. Prior to the inspection, governors contacted the local authority’s chosen school improvement provider, Hertsforlearning, to try to organise an external review of governance and seek further commissioned support.