Staff make sure that the school day gets off to a calm and friendly start, checking in with each pupil and providing reassuring support where needed. Pupils are soon busily occupied in a range of activities chosen carefully to appeal to pupils’ interests and personal development targets, such as preparing breakfast, playing cricket or completing a word search. Warm and good-humoured relationships ensure that pupils feel secure and respected. Many greet visitors with a cheery ‘good morning’ and ‘how are you?’ as they settle happily into a busy school day. The school has high expectations of pupils, with a strong focus on helping them to secure nationally accredited qualifications. Outdoor learning in the school’s extensive land-based provision is a key part of school life and makes a strong contribution to learning. For instance, pupils routinely help with tasks such as feeding and moving the animals, as well as completing land-based qualification programmes in subjects such as equine studies and horticulture. The school’s culture of understanding, encouragement and reassurance is highly effective in helping pupils to develop a growing sense of self-worth and ambition. Pupils are extremely well prepared for the next stage of their education, both personally and academically.