The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. Heathfield Special School provides education for pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities. The majority of pupils have moderate learning difficulties, with an increasing proportion of pupils who have severe learning difficulties. Many pupils have additional needs associated with autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, or physical and sensory impairments. All pupils who attend the school have an education, health and care plan or a statement of special educational needs. The school is composed of 11 classes. There are three classes for those with more complex needs, with most of these pupils having little or no verbal skills. Currently, the school has a specially resourced class for pupils whose primary need is associated with autistic spectrum disorder combined with social, emotional and mental health needs. In December 2015 the headteacher of St Francis Special School in Fareham, became Inspection report: Heathfield Special School, 13–14 June 2017 Page 8 of 11 the interim executive headteacher of this school. In April 2017, this school federated with St Francis Special School. Both schools now share a governing body and an executive headteacher. Children in the early years attend on a full-time basis. Over half of the pupils are eligible for the pupil premium. The school works in partnership with a range of external agencies including: speech and language therapists; health and social care professionals; physiotherapists; occupational therapists; audiologists; and paediatricians. The school uses a variety of alternative and augmentative communication systems, which provide extra ways of helping pupils who find it hard to communicate by speech or writing. The school does not make use of any alternative provision.