The school provides for pupils from four to 19 years of age who have a range of disabilities and special educational needs. The largest group are those with physical disabilities. Many pupils have additional needs including moderate, severe or complex learning difficulties. All pupils have statements of special educational needs. The school has a sixth form which provides for students up to the age of 19. The school has residential provision which is separately inspected. About half of all pupils, mostly of secondary age, stay one night per week or partake in extended provision during evening sessions. The majority of pupils are boys. The proportion of pupils supported by pupil premium funding is higher than the average. This is additional funding for those pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and for pupils who are looked after by the local authority. Most pupils are of White British heritage. There is a small minority of pupils who are looked after by the local authority. The school also admits pupils from the neighbouring local authorities of Cheshire East, Warrington and Trafford. The school has links with Alder Hey Hospital School to help meet the educational needs of pupils at home recovering from illness or health-related reasons. The school has strong partnerships with other local special schools (Cheshire West and Chester Special School Headteachers (CWASSH), and Cheshire Special Schools Consortium (CSSC) and the Winsford Education Partnership (WEP). The headteacher provides input into and training for the Best Practice Network (BPN), set up to deliver better outcomes for children and young people across the country.