The school takes care in getting to know pupils prior to their first day at ISP Whitstable. Staff, parents and carers, and pupils work together to ensure that each pupil’s needs are known and planned for. This partnership approach is built upon, through supportive communication, throughout pupils’ time at the school. Pupils quickly develop positive and trusting relationships with staff and one another. They are greeted individually and warmly at the start of each day and are supported well to make a smooth transition to morning lessons. The happy atmosphere throughout school reflects pupils’ feelings of safety. Pupils know and learn about the school’s special words: ‘please, thank you’ and ‘kindness’. These words help bring the school’s ethos to life. Pupils understand that the school has great ambitions for their behaviour and learning. Initially, many pupils who join the school struggle to regulate their behaviour or to engage with learning consistently well. Movement breaks, adult support and personalised rewards help pupils to refocus and be ready to learn. Weekly trips to the farm enable pupils to practise positive behaviours and social skills in informal settings. Over time, pupils rise to the school’s expectations with increasing success.