Lodge Farm offers pupils a calm, nurturing and stimulating environment in which to learn. Pupils feel safe and valued by staff. Pupils demonstrate commitment and resilience in a range of activities. This includes reading John Steinbeck’s work, applying their mathematical knowledge of place value, tidying the stables and looking after Gary the rooster. Pupils enjoy the school grounds, which provide them with the space to be independent and responsible. The school has high expectations of pupils’ learning. Pupils are taught by staff who know them well. Mentoring and therapy sessions consider pupils’ educational needs as well as their social and emotional needs. The curriculum is skilfully designed and is matched precisely to pupils’ interests and abilities. As a result, pupils settle quickly at the school, make good academic progress and attend well. Pupils are respectful of others and conduct themselves maturely around school. Staff notice when pupils experience distress and respond sensitively to pupils’ emotional needs. They are successful in helping pupils to manage their behaviour and feelings. Pupils’ lives are transformed by attending this school, and they thrive. One parental comment, which represents the views of many was: ‘This school has made my son back to being my son – happy, confident, loving – and most of all [he] can’t wait to go to the school every morning.’