Oak Bank is a special school which caters for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties, including associated challenging behaviours. Many have additional special educational needs such as autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit and hyperactive disorders and speech, language and communication difficulties. Places for pupils are commissioned at the school by several local authorities, Including Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Luton. All pupils who are referred to the school have an education, health and care plan. The school has been a stand-alone academy since November 2013. In September Inspection report: Oak Bank School, 26–27 March 2019 Page 10 of 13 2016, the school added a sixth form and increased the age of pupils taught to 19. This is a growing school. Leaders are admitting up to 10 more pupils in September 2019 and will then provide education for 115 pupils. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds. Most pupils are boys. There are currently 10 girls. The proportion of pupils who have English as an additional language is in the lowest 20%of schools nationally. Pupils arrive at the school at any point in their educational career and can arrive as late as Year 11. Many have had disruptions to their education before attending Oak Bank School. Most have been excluded from their previous school. Some have been school refusers or have attended school rarely. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above the national average. The executive headteacher is also executive headteacher of the Academy of Central Bedfordshire. The executive headteacher is a national leader of education. The school makes extensive use of a wide range of external provisions. Providers include Angling for success (A4S), Academy of Central Bedfordshire (ACB), Bryerley Spring Farm, C&G Plastering, Edu Create (EduCr8), Develop, Hockwell Ring, Jam Rock media, Kik Start, Reactiv8, Seeds of Change, Snoosh Performance Gym and Bedford College.