This is a happy school where staff are focused on ‘equipping learners for life’. They care deeply about their pupils, all of whom have complex needs and barriers to learning. Staff understand pupils’ individual needs, strengths, talents and interests. They know what pupils need and when. As a result, pupils make exceptional progress in all areas of their education. Ultimately, they are prepared well for what the future holds. The headteacher and her team have worked relentlessly over the last few years to develop an ambitious curriculum that is focused on pupils’ wide-ranging needs. There is no ceiling to what they believe pupils can achieve. In classrooms, there is a positive energy, where pupils enjoy learning. This was evident through the laughter and happiness the lead inspector saw between staff and pupils. Pupils take an interest in what they learn. Bullying is not something pupils worry about because it is rare, and tackled well if it happens. Overall, behaviour is excellent. Pupils’ behaviour is well understood. There are times when pupils’ behaviour gets in the way of their own learning. What is clear, though, is that staff know how to approach these situations, and respond appropriately.