Ravensbourne School opened as a new academy in 2016. It is part of the Hornbeam Academy Trust, which includes two other special schools in North East London. The board of trustees, which includes the chief executive officer, is responsible for the school’s work. A local governing body currently has a monitoring role but no delegated powers. Six students are currently educated off-site at another school in the academy in order to pursue a different curriculum pathway. Almost all of the 87 pupils on roll have education, health and care plans. All attend full time except for four children who attend the school part-time in the early years setting. Inspection report: Ravensbourne School, 10–11 January 2019 Page 8 of 11 Pupils come from eight different London boroughs. Pupils have a wide range of special needs which mean that they are at a severely delayed stage of development relative to their age. The school has a specialist setting for six pupils with significant needs due to autistic spectrum disorders. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well above the national average. The principal took up her post in September 2017. She has been joined by two deputy principals who began work at the school in the same week as this inspection.