Pupils who attend The Austen Academy have social communication needs associated with a diagnosis of autism. Typically, they have had poor experiences of school in the past. Staff work tirelessly to make pupils’ first days and weeks highly positive. As a result, pupils develop positive, respectful relationships with others, and they settle in quickly. Staff resolve bullying and unkind behaviour swiftly. Staff find out as much as possible about pupils’ needs and interests. They use this information to plan the curriculum. However, the lessons some pupils experience are not consistently well planned and sequenced to build on what they already know. Consequently, the quality of education pupils receive requires improvement. Many pupils have high anxiety. The start of the school day is organised well and helps to reduce this. Staff recognise the importance of meeting and greeting pupils. Milo, Rusa and Snoopy, the school dogs, have a calming effect. Staff skilfully develop pupils’ confidence, encouraging them to do things for themselves at every opportunity. Staff are acutely aware of the need for pupils to be able to lead independent lives in the future. Echoing the views of other parents, one told inspectors, ‘This school has been life changing for our child’.