Pupils are met each day by staff who know them well and support them into school. Staff forge positive and trusting relationships with pupils. This helps pupils to feel safe. The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils’ confidence, resilience and independence grow as they move through the school. They achieve well from their individual starting points. Pupils play happily together in the playground, and they eat sensibly together in the dining hall. They are respectful to each other and towards adults. Pupils behave well during lessons and when moving around the school. Staff are well trained to respond calmly to some pupils who may be in crisis. Staff use the school’s behaviour systems effectively in order to address any incidents of inappropriate behaviour. Pupils’ behaviour improves over time. Pupils enjoy taking part in sports, such as swimming in the on-site pool and football. They recently participated in a table-top cricket competition. Pupils spoke positively about their visits to an art gallery and a zoo. They enjoy learning outside in the woodland area on the school site. Pupils value opportunities to take on responsibilities, such as being school councillors. They learn to help others. For example, pupils raise money for charities through the ‘Birches Bake Off’ event.