The Pines Special School educates boys and girls who have autism spectrum conditions. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. More than three quarters of the pupils are boys. Children can start in early years from three years old, although many pupils are older when they first join the school. In addition to primary classes, the school is now offering secondary education. There are currently pupils in Years 7 and 8. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for pupil premium funding is above the national average. Pupils are from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. Around one third of the pupils speak English as an additional language. The headteacher and deputy headteacher both took up post in September 2016. The assistant headteacher joined the school in April 2018. The school moved to its current site in September 2016. Since then, the school has Inspection report: The Pines Special School, 9–10 July 2019 Page 10 of 13 expanded rapidly in size. Many pupils do not live in the immediate vicinity of the school. The majority of pupils are transported to and from school by minibus. The school does not use any alternative provision. The school joined the Birmingham Special Schools Cooperative Trust in November 2018. The school continues to be maintained by Birmingham local authority. Strategic leadership is provided by the school’s own governing body.