The Rise School opened in September 2014 under the government’s free school programme. The school is part of a multi-academy trust, Ambitious About Autism Schools Trust. This is the school’s first full inspection. The school is registered for pupils aged four to 19 who have autistic spectrum disorder. There are currently 59 pupils on roll aged from four to 16, all of whom have a statement of educational need or an education, health and care plan. Almost all pupils are boys. A small minority of pupils are dual registered. Around half of the pupils are from a wide range of minority ethnic backgrounds, with roughly one in five speaking English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for additional pupil premium funding is above average. The school uses alternative placements for some pupils, including Springwest Academy, Inspection report: The Rise Free School, 6–7 June 2017 Page 9 of 12 with which it is co-located, Reach Academy, Capel Manor College and West Thames College. The school meets the requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish. The headteacher was appointed in September 2015, following a short period prior to this as part-time interim headteacher. The deputy headteacher was appointed in September 2016.