The Rowan school is a small primary school which caters for pupils with complex speech, language and communication disorders. All current pupils have autistic spectrum conditions with associated behavioural and learning difficulties. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs. They attend the school from across the City of Sheffield, with a few from neighbouring local authorities. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium (additional funding provided by the government to support pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, children looked after by the local authority and children of military personnel) is broadly average. Most pupils are from White British heritage backgrounds. There are very few girls in the school. Pupils join the school at different times in their primary education. The headteacher is a National Leader in Education and four members of staff are Specialist Leaders in Education. The school is a National Teaching School and works in partnership with other mainstream and special schools and a university to provide initial and in-service teacher education relating to special educational needs.