The school has created a highly successful ethos that supports pupils to focus on their learning. It has high expectations for pupils’ achievement. From their different starting points, pupils achieve well. They are enthused by the enriching activities that the school provides. As part of their work on citizenship, pupils contribute by litter picking and reading with residents in a local care home. Such opportunities significantly enhance pupils’ experience of, and contribution to, the wider world. The school helps pupils to be ready for their future lives. Most pupils have found their previous experiences of education difficult. Many have been without education for some time. At The Willows, pupils re-engage well with learning the ambitious curriculum that the school has designed for them. Staff create a caring environment in which pupils begin to flourish. The carefully developed transition programme is impressive. Pupils quickly integrate into the school. They want to attend school and attendance levels are high. Staff build trusting relationships that help pupils settle into school routines. The school supports pupils to behave well. Pupils rise to these expectations most of the time. When pupils find things more difficult, expert staff support them to regulate their emotions and get back on track quickly.