Ysgol Bryn Castell, Bridgend is a maintained special school for pupils aged 7-19 years who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and a wide range of other needs including autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Currently, there are 147 pupils on roll at the school. This number changes frequently throughout the year, due to admissions made by the local authority. At just over 51%, the percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals is higher than the national average. Around 11% of pupils are looked after by a local authority (LAC). Less than 10% of pupils are from cultural backgrounds other than white British. No pupils are from homes where Welsh is the spoken language. Just under half of pupils have statements of special educational needs. Most pupils have experienced significant periods of disruption to their formal learning prior to their arrival at the school. Many join the school at times of personal crisis, often towards the end of their compulsory education, and at different points during the academic year. Many pupils receive multi-agency support outside of school to ensure their safety. As a result, there is considerable variation in pupils’ individual starting points, motivation and learning ability. The school’s motto is ‘together we can achieve’ and the school aims to encourage all pupils to return to education, take responsibility for their learning, and to become resilient, resourceful and reflective young people. The school has been on the existing site on Bryncethin Campus since 2015. It is colocated with The Bridge Alternative Provision and its Behaviour and Wellbeing Service. The headteacher has been in post for five years.