• The school is caring, therapeutic and aspirational, and aims to help young people become the best they can be in a safe and supportive environment.

• Will suit families seeking a therapeutic special school where emotional recovery, personal growth and appropriate qualifications all matter.

Admissions at The Secret Garden School are suitability led rather than conventional, and should appeal to families and professionals seeking a therapeutic independent special school for children and young people who need far more support than a mainstream setting can offer. The school should suit those looking for a careful blend of personal development, academic learning and emotional support.

Scholarships are beside the point here. The value lies in whether the school's therapeutic approach, staffing and routines are the right fit for a child whose needs are unlikely to be met in a conventional school.

The overall picture is nurturing, therapeutic and highly individualised, with the school openly describing a model that combines personal development, academics and specialist support for pupils aged 6 to 19. The current public inspection picture is also more reassuring than at many small specialist settings, with a Good profile visible in the latest published material.