Pupils do not feel safe because classroom doors are locked. Some pupils told inspectors that the school feels like a ‘prison’. Leaders say that classroom doors are locked as a way of managing pupils’ behaviour. Staff do not have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. Pupils’ behaviour is poor. Pupils regularly swear and use inappropriate and derogatory language. This can include homophobic and racist terms. When this occurs, it is not addressed well by staff. Some pupils do not feel that bullying is dealt with well. Pupils join the school because they are at risk of permanent exclusion from their mainstream school, or because they have not attended that school for some time. However, staff do not do enough to improve pupils’ attendance. Too many pupils are regularly absent from school. The school’s curriculum is not ambitious. Staff do not have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils experience a disconnected series of lessons. Pupils are not supported to read well. The school’s curriculum does not support pupils to achieve well. Pupils do not learn about different faiths and cultures. This does not prepare them for life in modern Britain.