It was a week of frantic activity. The OFSTED inspectors were coming. The school had been on special measures for two years, so everyone was hoping they would pass this time. They did. Newham has a policy of inclusive education, so there are only two special schools in the inner-city borough. John F Kennedy has 43 pupils aged from two to 19, mostly with severe behavioural difficulties, and 12 teachers, five nursery nurses and 11 learning support assistants. The school has a sensory room where the light and sound can be controlled, and outside there is a sensory garden full of materials with different textures. In addition, all pupils use the pool and learn to help out in the kitchen where the older pupils cook their own dinner one day a week.

snaps by senior management team member MARION VANDOME.

* Back from the pool: nurse Sam Storey and Freddie O’Shea (three)

* Phew! Merryn Saraiva and acting head Gill Goldsmith recover

* Best foot forward:Ali Saleban (nine)

* What’s in store? Mohamed Hirsi with carrier

* Hamuza Kasujja (seven) tries the climbing frame

* Sobia Asif (nine) goes for a dip with Pauline McCarthy

* Pie-eyed: cooks Joan and Angie divide the portions