All pupils have a statement of special educational needs for emotional, social and behavioural difficulties and have had significant interruptions to their education. Two thirds of the pupils, a much higher than average proportion, are known to be eligible for free school meals. These are in receipt of pupil premium, additional government funding for pupils known to eligible for free school meals, those from service families and those looked after by the local authority. All Year 7 pupils are in receipt of catch-up premium. The majority of pupils are from a White British background, and there is a slightly higher than average proportion from minority ethnic groups and an average proportion who are new to learning English. Since the previous inspection there have been many changes in senior leadership. A substantive headteacher was appointed in January 2012. There is an embryonic alternative provision programme, EOTAS, to support the education of persistent absentees from school. It is provided by the school and is supported by a teaching assistant. The programme includes visits to the local public library or pupils’ homes, several times a week and the delivery to pupils of the work set by teachers and individually planned programmes of part-time attendance to return to the school.