Chase High School is larger than the average-sized secondary school. Student numbers have increased since the last inspection. The school serves students in an area with four selective grammar schools. Chase High School is a Foundation Trust School in partnership with the King John School, Southend Local Authority and Middlesex University. This trust was founded in January 2010. The majority of students are of White British background. More than one in three students are from a minority ethnic background, while the proportion of those who speak English as an additional language is well above average. The proportion of students who join the school at non-standard times has been above average but has reduced in the last academic year as the school’s roll has become complete. The proportion of students for whom the school receives the pupil premium (additional government funding for certain groups, including those known to be eligible for free school meals or in the care of the local authority) is well above average. The proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs supported at school action is average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is well above the national average. The school manages a specially resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs for up to 10 students with visual and auditory disabilities. There are eight students from the school currently attending this provision on a part-time basis. Currently, 35 students attend alternative education on other sites to support their achievement in a range of applied and work-related studies, of whom 20 are full-time and 15 are part-time. They attend JJS, Catch 22, Eden, The Renown Centre, YMCA Community School, Rally Sport Mechanics Academy, Lancaster School, Kip McGrath, Ashingdon Heights Dog Kennels, The Westborough School and Earls Hall Junior School. In 2012, the last year for which results have been confirmed, the school met the government’s floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress. There have been significant changes to senior leadership and staffing since the last inspection. At the time of the last inspection the headteacher had been in post only a few days.