The Eleanor Smith School caters part time or full time for pupils with a range of complex behaviour, emotional and social difficulties. Most pupils have underlying complex medical needs including speech, language and communication difficulties and a few also have physical disabilities. Almost all pupils have a statement of special education needs. The Eleanor Smith School is on a split site. Primary-aged pupils and pupils in Year 7 attend the Plaistow site on a part-time placement for two or three days each week. These pupils also have a mainstream school place. However, a few of these pupils attend on a full-time basis because of their complex needs. Secondary-aged pupils in Years 8 to 11 attend the Beckton site. Pupils in Years 8 and 9 attend part time while pupils in Years 10 and 11 attend full time. The school has very few girls. About 50% of pupils are from a range of ethnic minority backgrounds and a few speak English as an additional language. Almost all pupils are supported by the pupil premium; this is much higher than average. This is additional government funding for children who are looked after or who are known to be eligible for free school meals. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 are offered an alternative vocational curriculum with outside providers such as Newham Alternative Provision (NAP) and Laings in Newham. All children in the early years attend part time.