Fairfield High School is a smaller-than-average-sized secondary school. The proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is much higher than average. The proportion supported at school action plus, or with a statement of special educational needs, is below the national average. The overall proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding for children looked after by the local authority, those eligible for free school meals and children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces) is almost double the national average. Around half of the students in the school are known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of students from minority ethnic groups and the proportion whose first language is not English are both around three times the national average. A much larger than usual number of students enters the school during the school year and/or part way through their secondary education. The school deprivation indicator (a measure of the social and economic deprivation in the area served by the school) is much higher than average. Previous plans to convert to an academy stalled, but plans to form a trust with a local academy and partner primary schools are well under way, with the intention of the school becoming an academy before January 2014. Elmfield Secondary School for the Deaf is located within the school premises. While this is a separate school, many of the students attend lessons at Fairfield. The school meets the government’s current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress.