The school provides for students with complex learning difficulties. A high proportion has challenging behaviour. The main categories of need are severe learning difficulty, profound and multiple learning difficulty and autistic spectrum condition. Many students have additional medical and special education needs. The school moved to new, purpose-built accommodation in April 2012. It shares its site with Bolton St Catherine’s Academy. The school shares several facilities, such as Reception and the restaurant. The headteacher and Chair of the Governing Body of the academy are members of the school’s governing body. Students enter Firwood High from a number of local authority special and mainstream schools. The local authority is responsible for placing students at the school. Most students are boys and are of White British heritage. The proportion of students known to be eligible for free school meals is higher than average and five students are in the care of the local authority. The school receives the additional government funding known as the pupil premium for these students. The school has achieved many awards and accreditations including, most recently, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Quality Standard awards for parental engagement (gold), cultural diversity (gold), and its Research Charter Mark.