Lancaster School is a secondary special school for students with statements of special educational needs for moderate, severe and profound multiple learning difficulties. Some also have autism. Most join the school at the beginning of Key Stage 4, but a few join the sixth form from other local special schools. Most students are currently in the sixth form. The majority of pupils are White British and speak English as their first language. They travel to school from Southend-on-Sea and the neighbouring local authority of Essex. Some pupils attend a local secondary school, Chase High School for course work. A high number of students are supported by the pupil premium, which is extra government funding for particular groups of students. In this school the funding currently applies to students who are looked after by the local authority and those known to be eligible to free school meals.