Since the last inspection an executive headteacher and interim head of school have been appointed. The senior leadership team has been reorganised with new appointments and review of roles. An interim executive board (IEB) has been established. It has been agreed with the Department for Education that Stainburn School and Science College and Southfield Technology College will both close and reopen as one Academy under the sponsorship of William Howard Trust in September 2015. There is a joint sixth form for Stainburn and Southfield students, currently located on the Southfield site. The sixth form is also open to students who attended other schools for their 11−16 education. Stainburn is slightly smaller than the average-sized secondary school. It has a designated resource base for 10 students who have physical and/or medical difficulties. These students are fully integrated into classes and other activities in the main school. The proportions of students supported through school action and school action plus are below average. The proportion of students with statements of special educational needs is above average. The proportion of students for whom the pupil premium provides support is average. The pupil premium is additional funding provided to the school to support the education of students who are eligible for free school meals or looked after by the local authority. Very few students are from minority ethnic groups or speak English as an additional language. A few students attend alternative provision; one is at the West Cumbria Achievement Zone and five are at the Lakes Further Education College. School leaders are part of the Cumbria Association of System Leaders and the school actively participates in local partnerships, consortia and networks. The school is supported by a Local Leader of Education from St Benedict’s Catholic High School. The executive headteacher providing strategic leadership across Stainburn and Southfield Schools is headteacher at William Howard School. The school meets the current government floor standards which are minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress.