Woodlands is a larger than the average-sized secondary school. The executive headteacher was appointed in November 2013. At the previous inspection in October 2013, the school was placed in special measures because it was failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education. Inspectors subsequently visited the school in January 2014 to monitor its progress. Most pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is well below the national average, as is the proportion who speak English as an additional language. The percentage of pupils who are eligible for the pupil premium is above average. This is additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and for the small number at this school who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported by school action is below the national average. The proportion with a statement of special educational needs or supported at school-action plus is above average. There is specially resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs. This is a local authority funded speech and language unit with provision for nine pupils. The pupils are taught in mainstream classes, supported by the special educational needs department. The school makes use of alternative provision for a number of individual pupils at JET Basildon; ITECH Basildon; Writtle College; South East Essex College, Basildon; and Prospects College, Canvey Island. The school has specialist status in the performing arts. In 2013, the school did not meet the government’s current floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for pupils’ progress and attainment. The school’s monitoring data indicate that it will meet the floor standard in 2014.