Beacon Hill is a large, purpose-built school which accepts pupils from the North Tyneside local authority area. A new headteacher and chair of the governing body have been appointed within the last 18 months. The school is based on two sites, one of which provides for the early years and primary- and secondary-aged pupils, based at Beacon Hill. The sixth form is located at a second site five miles away in Queen Alexandra College. The majority of children have an education, health and care plan. Those who do not Inspection report: Beacon Hill School, 5–6 December 2017 Page 8 of 11 are in the early years provision and their needs are currently being assessed. The majority of the pupils are boys of White British origin. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds and those who speak English as a second language is well below that found nationally. About a third of pupils are disadvantaged and supported by pupil premium funding. The school also receives the PE and sport premium for the primary school pupils, Year 7 literacy and numeracy catch-up funding and special educational needs funding. The school is a regional centre for training pupils for independent travel. The school provides an outreach service for sensory impairment and portage services on behalf of the local authority.