The school is much larger than the average-sized secondary school. Students join the school from over 100 primary schools covering a wide area. The proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding) is very low in comparison with national figures. The proportion of students from minority ethnic groups is average. Very few students speak English as an additional language. The proportions of students supported at school action, or school action plus, or with a statement of special educational needs are much lower than average. A small number of students study vocational courses off site for one day a week with employers such as Sure Start, Manchester United Academy and Alliance Learning. Around one fifth of students in the school’s large sixth form attended other schools for their 1116 education. The school meets the current government floor standards which set the minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress. The school holds numerous awards including the Cultural Diversity Award (Diamond), Investor in People, Dyslexia Mark and Careers Education Quality standard.