The school caters for primary-aged pupils with learning difficulties from across Staffordshire, particularly in the area around Newcastle-under-Lyme. Some pupils come from adjacent authorities. Almost all students have a statement of special educational needs for their moderate, severe, or profound and multiple learning difficulties. A growing number of pupils have autistic spectrum disorders and a few have additional visual, hearing or multi-sensory impairments. Six children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are undergoing assessment and as yet do not have a statement of educational needs. Pupils join the school at different times, not just in the Early Years Foundation Stage. A minority of pupils have additional behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. Most students are White British. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is very low, and no pupils speak English as an additional language. There are many more boys than girls. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the pupil premium (additional funding for certain groups, including students known to be eligible for free school meals and those looked after by the local authority) is above average. The school also receives primary school sport funding for its pupils.