Richmond Hill is about average in size for this type of school, but the number of pupils on roll is increasing steadily year on year. Some new building work to increase the size of the school is due to commence shortly. The great majority of pupils have severe learning difficulties, with about one pupil in ten experiencing very profound difficulties and challenging behaviour. These pupils are relatively new in this school, but their numbers are increasing. The proportion of pupils with autistic spectrum disorders is also increasing steadily, and is now approximately 60% of the school population. There are nearly three times as many boys as girls which is typical for this type of school. Most pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds, with Asian/Asian British - Pakistani pupils forming the largest group in the school, and Black/Black British African and White British forming the next two largest groups. Pupils from eight other ethnic groups form the rest of the school population and nearly 70% of the school speak English as an additional language, which is a much higher proportion than normally found. Around one third of the pupils are known to be eligible for free school meals, which is about twice the national average. The school has had National Healthy Schools status since 2004 and has recently been reawarded with Investors in Families.