St Mark’s Church of England School is very small compared to other secondary schools. The majority of students are of White British heritage. The proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional funding for looked after children, students known to be eligible for free school meals and those with a parent or carer in the armed services) is above average. The proportion of students who have special educational needs supported through school action is just above average. The proportion of students supported at school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs is above average. A very small number of students attend an off-site provision called The Link. The school meets the government’s current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress. The school is part of a collaborative federation with St Gregory’s Catholic College and there is an executive headteacher who oversees both schools. A small number of students attend courses part time at St Gregory’s Catholic College. The school has been entering students in examinations for half their GCSE options at the end of Year 10 and the other half at the end of Year 11. There has also been an opportunity for different groups of Key Stage 4 students to take GCSE examinations in mathematics and English at different points during the course. Students embarking on GCSE courses from September 2013 will do a two year linear course in all of their subjects.