St Paul’s Way Trust School is an average-sized secondary school. In January 2011, the school moved into its new purpose-built building and opened its sixth form the following September. The school has a specialism in the visual arts and is also a Faraday Science School. The proportion of students from minority ethnic backgrounds and the proportion who speak English as an additional language are very high compared to national averages. More than four fifths of the students are Bangladeshi. The movement of students in and out of school at times other than the start of Year 7 is much higher than that seen nationally. A well above average proportion of students are eligible for the pupil premium which in this school provides additional funding for children in local authority care and students known to be eligible for free school meals. Approximately one fifth of Year 7 students are eligible for the catch-up premium which funds extra support to strengthen their literacy skills. The proportion of disabled students and those receiving support through school action is well above average, as is the proportion supported by school action plus or a statement of special educational needs. The most common needs relate to hearing impairment and behaviour, emotional and social difficulties. The school has a specially resourced provision for 17 deaf students with statements of special educational needs, which it calls a deaf support base. The school exceeds the government’s current floor standards, which set the mimimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress. The school uses alternative provision at City Gateway Free School. The school runs a breakfast club.