The Abbey School converted to become an academy in August 2011. When its predecessor school, of the same name, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good. The school is an average-sized secondary school with a small sixth form. It accepts students of all abilities in an area where there is selective education. The school provides specially resourced provision known as the Autism Centre for 32 students with special educational needs. The school meets the government’s current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress in secondary schools. The majority of students are of White British heritage. A small number of students come from minority ethnic groups. A very small proportion of students speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled students and those with special educational needs supported through school action is high. The proportion of students supported at school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs is also high. The proportion of students for whom the school receives the pupil premium (additional funding for students known to be eligible for free school meals, children in the care of the local authority and those from service families) is above average. Currently, there are 10 children in the care of the local authority and there are no service family children on the school roll. Over one third of students who did not achieve the expected level in reading and/or mathematics at the end of primary school are funded for the Year 7 catch-up programme. As part of the ‘Coastal Collaboration’, the school works in partnership with two universities, two local schools and a college. As a result, a small number of Key Stage 4 students attend off-site work-related courses in hair and beauty and construction, motor vehicle and outdoor education. Some students from the other schools attend The Abbey School for horticulture and catering courses. The school has a Business and Enterprise specialism.