The school is smaller than the average sized secondary school and teaches students aged from 11 to 16 years of age. The proportion of students eligible for support through the pupil premium funding is much higher than average. The pupil premium is additional funding provided by the government to support students known to be eligible for free school meals and those in local authority care. The majority of students are from White British backgrounds. There are higher than average numbers of students with special educational needs supported by a statement of special educational needs or through school action plus, and average numbers of students supported through school action. The school houses specially resourced provision for students with special educational needs in the form of a local authority hearing impaired unit; currently this provides support for seven students drawn from the full age range of the school. The school makes alternative provision for a small number of Key Stage 4 students who attend Halesowen College and Black County Wheels for a day a week to study a vocational subject. The school works closely with three partner schools and benefits from sharing expertise and resources across the partnership. The partnership of schools intends to form itself into a multi academy trust in the future. The headteacher has been in post for two years and has appointed a new senior team and many new middle leaders during that time. He has made many significant changes since the last inspection. The school meets the government’s current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress.