The school opened in September 2013 to students in Year 7 and this year expanded to include students in Years 7 and 8. The school is much smaller than other secondary schools. About a sixth of students are disabled or have special educational needs which is higher than the proportion found nationally. The school receives pupil premium funding, additional government funding to enhance the education of disadvantaged students, for nearly half the students in the school, an above average proportion. There are very few students from minority ethnic backgrounds and no students speak English as an additional language. The school draws students from a range of communities across Durham. Many students travel to school on buses. At the time of the inspection the headteacher was on a long-term absence. The deputy headteacher (academic) was appointed as acting headteacher six weeks before the inspection.