Fountains High School is larger than the average special school and provides for a wide range of needs. Approximately half the students have moderate learning difficulties, a quarter have autistic spectrum disorders and one fifth have severe and complex learning needs. The school is federated with the feeder primary special school and is part of a local schools cooperative trust, which includes seven primary schools and a secondary school. There is one governing body and an executive headteacher for the two schools. Classes are organised by age and ability, with some further streaming of groups. Students who have severe learning difficulties or autism are generally educated together. There are more boys than girls, which is typical for this type of school. Almost all pupils are from a White British background, and speak English as their first language. A higher than average proportion of students are supported by the pupil premium, which is additional government funding to support certain groups of students such as those known to be eligible for free school meals. The school has recently developed a specialist class for autistic students with severe behavioural needs. No students are currently educated through alternative provision away from the school site.