The Marlowe Academy is smaller than the average-sized secondary school. Most students are of White British heritage and fewer than in most schools speak English as an additional language. An above-average proportion of students are disabled or have special educational needs and are supported at school action and school action plus, or have a statement of special educational needs. The academy has an on-site (AIM) centre in a separate building providing behavioural support for students, and two centres in the main building providing communications and learning support. The academy receives no additional funding for these and no off-site provision is used. The proportion of students eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding for students known to be eligible for free school meals, looked after by the local authority or from a family with a parent in the armed forces) is well above that found nationally. The academy does not meet the government’s current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress. The academy was placed in special measures at its previous inspection in November 2011. This was because it was failing to give its students an acceptable standard of education and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the academy were not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement. Four subsequent monitoring inspections were led by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. There have been significant changes in staffing since the academy’s previous full inspection. The Principal joined at the start of this academic year.