Knowsley Park School is an average-sized secondary school. The proportion of students with disabilities or special educational needs is much higher than that found nationally. The proportion of disadvantaged students supported by pupil premium funding (additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those children that are looked after) is twice the national average. Most students are of White British heritage. Very few students are in the early stages of learning to speak English as an additional language. The school meets the government’s current floor standard, which sets out the minimum expectation for students’ attainment and progress. A small number of students from Year 10 and 11 attend courses away from the school site in English, mathematics and vocational subjects at Evolve, Skillbridge, SALT Merseyside, Molden Training, JMH and MV. In 2013, the school admitted a large number of students into Key Stage 4 from a local school which closed. The school works with a range of teaching school partners, Bishop Rawthorne Church of England Academy and Great Sankey High School, to ensure standards improve rapidly. It also has links with an outstanding sixth form college, Carmel College, to support smooth transition for students from Year 11 to Year 12. The school benefits from Endowment Trustees who support both the school and individuals by providing additional resources, sponsorship and funding for a range of activities before and after the school day. This includes a house in North Wales, Tan-y-Graig, which provides residential opportunities for students in the school.