The school is smaller than the average-size secondary school. The large majority of students at the school are from White British backgrounds and the proportion speaking English as an additional language is very small. The proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well above average. The proportion of students supported at school action, school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is much higher than the national average. The school has a technology specialism. Twenty two Key Stage 4 students attend off site provision at Sunderland College as part of their vocational programme, courses are provided in Engineering and Motor Vehicle. Students attend for up to two half-days per week and are taught in school for the rest of the time. Up to 15 students from other schools in the district attend the local authority curriculum access specialist provision that is located at Washington School. The school is federated with Thornhill School and has a single governing body. The schools work in partnership and have joint programmes to develop teaching and the curriculum. The school has a strong partnership with Sunderland College where many students progress for post 16 study. The school meets the government’s current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for students’ attainment and progress at the end of Key Stage 4.