An Ofsted report in October 2023 rated the school as "inadequate".[2]
History
The original school buildings came into use in 1941, and several additions and extensions have been added over the years. Specialist provision is available for all subjects. There are extensive playing fields, an all-weather pitch, two gymnasia, a Sports Hall, laboratory accommodation, Technology workshops, computing facilities, maths facilities and a School Library and Resource Centre.
The school won the National Literacy Trust's 2006/2007 Reading Connects School of the Year Competition,[3] The school was rated "Satisfactory" by Ofsted at that time.[4]
The school's librarian, Nikki Heath, was awarded the School Librarian of the Year Award by the School Library Association in May 2008.[5] On 4 December 2014, Nicky Morgan, secretary of state for education visited the school.
In November 2024, the school was reported to be requiring pupils with disabilities to wear sunflower lanyards as a sign of their disability, with refusal to do this 'based on defiance' being a cause for disciplinary action. The policy was criticised by parents, who claimed their children were being bullied as a result of having to publicly disclose their learning disabilities.[7][8][9]
