Background: Located on the northern edge of the Cleveland Hills about nine miles south of Middlesbrough. It serves an area of approximately 300 square kilometres, mostly within North Yorkshire, but also attracts pupils from outside the catchment area, which has led to the school being over-subscribed. Founded in 1958, the school has an integral sixth form college and an integrated community education service.

Its excellent facilities include a well stocked library, new sixth form study area, computer rooms, modern science laboratories, on-site leisure centre and all weather pitch. The school offers a broad curriculum and a wide range of extra-curricular activities such as music, drama, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, sport, chess and a youth club. It has been awarded the Sportsmark Award for PE and school sport in partnership with the local community. The school aims to have 'respect for people, values and the environment'. It has 'high expectations of pupils' and 'works together with parents to help them achieve their full potential'. The school won the Schools Curriculum Award in 2000 and gained a DfEE School Achievement Award in 2001 and in 2002.

Alumni: Alan Milburn, politician; Louise Stuart, 1988 Olympic runner; James Helme, BBC Radio 4/5 producer; Andrew Gifford, artist, Villiers David prize finalist; Karen Smith, producer/researcher; David Jones, Sky sports journalist; Leigh Woolf, opera singer; Neil Wormald, Sunday Times gardening columnist.

Streaming/setting: Year 7 is taught in mixed ability groups. Departments choose a wide variety of groupings ranging from mixed ability and broad banding to setting as pupils move up the school.

Approach to discipline: This school has a code of conduct which provides a framework for encouraging mature and responsible behaviour. There is a clear system of sanctions which is used in a consistent way. A praise and reward policy and support systems are in place to monitor and motivate pupils.

Uniform: Navy-blue school sweatshirt, white shirt/blouse, black/navy-blue trousers/skirt, black shoes, black boots in winter only. 'All pupils wear the agreed school uniform.'

Homework: Average 11-year-old, five hours a week; 14-year-old, seven hours; 16-year-old, 10 hours or more.

Higher education: 93%

Vocational qualifications: GNVQ Advanced: Business; Health & Social Care. GNVQ Intermediate: Business; Health & Social Care.

Inspection: 5 - 6 February 2007: This larger than average school serves a market town and its rural environs, and also draws about a quarter of its students from an adjacent conurbation. Many students travel long distances to school. The number of students on roll is declining overall, due to local population changes, but sixth form numbers are stable. Although the area is mainly prosperous, there are pockets of significant disadvantage. Almost all students are of White British heritage, and small proportions of students have a traveller heritage, or are from minority ethnic groups. Very few speak English as an additional language. The proportion of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is smaller than that found nationally. The school is a specialist Technology College and hosts large scale community provision for adults and young people. It holds the Healthy Schools Award. Some of its accommodation is poor, but several new blocks have been built since the acquisition of specialist status, and a well appointed student support centre has been recently established.

How good the school is: Read the full report here.

By Train:

Nearest Mainline Station at Middlesbrough. The 29 and 80 Bus Routes come to Stokesley. (10 miles)

By Air :

Nearest Airport is Teesside, (16 miles)