The school is named after a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, John Henry Newman.

Its sixth form has over 150 places to offer students from both inside and outside the school.

This award has given the school funding to build and complete a new sixth form and science block extension, install a new computer and server network across the whole school, install brand new equipment including SMART Boards in many classrooms, purchase new equipment in many departments, especially in maths and science and the renovation of certain areas of the school site including the PE block.

Main areas for improvement included the ICT provision and the induction process of new students.

These areas and others, are currently being addressed and substantially improved with the help of funding and support from the feeder schools and the board of governors.