[2] Wise, head from 1990 until 2010, led a turnaround in the school's performance and began to implement the process of "Accelerated Learning" in 1997.

The main buildings now include two 'blocks', Inspire and Innovate, with classrooms focussing on English, Maths, Science and Languages, 'Imagine' (a design, craft, food and ICT block), two dining halls attached to Inspire and Innovate (known as Inspire Cafe and Innovate Cafe respectively), 'Investigate' focussing on Humanities, the 'Learning Plaza', which is a mixture of a social area frequented by Years 9 to 11 (formerly the Social Block) equipped with computers, conferencing facilities.

Additionally there is an Applied Learning Centre (formerly Music and Drama) where subjects such as construction and computer science are taught.

More recent additions to the school's architecture include the Advanced Learning Village (formerly Sixth Form Centre), built in 1996 to house A-Level students.

It features a large seating area, small café and the Independent Learning Centre, a room for self-study with computers.

Owned by Northumberland County Council and used by students for physical education, it houses a fitness suite, dance studio and tennis courts.

The school also uses a three-dimensional screen across the curriculum and the 'Biome' which was the result of a successful bid through the "Faraday" project designed to take the teaching of science into the 21st century.

The building also has a multipurpose space called 'The Hub' which is used for assemblies, conferences, socialising at lunchtimes and hosting live shows and performances for music and drama/performing arts.

Bowmer + Kirkland is the appointed contractor for the project, where they will demolish all existing blocks apart from the newer additions of the Junior Learning Village and Sporting Club buildings.

'The Hub', a fully functional music venue, features a sound and lighting control systems and a 3D projection installation.

[21][22][23] A monitoring inspection, the report of which was published in October 2016, removed the Special Measures status, allowing the school to once again recruit newly qualified teachers.