The 5th year was started in 1961 for those pupils staying on beyond school leaving age (then 15) who were taking the GCE at O level.

The school received a "Requires Improvement" grading from Ofsted in 2019, and was scheduled to have another inspection some time in 2022, but this was postponed due to concerns over COVID-19.

The upper two years are part of the Sixth Form, which is based in a separate self-contained block on site, with lessons being done in the main school.

Originally a boiler room, it now houses a video editing suite, radio studio facility.

This is done by organising events at which small numbers of students (mainly Sixth Formers) can travel to a host school who puts on a programme of interest for a week or even up to half a term.