In 2000 a project group was established to plan a programme of consultation, including a range of feasibility studies.

The governors realised that a specifically Christian spiritual ethos in which other faith traditions were hosted within an Anglican framework was crucial to the overall purpose.

In September 2006 the school welcomed its fifth year of intake, and this meant students for the first time were entered for public examinations at key stage 4.

The uniform is a white shirt, black blazer with the new "NES" logo, and a purple tie, which has two stripes to represent the students' houses.

The form tutor is responsible for supporting the students in their care in all aspects of their school life – academic, social and personal.

They closely monitor their academic progress in the National Curriculum through teacher assessment data and their rewards and behaviour record through the school's online information management system.

The form tutor is the first point of contact for parents and students over any matter relating to school life and normally stays with their tutor group from year 7 to year 11 to ensure continuity of pastoral care and support throughout their school career.

He or she co-ordinates intervention programmes and ensures that the whole year group work together effectively and maintain high standards of behaviour.

This changed in September 2017 to King Junior (green), Romero (red), Pullinger (yellow) and Booth (blue) following a vote by students and staff of the respective houses.