The school was awarded the ‘Artsmark Gold’ by Arts Council England,[1] and a new ICT facility was completed during the summer holidays of 2008.

The extra funding available was used to enhance and upgrade facilities for these subjects including setting up a state-of-the-art’ Multimedia Studio.

The report praised "the outstanding leadership of its headteacher" and wrote "This is a good school which has improved rapidly.

"[3] In 2011 the school progressed to 61.5% of students achieving at least 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C, including English and Maths.

[5] Despite a ferocious 'Why Waste Wakeman' campaign by staff, students, parents, governors and the wider community[6][7][8][9] the school formally closed on 19 July 2013.