The school opened in 1958 with 247 pupils. It became a comprehensive school in the mid-1970s with around 450 pupils, the first true comprehensive in South Kesteven. In 1990 a new library and sixth form centre was built, opened by John Harvey-Jones in 1991. A language and mathematics block was built in 1997, and a drama studio in 1998; the Duke of Gloucester opened the buildings on 28 April 1999. In 2005 a Business and Enterprise block was built. A new staff room was built, and in 2011 a new school reception, sixth form facilities, and conference centre were completed. A new sixth form block was completed in 2013, described by many of the pupils as having a pleasing "University Feel". The 2010 Ofsted report for the 2009 inspection rated the school as grade 1 "outstanding" overall. In 2013 the school also achieved grade 1 "outstanding" from Ofsted. In 2011 school head teacher Chris Beckett became one of 100 UK teachers selected by the National College for Schools Leadership as a National Leader of Education. The school converted to academy status on 1 February 2012. In 2015 a new science centre was built after the original science classrooms were knocked down. This year a new enterprise block is being built and is soon to be finished. The old block will be knocked down.
Teaching of foreign languages other than those provided within the main curriculum takes place after school and in night classes.
College system
Up until school year 2011/12, new pupils were allocated to a school house, in which they remained until year 11. There were eight houses in the school: Brunel, Cavell, Eliot, King, Lennon, Newton, Radcliffe and Tudor. These names were decided upon through collaboration between pupils and the school governors. Houses competed, particularly in the annual school sports day. As of September 2013, the school adopted a new college system. Every pupil – including those already at the school – is now placed into one of three colleges: Priory, Guthlac and Welland. These are names based on the history of the badge: the boat in it represents St. Guthlac's boat as he sailed down the River Welland. Priory is for the priory St. Guthlac then went to. Within each college there are 9 tutor groups, and as before intercollege competitions take place, although more frequently than before. Pupils now wear college personalised ties, with a stripe of the college colour. Each college has its own base and area within the school.
