The school was officially opened in June 1977 by the then Bishop of St Albans, the Right Reverend Robert Runcie.

In January 2016, the school attracted attention from news media after warning that pupils without a packed lunch or £2.10 payment, would not be given a hot meal, but bread and butter only.

The decision came after the school reported having to reimburse catering company Caterlink for 100 unpaid meals in a single month.

The policy was not implemented after backlash from parents led to then head teacher Sue Lourensz apologising for "any offence" caused.

[3] In July 2018 Alban Church of England Academy shut its doors for the last time, after the decision was made to close the school due to the county reverting to the two-tier education system.