Although named for the nearby village of Apsley the school is actually situated about one mile away, in the Bennetts End district of the town.

In May 2012, Longdean was included in the Government's £2 billion Priority School Building Programme.

[1] Longdean's inclusion was based upon the condition of its existing buildings that have exceeded their 25-year life expectancy.

As a result, a completely new school building was constructed by Interserve/Kajima[2] on former playing fields and both the existing premises were demolished.

Longdean is a non-selective coeducational school within the state education system, accepting pupils from its catchment area of Bennetts End, Nash Mills, Leverstock Green and adjacent areas.