It was considered to be one of the best-performing state schools in England, leading results at both GCSE and A level in the area and consistently being rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted.

The school's original building dates from 1954,[3] when Britain was in the midst of a post-war school-building boom.

On 11 September 2015 a small fire broke out in the Cotswold house building, causing minor damage to the block.

[8] The school's catchment area includes the villages of Backwell, Yatton, Claverham, Cleeve and Kingston Seymour, although several hundred of the school's pupils come from locations outside of its official catchment area from locations such as Nailsea and Bristol.

All sixth form productions are fully organised by students and raise money for local charities.

[9] Run by a team of students, the station broadcasts live at lunchtimes with an automated system taking over at other times.