Previously a boys' school, Beckfoot Upper Heaton introduced girls starting in Year 7 in September 2016 and moved to new buildings in 2017.

[1] The school was founded in 1877 and was officially opened (including the girls' section) on 12 August 1879 by William Edward Forster, the local MP.

It moved to the present site in 1964, as a boys secondary grammar school.

Previously a community school administered by Bradford City Council, Belle Vue Boys' School converted to academy status in September 2015 and was renamed Beckfoot Upper Heaton.

The school is now sponsored by the Beckfoot Trust,[2] but continues to coordinate with Bradford City Council for admissions.