The boys' section of the school was opened by South Glamorganshire MP Arthur John Williams, while the girls' section was opened by Lady Rachel Wyndham-Quinn, daughter of Lord Dynraven, who had donated land for the school.

Over the coming years various extensions and alterations were made to the school and individual classrooms to help accommodate growing pupil numbers.

The official opening ceremony of the new school took place on 26 September 1935 and was attended by Oliver Stanley, president of the Board of Education.

When the school opened The Glamorgan Gazette described it as having Heolgam expanded rapidly and an additional five classrooms were built in 1954.

The school is known for rugby union, and several former pupils have played for Wales and for the British and Irish Lions.

The school motto is in Welsh A fo ben bid bont which translates as "To be a leader, be a bridge".

The school holds a Remembrance Day service on or as close to 11 November every year during which the names of 87 former pupils who died in conflicts are read out.