Following the growth of the estate, the school's roll grew rapidly into the 1970s, resulting in the extension of the site.

In March 2012,[3] the school announced its intentions to convert to academy status in collaboration with Suffolk New College.

This conversion was finalised during the following academic year, when the school was renamed Suffolk New Academy.

During the summer of 2014, the old 'G' block was demolished in preparation for the building work of a brand new school on the existing site.

Originally, it served Chantry, East Bergholt, Stoke, Copleston, Kesgrave, and numerous smaller schools, acting as an alternative to the already established Northgate Sixth Form centre.