It opened in 2013 on the old site of South Chadderton School.

The school was given the green light in 2012 and opened in September 2013 with 50 Year 7 students.

In May 2016, Collective Spirit Free School had its first Ofsted inspection.

[1] Collective Spirit Free School came under heavy controversy because it was the first free school to be opened in the borough of Oldham.

[2] Local MP Jim McMahon pleaded for the school to be closed saying that students weren't being given an acceptable standard of education and that students felt unsafe due to bullying and fighting, also adding that the school didn't even have a library.