Situated on high ground that overlooks the valley westwards, the school site lies within the parish of Llanyrafon, with the Croesyceiliog By-Pass A4042 and headquarters of Gwent Police to the east, and the Afon Llwyd to the west.

Most pupils live in the areas of Croesyceiliog, Llanyrafon and Pontnewydd; however the Sixth Form attracts students from as far as parts of Newport and Pontypool.

Three of the prefabs remain as Welsh language classrooms and a fourth was rebuilt as a Youth Centre behind the Community College (now Music suite).

[3] In July 2017, plans were submitted for the "demolition of existing school buildings and erection of a new three storey 11-16 school building, the erection of a new two storey Sixth Form and sports block (D1 educational use), the construction of a new, floodlit artificial grass pitch (AGP), a new access junction, external play and sport areas, car parking, associated infrastructure and landscaping on the site".

[4] In March 2018, the plans were amended to not include a Sixth Form provision as a new post-16 education facility is to be constructed on land east of Cwmbran Centre, set to be opened by September 2020.

[5] The school came in for heavy criticism from the South Wales Argus and The Daily Telegraph after encouraging a teacher to not pursue action, after a coke can was dropped by a pupil and hit her on the head.