[6] Previously a community school administered by Hertfordshire County Council, in February 2008, the school was given permission to explore becoming an academy, sponsored by West Herts College and the University of Hertfordshire (later the Meller Educational Trust).

The school reopened in September 2009 as Francis Combe Academy, specialising in English, art and media.

[10] The £25 million rebuild, which connects to the older building, features three storeys and houses Science, Languages, IT and Humanities (originally Maths).

Two new outdoor spaces, the MUGA (multi use sports and games area) and the Agora.

A new entrance foyer and a new art department focuses on open plan and collaborative working with no fixed walls between classrooms.