Over the years it has been suggested by politicians that Hautlieu should be converted to a sixth-form college and the 14+ system (which some regard as controversial) be abolished.

Hautlieu's four school houses; D'Auvergne, Dumaresq, Carteret and Millais, take their names from prominent figures in the History of Jersey.

In 2024, 91.7% of students passed at least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at grades 9-4 compared to the Jersey average of that year at 77.5%[4] Originally a boys-only school, Hautlieu’s primary purpose was to provide free education for “able” 11–18-year-old students whose families could not afford to send them to one of Jersey’s fee-paying schools.

[5] The school’s first head teacher, Charles Brown, also placed a great deal of emphasis on vocational pursuits to promote a ‘rounded education’ which led to the establishment of many extracurricular activities.

Improvements made between 1968 and 1972 included a new dining room, new sixth form and middle school blocks and better facilities for Art, Music, Geography and Science.