It had around 900 boys and girls in the 1960s, administered by the County Borough of Grimsby Education Committee.

The academy was officially opened by The Duchess of Cambridge on 5 March 2013; she was carrying out engagements in Grimsby on the day.

The sixth form was re-established under the headship of Nicholas O'Sullivan, who was in post from 2007 to 2011; his obituary noted that the sixth form had been created despite "the catchment of acute deprivation".

[7] Martin Vickers said that the school's catchment area "includes the East Marsh ward of Grimsby, which is ranked among the 20th poorest wards in the country by various socioeconomic indicators".

[8] In 2007, the school was described in research as one of a group of schools "facing exceptionally challenging circumstances", because of local levels of unemployment and the high proportion of adults in the area who had no qualifications.