The school was built in 1971 as the first purpose-built, co-educational, comprehensive school in Winchester to serve the new developments created by the new Teg Down, Weeke Manor, and Harestock estates.

[citation needed] The school is named after Henry Beaufort, who was Bishop of Winchester and three times Lord Chancellor.

[2] On 10 September 2020, three students were severely injured after the Stagecoach bus carrying them to school collided with a bridge it was too high to pass under.

Bus driver Martin Walker pleaded guilty to causing injury by dangerous driving.

[4] The largest of the school buildings, known as "Tower Block," housing the languages and humanities departments, started a refit in 2012.