[2] It was established in September 2000 by an amalgamation of five former local schools,[3] which was reflected by the two different sites of the academy previously .

The academy has since moved to a single site as part of a project to build new "World Class Facilities".

[5] An Ofsted inspection in 2017 stated Hertswood Academy was "inadequate" due to issues with "personal development, behaviour and welfare".

[3] Hertswood School gained specialist arts college status in 2005[9] and in 2009 The Ark Theatre Borehamwood was established on its upper site.

[12] A planning application was submitted in December 2014 for the new academy, temporary classrooms and the residential development on the Thrift Farm Lane site.

This was part of a schedule to move all students to the Cowley Hill site in December 2015 and open the new academy in September 2019.