Its catchment area covers the north of Beverley, Leconfield, Swinemoor and Molescroft and has a capacity of around 1,500 pupils, including the Sixth Form.

In 2001 it was accredited with the specialist status of a Performing Arts College (re-accredited in 2006 and 2009), which brought with it the funds to increase class-room space, develop a fully working theatre in the school hall and extend links to the wider community and feeder primary schools.

In more recent years, Longcroft acquired funding from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Football Foundation to build a new sports hall and all-weather pitch.

In his History of the Anglo-Saxons, Sir Francis Palgrave (1788–1861) wrote that King Athelstan, who had prayed at the tomb of St John of Beverley before success in a battle (937 AD), showed his gratitude by giving privileges to the town of Beverley, saying: "As free make I thee, as heart may think, or eye may see".

Founded and directed by Jonathan Chapman, the Longcroft Gospel Choir is well known in the local area, and regularly performs at parties, ceremonies, weddings and music concerts.