The school is named in honour of the Bedford-born writer William Hale White (1831-1913), who used Mark Rutherford as a pseudonym.

In addition, the school offers a sixth form provision for pupils age 16 to 19 wishing to study courses such as A levels.

In June 2012, the school launched a consultation on the possibility of converting to an academy.

[1] In September, governors of the school voted to convert to academy status, which commenced on 1 January 2013.

[2] The school's catchment area covers Putnoe and Goldington, as well as some parts of Brickhill and Newnham.