The school is situated just off the Stockport Road (A626) on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, near the River Goyt.

The co-educational comprehensive school was originally Marple Hall County Grammar School, a grammar school, which was built in 1960 by Cheshire Education Committee alongside the demolished remains of Marple Hall, a manor house once owned by John Bradshaw who signed the death warrant of Charles I of England, and Charles Isherwood whose family also owned the house.

Following Mr Saville's retirement, the sixth form was closed in 1990 after the arrival of the new Head, Margaret Cuckson.

Miss Cuckson remained as Headteacher until 2004 when she was replaced by Mrs Lesley Calderbank and under whose tenure the school was in the news for having a year nine Maths class being taught by ten different teachers in two terms.

The school was again in the news in September 2015 after sending home up to 100 students for having incorrect uniforms.