The school takes students from the Alvaston, Boulton and Crewton areas of Derby.

[1] Previously a foundation school administered by Derby City Council, in February 2017, Noel-Baker Community School converted to academy status and was renamed Noel-Baker Academy.

The school was named after Olympic silver medallist, Derby South MP and Nobel Peace prize winner, Philip Noel-Baker.

The school's was inspected by Ofsted in 2018, with the judgement of Inadequate: Special Measures.

The new building was ready for the beginning of the school year in September 2012 at a cost of £34 million.