In 1889 a new wing was built to accommodate around 70 boarding pupils, and in 1915 what is now Franchise House with adjoining land on Surrey Street, was purchased.

In 2006, the St Paul's building was extensively refurbished, providing a Drama Studio and four new classrooms for Religious Education.

The new St Mary's building was completed by the end of October 2006, and houses a Sixth Form centre, a cafeteria, a library and extensive language classrooms.

Mr John Pinnington became the first lay headmaster of the school in January 1997, as successor of Sister Mary Cluderay.

Following a long internal and public consultation, it was decided that the school would acquire Academy status on 1 March 2012.