It opened in September 2004 as part of a reorganisation of secondary education in Crawley, catering for just 370 pupils in years 7 and 8.

The school was opened by West Sussex County Council in early 2004 following a wholesale review of education provision in Crawley.

After more than twenty years of providing education in a three-tier structure of first and middle Schools, with pupils transferring to secondary school at age twelve, the council reverted to the more traditional two-tier structure.

Part of the plan for accommodating the larger number of pupils in secondary education in the town was to build a new school for the newly developed neighbourhood of Maidenbower.

The school continues to accept a new entry of pupils in each academic year, gradually increasing the provision offered.