[3][4] Redcar Community College, initially a community school with a specialism in visual and performing arts, was awarded specialist status for Visual and Performing Arts in 2004.

[8] In June 2015, an Ofsted inspection found Redcar Academy to "require improvement".

In November 2015 the school began receiving support from Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT).

The school implemented OGAT's behaviour management policy, style of uniform, and appointed Angela Sweeten—previously of Outwood Academy Ripon—as headteacher.

[9][10] In June 2017, the school announced it would be sponsored by OGAT and reopen as "Outwood Academy Redcar" in September 2017.