[1] It first opened in 1940 and continues to serve the communities of St Helens, West Lancashire, Wigan and Kirkby to this day.

The oldest Ofsted record available is from 2004, and it shows that the school was inspected and received a good award.

In 2021, the school was inspected for the first time as an academy by Ofsted, and it continues to hold a good award.

[21][22][23] During this process, the Sixth Form was moved into temporary accommodation on one of the fields on the school's grounds.

This group offered musical tuition for guitar, piano, brass, percussion and woodwind in order to promote musicianship amongst its students.

The group participated in a regular 'Performance Evening' as well as charity music events, such as for Children in Need 2010.

In late 2022, the Senior Leadership Team at Rainford High enforced an existing requirement for pupil's skirts to be 'knee length', as per the uniform policy.

[29] The pupils at Rainford refused to follow this rule, and the SLT decided to give the chance for students and staff to come up with a compromise, which was implemented between November 2022 and February half-term.

[33] It was reported that the student body sent out invitations to a protest on the social media apps TikTok and Snapchat, on the next day, 22 February.

Videos on TikTok can be seen showing what looks like a sit-in, initially starting in the south block, before moving outside.

[32] In response to the protests, on 24 February, a St Helens Council spokesperson reported to the St Helens Star that "the council has been contacted by parents of pupils from Rainford High", and that they "have listened to their concerns" and are "working with the Academy to see how they can build relationships with the pupils, and in particular the girls.

[36][37] A video posted by the Liverpool Echo shows two individuals releasing a fire extinguisher, punching a computer monitor and spilling milk on the carpeted floor in an office inside of the school.

[40] A GoFundMe fundraiser was also created by members of the community to help raise money for the school.

[43] Detective Inspector Jimmy Rotheram commented that "Although two arrests have been made our officers are continuing to investigate this crime which has caused extensive damage to Rainford High School resulting in the premises not being able to open today.

It is suggested that the two youths involved caused approximately £130,000 worth of damage to the school buildings.