Opened in 1956,[1] it currently has around 1300 pupils, most of whom live in the local area and surrounding villages (e.g. Markyate, Southdown, Whitwell, Kimpton, Flamstead, Redbourn, Breachwood Green and Wheathampstead.)

At the beginning of 2011, Roundwood (along with Sir John Lawes School, the University of Hertfordshire, and Rothamsted Research) formed a charitable trust.

The school has a multimillion-pound sports centre, officially opened on 7 September 2011 by Mike Atherton.

Having replaced the grass pitches previously on the site, it is now used by Harpenden Colts FC as a training ground.

[4] At the beginning of the 2011 academic year, the school introduced a house system as an Olympic legacy.