An official opening occurred in November, 2010 with Lord Winston, then Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, as guest speaker, lecturing a class about DNA and taking questions from the student council.

[3] The school is sponsored by Sheffield Hallam University,[4] but continues to coordinate with Derbyshire County Council for admissions.

Prior to relocation where the newer facility is three times the size, the school had a full quota of 133, and had a waiting list.

[11][12] Associate Principal Lindsey Burgin took over from Mark Cottingham in September 2022.She still serves the school as of current.

[citation needed] Shirebrook Academy offers GCSEs and BTECs as programmes of study for pupils.