The school is on the A161, next to Epworth Leisure Centre,[1] and is in the North Lincolnshire Local education authority.

The county architect recommended that the school open at the end of February 1961, but this would mean paying teachers for seven weeks.

Children from Owston Ferry and West Butterwick were transferred from the North Axholme school.

But at a subsequent meeting of the Scunthorpe Divisional Education Executive, which the Rural Dean did not attend, it was, instead, decided to name the school after John Wesley.

In late December 1960, Scunthorpe agreed to the South Axholme name, but were unhappy about the decision, as they wanted to celebrate the history of Epworth.

Pupils closer to Scunthorpe attend the John Leggott College after 16 years of age.