It was opened in 1962 as Southway Comprehensive School, becoming a community college offering additional adult education in 1994.

[2] On 22 March 1993, four students died while kayaking in Lyme Bay on a school trip, led by instructors from a local activity centre.

Falling attendance was the main reason for this announcement; the school had around 500 pupils at this point, and only had an expected September intake of 50.

[13] The council still expected to provide an educational facility on the site of the college, and the refurbishment plan continued.

[14] After the start of the public consultation, the proposal was changed to mean the complete closure of the Southway school and the transferral of pupils to Sir John Hunt Community College, which would be enlarged to cope with the increased numbers.

[18] Despite opposition, the plans to close the school were agreed by Plymouth City Council in June,[18] and a formal notice of this decision was given the following month.

Immediately after the school's closure, the site became a temporary separate campus of the Sir John Hunt Community College.

No new pupils were admitted in this time, but the school remained open under the control of Sir John Hunt Community College while 250 current students completed their education up to GCSE level.

[9] While the final students were at the school, part of the campus began to be used as a training and development centre for Plymouth City Council.