[3] The school caters to pupils aged 11–16, offering GCSE courses.

[4] The school is named after the artist Brian Clarke, painter and stained-glass designer, who was born in Oldham.

[5] The motto of the school is Luceat lux vestra, from Matthew 5:16: "let your light shine".

Planning permission for the purpose-built school building, designed by architectural practice FaulknerBrowns and to be constructed by construction company Willmott Dixon,[9] was granted in April 2021.

[2][10] The school officially opened the new building in summer 2023.