Sections of the school were demolished and rebuilt, with planning permission approved on the condition that new sports pitches and a new changing area were created.

[3] The Farnley Academy shares a site with a centre for children with complex needs, the West SILC.

[11] In November 2019, Leeds City Council accused the school of off-rolling Year 11 students into an alternative provision which was also run by the GORSE Academies Trust.

[14] In February 2023, a three-day student protest was organised surrounding the school's toilet policies.

[15][16] The protest coincided with the teacher strikes organised by the National Education Union.