Built by contractors Laing O'Rourke to a design by Foster and Partners and Buro Happold, the academy's construction began in June 2005, and it opened to students in September 2007.

The academy houses approximately 2,200 students ranging from ages 11–19 and was built on the site of Deacon's School in Queen's Gardens, Dogsthorpe.

The academy initially offered the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to its sixth form students as an alternative to A-Levels, but abandoned it in 2009 due to the IB being not cost-effective for the small number of students who choose to do it.

An average day at the Academy starts at 8.45am and finishes at 3pm, but students may also attend after-school activities and additional lessons.

[6] The extra lessons can extend for a maximum of 2 hours after the end of the school day and are only scheduled for pupils in Key Stages 4 and 5.