Formerly Bellemoor School, Upper Shirley High opened under the new name in September 2008.

[2] The inspectors' report stated that "The school has made good progress since being subject to special measures following the last inspection in November 2004.

Under the inspirational leadership of the principal, the school has continued on its journey of improvement.

Student achievement has continued to rise in spite of the challenges presented by the move from a boys' to a mixed school".

Other partnerships include Johannesburg in South Africa and Gdańsk in Poland.