Since its inauguration, the school has gained a good reputation within the local communities of Littleborough, Rochdale and Wardle in which its students reside.

Despite problems with previous management in 2004, it has now made progress in the rebuilding of the infrastructure and education[citation needed], however was judged to be good in the most recent OFSTED report.

The school achieved Performing Arts status in 2003 which generated the standard additional financial resources due to schools with "specialist" status.

The school currently has four brass bands of different age groups, which have played at major venues such as the South Bank, Royal Festival Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall, as well as boasting performances at the Royal Albert Hall and several Televisual credits including an appearance in 'Brassed Off' and one on Blue Peter.

[5] The school converted to academy status on 1 September 2013 and formed The Watergrove Trust when Matthew Moss High School joined in 2019.