In 2007, Rob Gibson (Headteacher at the time) was invited by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to consider a move to Academy status as the Lead (non-financial) sponsor in a hard federation, incorporating King Edmund Community School in Yate.

The two academies have since parted ways, and now operate under separate trusts.Rob Gibson became the Chief Executive Principal in 2009 of the Federation but left at the end of 2014.

Winterbourne Academy used to base its curriculum models upon the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.

The Academy has expanded since its inception, providing services such as a technology college, Arts Centre and Sixth Form.

[1] It hosts the most popular Sixth Form in the county, with children joining at the age of 16 from all of the other local secondary schools.