Harlington was established in 1974 and quickly established a strong reputation within Central Bedfordshire for academic outcomes and extra-curricular opportunities. As an Upper School it welcomes students from Year 9 through to Year 13. The majority of students join Harlington from Arnold Academy in Barton-le-Clay and Parkfields Academy in Toddington. The school serves many of the surrounding Bedfordshire villages near and around Harlington and the train station means easy transport links for staff and students from further afield.

Between October 2003 and April 2006, the school underwent a major building and refurbishment programme as part of the Mid-Bedfordshire PFI scheme and the new building was opened by HM Elizabeth II in November 2006. The school became an academy in March 2012.

In recent years Harlington was a founding member of the Pyramid Schools Trust, formed in June 2020 and as the sole Upper School, represents the final transitional point across the three tiers of education.

Helen Harris was appointed Headteacher in September 2020, following the retirement of Shawn Fell, after 18 years and is the school’s fourth Headteacher.