The school was proposed in May 1955 in a public notice issued by
Somerset County Council Education Committee, to eventually comply with the
Education Act 1944 which had required secondary education for all, which had previously been provided by "all age primaries" in the area. The new school, which was originally called Chew Magna Secondary School, opened on 13 January 1958, although the official opening by Sir James Turner, then president of the
National Farmers Union was on 23 May. The school transitioned from a secondary modern to a comprehensive school in 1971. In 2008, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. In the same year a wind turbine was installed at the school, and unveiled by the local
MP Dan Norris. The turbine was supported by the Go Zero campaign based in Chew Magna who have also supported a similar initiative in
Tamil Nadu,
India. In April 2009, ex head teacher Mark Mallett did a parachute jump from 10,000 feet above ground level in aid of a new Art and Sixth Form block which was completed in August that year. On 1 August 2010, Chew Valley School became a
foundation school. A letter to parents described the aims as "to use Foundation Status to help to raise standards and make a direct contribution to raising achievement and improve the well-being and aspirations of students." As part of the status change there was a legal transfer of land from the Local Authority to the School. In February 2018 Chew Valley School converted to
academy status. The school is now sponsored by the Lighthouse Schools Partnership. == Academic achievement ==