The school used to comprise three schools. Lakenham Boys' and Lakenham Girls'
Secondary modern schools (East and West Site) were built in the 1950s. In 1958, the Hewett
Grammar School was built next to Hall Road (now the South Site) following its move from former Junior Technical School based at
Norwich City College. In 1970 all three schools were combined to form a comprehensive school, under headteacher
Walter Roy. In March 2015, the
Department for Education issued an Academy Order which forced the Hewett School to convert to
academy status. The order was issued after the school was deemed "inadequate" by an
Ofsted inspection and was placed in
special measures. However, 1,300 people signed a petition against the order. However, the school became an academy in September 2015 and is now sponsored by the
Inspiration Trust. On 26 November 2015, the school, along with the
Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, was evacuated due to a suspected
bomb threat. In April 2018, the school was rated "good" by Ofsted. In November 2018, centenarian former test cricketer
Eileen Ash opened a sports hall named in her honour at the school. ==Notable former pupils==