Opened in 1970, the school provides education for nearby villages, including Kiveton Park, Harthill, Todwick, Wales, Thurcroft and South Anston. The school is situated in Kiveton Park, not in the small neighbouring village of Wales less than a mile away.
The school was invited to become an academy under new government policy in 2012.
Ofsted inspections
Since the commencement of Ofsted inspections in September 1993, the school has undergone six inspections:
Sponsored walk: every four years the school holds a sponsored walk with the intention of raising money for the school. Previous walks have contributed to the ongoing improvement of the school environment.
Full school formal assemblies: known as the 'Full School Squash' by pupils and staff, take place four times a year, at Easter, and Christmas, and at the beginning and end of the school year at which the school bell is rung by the youngest pupil/s. Every member of the school is expected to attend. At assemblies special guests are invited, news is given, certificates and awards are presented, and musical items often performed.
Houses and the Dragon: Busli (Blue), Mortain (Black), Rollo (White) and Warenne (Yellow). Busli is named after Roger de Busli and Warenne after William de Warenne, two of William the Conqueror's knights, Mortain after his half-brother, and Rollo was one of his ancestors. Each pupil is assigned a house when joining the school. Pupils are provided with sports kit in their specific house colours, to be worn in P.E. lessons and house sporting events. Houses compete in events such as football, rugby, tennis, cross country and netball, and non-sporting activities such as chess, drama and art. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the 'Dragon', a golden dragon statue in a glass case. The dragon is engraved with the year and winning house.
Rivalry: Historically, Wales High School has had a rivalry with the nearby Dinnington High School, particularly in sport.