It was founded in 1910 as Barnstaple Grammar School,[2] and was the first secondary school to be built by Devon County Council, educating the youth of much of North Devon. The school's name was changed to The Park School in 1973 when the school became a comprehensive.
From 2002 to 2003 the school underwent extensive remodelling with a new maths and science building linking the old North and South Buildings, and a new food hall was also built whilst many of the old classrooms were redesigned and refurbished.
The school used to specialise in teaching technical subjects, including food, electronics, product design, graphics and textiles, and students were able to take small classes in these subjects.[citation needed]