The school had its official opening ceremony, performed by Alderman J. W. Payne, the Chairman of the Isle of Ely Education Committee.

Guests at the opening ceremony were afterwards treated to a special tea provided by the governors of the school. The following days, members of the general public were invited to view the school buildings.

On September 1953 ‘Sir Harry Smith Secondary School’ opened to 360 students, replacing the National Boys School in Station Road and the National Girls School in West End. It was the first new school to be built in Cambridgeshire after the war.

Mr Irving Burgess was the first Headteacher of the school, until his retirement in December 1970.