The school, as it is now, a primary school, was opened on September 1st, 2001, although the building was constructed in 1951.

It was opened at that time as separate Infant and Junior Schools, and in 1973 the Margaret Coates Centre (at the time known as the Margaret Coates Unit) was added to educate children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (A.S.D.). In the year 2000 the governors of the two schools requested that the two schools be amalgamated into a single primary school, which happened on September 1st, 2001. In June 2004 the autistic children moved into a purpose-built Centre, physically linked to the school.

A Sure Start Children's Centre opened in September 2006. This is a great asset to both school and community, providing support for parents and children alike.

The school’s name was chosen due to its proximity to St. Martin’s Hospital. In the 19th Century this was the city’s work-house, and the school was built on the site of the gardens of the work-house. People who stayed the night at the workhouse had to spend the following morning working in the gardens, as payment, before they were allowed to leave.

The school occupies a very large and spacious site on the southern edge of the City of Bath. There are large playing fields, large playgrounds and the building itself has long corridors, and light, spacious rooms.

We work hard to ensure that our play areas are adventurous yet safe, as well as enjoyable. We have put a great deal of effort into providing adventure trails, and our latest drive is to increase the amount of shade.

The school is also the only school listed in the Pevsner Guides for Somerset, as an excellent example of post-war municipal architecture.