[3][4] The school was founded on 18 January 1907 by Mrs Amy Gough, with two-day pupils and five boarders in Glenmore House in the village of Doseley near Wellington, Shropshire.

[citation needed] By 1937 the numbers had risen again and the following year plans were drawn up to convert the stables and other outbuildings into classrooms, music rooms and laboratories.

[8] Recent developments include the increased provision of ICT facilities, the refurbishment of the boarding accommodation and a new multi-fuel heating system for the school.

At the time of the Norman Conquest, the 'vill' formed part of the manor of Little Ness, which was given by William the Conqueror to his kinsman, Roger de Montgomery.

Adcote was divided up during the early part of the eighteenth century and was reunited by the controversial colonial figure – Clive of India.

In 1850 Robert Clive's great grandson, sold his land to Henry Dickenson, of Coalbrookdale, who was married to Deborah Darby.

Some local sources of inspiration for Adcote are thought to be Benthall Hall in Broseley and Madeley Court, the former home of the Darby family.

Its features include a Great hall with a Minstrels' gallery, William De Morgan tiled fireplaces and stained glass windows by Morris & Co., after cartoons by Walter Crane.

Alfred (1850–1925) was the final family link to Coalbrookdale: he was chairman of the company from 1886 until his death, and thus the Darby's long and illustrious history in the regional and national industrial revolution ended.

[15] In his memory in 2015, Adcote School opened the Maurice Darby Scholarships for five-day girls from Shropshire "able to display exceptional leadership skills", worth up to 100 per cent of fees.