As the name suggests, it was originally opened in the village of Aysgarth but was moved to Newton-le-Willows in 1890.

[2][3] The chapel was a new building too, but contained items from elsewhere, such as the pulpit which was originally from Easby Abbey near Richmond.

[4] Whilst the chapel on site is a listed building, the rest of the buildings remain unlisted due to a significant fire on site in 1933 which destroyed much of the school.

[10][12] The school's ethos is based on Christian values and principles, and as such, boarders are expected to attend services in the chapel on site for church services.

[13] The school's motto is Ex quercu non ex salice (Latin for of oak, not of willow), and former pupils are known as Aysgarthians.