The school began with 30 poor girls who were taken in for four years to be trained in household matters as well as reading, writing and the church catechism.

[3] The school rented a building in London Street (later Greenwich High Road) and was closely associated with the Parish Church of St Alfege.

The old buildings in Point Hill were used as an annexe until 1963 when extensions were completed on the Old Dover Road site.

The new school was fully comprehensive with a target role of 1050 pupils including Sixth Form.

The school was awarded specialist status in September 2008 and specialised in the learning and teaching of mathematics and computing.