The school is situated between the A49 and the M6 on the southern edge of the Wigan borough, neighbouring St Helens.

The school was founded in 1588 as Ashton Grammar School by Robert Byrchall on land donated by wealthy local land owner William Gerrard.

The original building in Seneley Green is now Garswood Library.

(now known as Ashtonians AFC) entered the Lancashire Amateur Football League in 1951.

The school was administered by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council from April 1974.