The school was originally a private residence, built for John Symes of Poundsford in 1583.

Later in 1671, his son, William Symes, handed the property over to twelve trustees for conversion into a grammar school.

[1] It is also on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, where it is described as being in poor condition.

[4] The two-storey flint building has hamstone dressings, a tiled roof and brick chimney stacks.

[1] In the 18th century a staircase was added giving access to the adjacent Monmouth House which was built between 1770 and 1790.