[3] The school's main buildings and playing fields are located in the Lexden area of Colchester and there are around 950 pupils aged 11–18.

Revenue from other property was also granted, but this was later challenged in court during the reign of William III, and the arrangements were legally reconfirmed.

By 1750, under the stewardship of Philip Morant, these revenues were worth £45 per annum and provided scholarships for two boys to study at the University of Cambridge.

At this time there was very little secondary education in northern Essex, and difficulties were exacerbated through friction between the headmaster of the school and the town's Corporation.

The new buildings were designed by architects Newman, Jacques and Round and were opened by Lord Rosebery, the former Prime Minister, in May 1910.

Wanting the school to be distinct and recognisable, Shaw Jeffrey approached a tailor and asked what the most expensive dye was.

Following the launch of the Everyone's Invited website in 2020, allegations of misconduct were made by a former student of the school, which led to an inspection by Ofsted.

[3][6] The school has male and female boarders who mainly come from overseas (mostly from Hong Kong and parts of the European Union).

Between 1994 and 2004 the Government of Greece funded teaching of the subject in an effort to halt its decline in the United Kingdom state sector.

This was the result of a pupil-led campaign following a decision by the governors to cease teaching of the subject following financial difficulties caused by becoming a grant-maintained school.