Record keeping in the early days was non-existent[3] and the first reference to a School boat was to the four oared wherry Argo in 1838.

[6] The club is not selective; that is, it is open to all students: "All year groups at the school have the opportunity to row at the appropriate level for their physiological and physical development".

The club has been successful at international level, the athletes having represented their home countries and Great Britain at Olympic, World Championships, Under-23, University and Junior level, most recently being GB representation, winning a silver medal in the junior women's 8,[1][10] at the 2010 Coupe de la Jeunesse in Hazewinkel, Belgium; England in the 2010 Home International Regatta in Cork, Ireland;[1] the World Rowing Junior Championships[11] in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France in August 2009; the Coupe de la Jeunesse[12] in Cork, Ireland in 2008 and England representation at the Home International Regatta in 2006.

In addition to wide-ranging representation at the various north-eastern heads and regattas oarsmen and women of different ages are regularly entered in events further afield.

The 1st Eight rowed in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in 2008[17] for the first time in over 40 years.

The school achieved pre-qualification into the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup again in 2011, being knocked out by the Sophie Barat Schule.

There are also frequent trips to various events held on the Tideway in London, the Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre and Dorney Lake.