They were great hop growers and Richard Eggar was credited, in 1890, with the invention of the "rolling floor" to ease the drying process in the kilns.

Between 1640 - 1975 entrance to the Grammar School was largely based on the results of the eleven-plus examination.

Pupils from other schools were able to transfer to the Sixth Form at the Grammar School after their O-levels (GCSE) though many chose to go to the Technical Colleges in Petersfield, Winchester, Farnborough and Guildford.

The earlier, partly 18th century, building is still standing and was retained for use by Eggars in the 1970s and then Amery Hill School in the 1980s and has now been converted into flats.

In 2010, the cohort achieved a 93% 5 A*-C pass rate in GCSEs, with 73% gaining 5 A*-C including English and Mathematics.