The college's roots date back to 1604, when the Free Grammar School of King James I was founded at the Chantry House in Henley.

The charity school, which was more vocational than academic, was endowed by Dame Elizabeth Periam in 1609.

The merger of the two led in 1987 to a newly incorporated tertiary college responsible to the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) for running its own affairs.

Among the sports on offer are rugby union, football, basketball, netball and rowing.

Since its foundation the college has more than doubled in size and its catchment area has extended to cover a large part of the Thames Valley.