King Edward VI School was founded about 1550 and has occupied a number of sites in the town prior to moving to the current location in 1972.

In 1550 lands were given to provide funds for a "scole ther to be founded by the kinges Maiestie in the like manner as the school at Sherbourne".

The charter with Edward's seal is in the National Archives in Kew, together with documents and books from the early years of the school's existence.

Originally a grammar school for boys, who studied Greek, Latin and religious instruction, it has moved to various different sites in the town all of which are marked with plaques donated by the Old Burians' Association.

The Bury psalter which had survived from the Abbey of St Edmund is in the care of Suffolk County Council Archives.

On 4 February 1921 a memorial bearing the names of 32 old boys killed in the Great War was dedicated in the Cathedral at Bury St Edmunds.

[12] The Colleges, all named after Suffolk places with significant heritage, were Elveden, Hengrave, Ickworth, Kentwell, Melford and Wyken.

The Old Burians Charitable Trust, set up in 1997, provides financial support to current and former students for personal development projects.