During its long history the school has educated some famous names, most notably Samuel Johnson.

The Latin inscription beneath, "Deo, Patriae, Scholae", is broadly translated as "for God, Country, and School".

These included the great writer and lexicographer, Dr. Samuel Johnson (the buildings of the former grammar school bear his name), David Garrick, the actor, and Joseph Addison, the essayist and politician.

(The other houses are named after Roger de Clinton who founded a priory in Lichfield in the 12th century and Erasmus Darwin, who lived in the City for a number of years).

Maple Hayes was purchased by Staffordshire council in 1951 after being sold by the Worthington family and officially opened as a boarding school on 18 November 1953.

Boys would walk the 3.1 miles to King Edward VI school each day and board at Maple Hayes.

Academic challenge and care for the individual remain the twin guiding principles of the school today.