The school has a Christian foundation as the largest member of the Woodard Corporation, but accepts pupils of any religious background.

The school's name is in reference to the three ancient kings buried at Tynemouth Priory: Oswin, Osred II and Malcolm III.

The school grew considerably in size during the second half of the 20th century and began to admit girls to both the Kindergarten and the Sixth Form during that time.

The building houses a new sports hall, dance studio, drama workshop, indoor climbing centre, a music school with recording studio, a cafeteria and all-day coffee bar, new Sixth Form study centre and social space, a new library and classrooms for English learning support, French, Spanish and PE.

[5] The local authority, North Tyneside Council, strongly opposed the scheme and on 17 July 2013, issued a letter to the Secretary of State for Education asking that the decision be reconsidered.

Traditionally, pupils were assigned to a house depending on their area of home residence, however this practice has become more flexible in recent years.

The house names are all linked to the area that they represent: Barfleur was the name of Admiral Collingwood's ship in The Glorious First of June, and his statue stands in Tynemouth; Dunelm is Latin for Durham and so represents those from south of the river tyne; Hotspur refers to Harry Hotspur, a Newcastle medieval military hero.

The House Challenge Trophy takes place each year, with pupils competing in sporting, musical and general knowledge events.

The main vocal ensemble is the Capella Choir, open to all Senior School and Sixth Form students.

The annual rock and pop charity concert began in 2000, and the event sees several students auditioning to perform, from each year of the senior school.

The school's coastal location, together with its on-site facilities and access to nearby Prior's Park provide a range of opportunity for sport and recreation.

A number of activities take place at the school's Field Centre outpost at Alnham in the Northumberland National Park.

During his stay, he held a meeting at the house with British political and industrial leaders and addressed them on his plans for a unified Italy.