It was founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham to provide for the education of 16 choristers for the chapel of New College, Oxford.
By the late 17th century, the vestry and song-room were refitted to accommodate new boys, marking the moment when the school started educating both choristers and non-choristers.
[1] The school's houses (Eagles, Lions, Wolves, and Hawks) were renamed in the early twenty-first century to commemorate four famous figures from New College's past.
There are also lunchtime and after-school activities sessions where boys can participate in various hobby and interest clubs.
Lunchtime activities are run every day apart from Wednesday and the after school programme operates on Monday–Friday evenings.