It was founded circa 1610 and moved from the original school house at Barkhouse Hill to Ruff Lane in 1850.

The architect Sydney Smirke designed the original school room and school masters' house which is to the west of the main school building.

It was situated in the east of the town, towards the hospital.

The final intake of pupils who sat the 11 plus examination was in 1975.

Ormskirk Grammar School closed when the school amalgamated with Cross Hall High School, resulting in the formation of Ormskirk School in 2001 and was largely demolished to make way for housing in 2005 leaving only the original building on Ruff Lane which has now been converted into flats.