The grammar school was founded in 1688 under the will of Henry Siddall and had close connections with the Unitarian Chapel on Ringley Road, Stand, Whitefield.

The Committee purchased 7 acres (2.8 ha) of land on Church Lane, Whitefield, from the Earl of Derby and built a new school, which was opened on 6 September 1913 by Alderman J. R.

[7] The schools sits on an 8 hectares (19.8 acres) campus in a suburban residential area, adjoining the grounds of the local golf club and close to Philips Park, Prestwich.

In the summer of 2010, a new development in the centre of the building, Lobjoit Court, provided additional ICT facilities; there are now over 400 networked computers in the school.

In addition, pupils study at least one MFL (French) and a range of subjects including geography, history, RS, music, art, PE and DT.

In the summer term, there are boys and girls track and field athletics meetings, cricket and rounders matches, as well as badminton, gymnastics and dance.

[16] Non-sporting activities include art, maths, key board, Minecraft, philosophy, programming and robotics clubs.