Originally located in Purley from 1914, in 1936 it relocated to Placehouse Lane, Old Coulsdon, London Borough of Croydon.

This was because STOPP happened to be based in Croydon at the time, and managed to get the Local Education Authority to publish an analysis of statistics collated from school punishment books, the first time this had happened in the UK.

This resulted in Purley High School for Boys being mentioned in numerous articles in the national press regarding what was criticised as its excessive corporal punishment record.

[3][better source needed] The school motto was Fas et Patria, meaning Faith and Country.

The 1930s Placehouse Lane school buildings were completely demolished during 2010–2011 and have been replaced by new college facilities.