[1] The school has several notable former pupils, including founding Beatles member John Lennon, music producer Guy Chambers and the architect Sir James Stirling.

In 1989, the school divested itself of its Aigburth and Morrison facilities, retaining only the original Calder House and Quarry Bank estates.

A new building to replace the Morrison wing was built within the existing school site.

The former Morrison site is now home to a Tesco superstore on Mather Avenue in Allerton.

In 2001, the school underwent a major refurbishment as part of a Private Finance Initiative scheme.