[5] The group who founded the school in 1585, included Sir Thomas Cokayne (1520-1592), (High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Lordship of the Town of Ashbourne) and Thomas Carter of the Middle Temple, London.

[6][7] Sir Thomas Cokayne, the principal founding benefactor, granted £4 a year out of his lands towards the maintenance of the school.

In 1973 QEGS merged with the Ashbourne County Secondary School on Old Derby Road.

[9] On 1 August 2011 it converted to Academy Status and became an Independent State School but still serves the same catchment area and has the same admissions procedures.

An extension to the sixth form centre has now been added which is now open to staff and pupils, including a new information technology suite.