It provided a grammar school education to boys in the parishes of Ruabon and Erbistock.

Records show that Thomas Ednyfed (or Nevitt), a Welshman who had made his fortune as a draper in London, England became one of the first benefactors of the school.

The school originally stood at the top of Ysgoldy Hill, opposite the church, but in 1858 moved to a new site on the Penycae road between Mill Farm and Offa's Dyke.

The school's Welsh motto was Gorau Trysor Enw Da (English: The Best Treasure is a Good Name).

The site of the former boys' grammar school has been redeveloped for housing with some of the original buildings being conserved.