[3] The school was founded in Shardlow Hall in a structure built in 1684 as a home for the Fosbrooke family.

"John" Corbett was already the headmaster of another boys' school on Kedleston road in Derby, obtained the hall.

The headmaster had earned a Soccer Blue for Oxford University and played for the Corinthians and once for England in 1906 against Wales.

Within three years Britain was at war with Germany and both the headmaster and the students were fundraising for wounded soldiers.

[6] The head, Mr. Corbett, went on to retire on hundreds of acres of land that he bought, some of which he gave to the state.