The school was founded in 1820 as the Northern Congregational School at Silcoates House, for the board and education of the sons of Nonconformist clergy, and was situated close to Ossett and Horbury, each of which had unusually large Nonconformist populations.

Girls were admitted into the sixth form from 1976, with female boarders accommodated in the Coach House.

Silcoates School is made up of three separate, but closely linked, sections: a Senior School for boys and girls aged 11 to 19 (Year 7 to the Upper Sixth Form); a Junior School for boys and girls aged 4 to 11 (Year 1 to Year 6); and Pre-School for boys and girls aged 2 to 4.

There are four houses representing significant headmasters: The majority of pupils usually take a minimum of 9 GCSEs, and 4 AS and 3 A2-Levels in the Sixth Form, with many progressing on to degree level courses.

[citation needed] There is a wide and varied selection of subjects to choose from at GCSE and A Level, including some specialist and vocational programmes.