The school admits students of all faiths, but Roman Catholic children take priority.

[3] St Cuthbert's Grammar School was opened in Westmorland Road, Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, on 16 August 1881, largely due to the efforts of Bishop James Chadwick and his successor Bishop John Bewick building upon the foundations of the Catholic Collegiate School established in 1870 in Eldon Square.

[citation needed] Shortly afterward the School moved to larger premises in Bath Lane in the centre of the city.

Part of the school (1922 Block – now demolished) was built directly over the Vallum (rear ditch) of Hadrian's Wall.

It was a direct grant grammar school until September 1977,[4] then began to take a comprehensive intake.