The school was founded in 1491 by a bequest of by the Warden of Sudbury College, the reverend William Wood, donating a building previously used as a farmhouse for the purpose and providing an income for a "good and honest man" to be the schoolmaster.

A new schoolroom and master's house were built to the design of Robert Philip Pope at a cost of £2,500, the Reverend John Cooke being the only staff member.

In 1909, control of the school passed from an independent trust to West Suffolk County Council.

In 1929, a playing field was acquired in Acton Lane and in 1939 a new building was started in the school playground, but was not completed until after the war.

[3] In December 1966, seven sixth form boys made a formal protest about the admission of Prince Charles to Trinity College, Cambridge, who they claimed had entered by a backdoor entry method.