The college was founded in 1863 by a group of prominent local businessmen and industrialists, most of who were associated with the Queen Street Congregational Church.

Tettenhall Towers was built by Wolverhampton industrialist Colonel Thomas Thorneycroft as a house for him and his family.

The Towers Theatre was originally a ballroom and has springs under the floor to make it a better dancing surface.

The college's lower school building was completed in September 2000 and the science department in 2007.

Most boarders are international pupils or children of military personnel.