It is one of the four oldest schools in Yorkshire, dating from 1139[1] and was refounded by King Edward VI in 1548.

Little documentation survives from its early years, and it was refounded in the reign of King Edward VI.

They were Atkinson (yellow), Lyon (blue), De Lacy (green) and King Edward (red).

Upon entry to the school boys were placed in classes 1A, 1B and 1C ordered by surname alphabetically.

The Grammar school had a tradition of playing Rugby Union and there were fields outside for this purpose, which were converted for cricket in the summer.

The following have been headmasters:[citation needed] The school is currently situated on a raised area near Ackworth Road in Pontefract, along Mill Hill Lane, southwest of the town centre and the A645/A639 crossroads.