The money was first used for scholarships for one or two boys to attend an existing private school but, thanks to investment and donations from other local benefactors, nearly 100 children were benefiting from the charitable fund by the 1820s.

The dispute that ensued went on until 1872 when it was ruled that the Grammar School should not receive more than a quarter of the income from charities.

[clarification needed] The single building by "The Fairfield" (now recreational cricket ovals), which housed both schools, was completed in 1879 and opened in 1880.

The building had previously been occupied by The Tudor School which was closed by the local authority in 1986.

On 15 December 2003, a fire caused by a short circuit due to a leak in the roof burned down a large portion of the main building.

They are split into six houses – Bebbington (Red), Flavell (Yellow), Schofield (Blue), Watson (Green), Orford (Orange) and Nicolle (Purple).

Pupils in Years 7–9 study Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Religious Studies, Spanish, French, Latin, Design and Technology, Art, Computing, Music, Geography, History, PE and Drama.

Girls also take core PE lessons and have one period a week for PSHE and Citizenship.

From 2015 both rounds of tests were in Mathematics and English and the school added further priority to girls with pupil premium funding from its catchment area.