History
The school was founded in 1882 as a 'most desirable establishment for young ladies'.
It took boys from 1910, with the first Principal, Mr. Groene, stoutly refusing all approaches by the County Education Committee to incorporate the School into its education remit.
It has pursued its independent course ever since, despite a spell as a hospital annexe from 1917-18 and being strafed in 1941.
Although formerly an all boys' school, girls are now an integral part of the school from the Nursery up to Year 11.
For many years the school was family owned. In 2005, it was bought by Cognita, the education company chaired by Chris Woodhead, the first Chief Inspector of Schools. Cognita has over 45 schools in its portfolio and is the largest independent schools business in the UK
