Founded in 1519, it occupies the original site in a very pretty small town (2000 inhabitants). The old school house (1519) is still in use as a boarding house. The five boys' boarding houses, and the one girls' boarding house have all been recently refurbished. These provide excellent accommodation. The School is well equipped with modern facilities, including the Design Centre which was completed in 1989. A new Physics and Computing building was opened in September 1994 and an astroturf built for September 1995.
A balanced, all-round education is provided within a strong Christian framework. The School worships in the Parish Church, St Mary's, and with the Sanatorium and a boarding house in the main street, is well integrated into the town community. There is a strong pastoral network in each of the boarding houses to provide care and encouragement.
Academic results are good; in 1995 an A-level pass rate of 96% was achieved, and some 90% of leavers go on to University or Colleges of Higher Education. The School provides a full boarding experience. The music, drama and art departments are very active. A good range and standard of games and sports (a number of representatives at County level) are pursued. There is an active CCF and an adventurous training programme as well as a thriving local Community Service scheme.
The Governors announced in March 1996 that the school will become fully co-educational in September 1997. The Sixth Form has been co-educational since 1972.
