- Founded in 1525 by Thomas Horsley, the mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne, the school received royal foundation by Queen Elizabeth I and is the city’s oldest institution of learning. Five centuries on, the school’s modern facilities include a climbing wall and 25m swimming pool to complement its strong culture of learning.
- It was the Sunday Times Parent Power Independent Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence in the Northeast 2025.
- More than 170 clubs and activities are available to students, from silversmithing and fashion drawing, to Dungeons and Dragons, as well as more traditional sports and performing arts groups.
- There is an active PrideSoc and FemSoc, well-established debating, economics and medical societies, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and a large Combined Cadet Force (CCF). All students are expected to deliver public service.
- There are talks for families, and parents' conferences for pastoral and academic updates.
- Notable alumni include the former Bishop of London and Oxford Martyr Nicholas Ridley, the physician Thomas Addison, the broadcaster Brian Redhead, the journalist and pollster Peter Kellner and the triathlete Kate Waugh.
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