Founded in 1956 as a technical school and moving to its present location in 1962 it became a state grammar school in 1982. One of the largest remaining grammar schools in England, admission to the school is by selection at age 11 and currently there are over 1300 students with a mixed sixth form. The School’s motto is 'Faber est quisque suae fortunae' (every man is the maker of his own fortune) and the school colours are maroon and gold.