The School was founded specifically to meet the educational needs of the Catholic laity. The men who persuaded John Henry Newman to establish the school in 1859 had approached him as he was the most eminent Catholic educationalist of his generation. From the very first Cardinal Newman set out the broad patterns for the conduct of the school. He was insistent that the Headmaster and staff should demand academic rigour. The priest appointed as the Chaplain should be responsible for the faith of the pupils. Members of the laity should have charge of pastoral care of the pupils. For the Victorian age Newman's ideas, both theological and educational, were considered to be enlightened and forward looking. Just as his theological views were vindicated by the Second Vatican Council in recent years, so too his educational views were much in advance of their time.
Newman's considerations are still the driving force of the School. The Headmaster is insistent that each boy should be provided with an individual programme that gives the very best possible chance of reaching his own academic potential. The Chaplain is the parish priest to the school community. The boys live in Houses looked after by between three and five lay members of staff and their families.
In recent years an extensive programme of rebuilding and refurbishment has taken place. This has allowed the academic options to be expanded still further and also allowed the development of enviable new facilities for sport, music and drama.
