The original Harrogate College was a boys’ school in the 1880’s. Very quickly it became obvious that a girls’ school was needed to educate the sisters. This opened in 1893 and flourished (the boys’ school died), and in 1904 moved to the present purpose-built accommodation on the handsome Duchy of Lancaster Estate. In 1924 the Chapel was built – it had been the first St Mary’s Church in Low Harrogate, but was dismantled because of subsidence.

During the war years 1939-1945 the school was evacuated to Swinton Castle and the buildings used for MOD administration. Extensions making a science block, library and gymnasium were built from 1950. Major additions were the Sports Hall built in the 1980’s, a magnificent Art Room, and Highfield Prep School modified and extended recently. In 2004 we built a new floor above the science labs and made it a state-of-the-art Food Technology suite. In 2006-2007 the two parts of Design and Technology were brought together, comprising a spacious graphics studio and refitted workshop.

In addition, houses on each side of Clarence Drive were gradually acquired. These became four boarding houses, Bankfield Pre School, the Headmaster’s house, Music House, Bursar’s Office and D&T Studio, and Health Centre. The fifth boarding house is Tower House, five minutes walk from College and designed for Upper 6th girls who enjoy their increased independence before university. The grounds, playing field, tennis courts, houses and gardens occupy some 28 acres of the Duchy Estate.