Originally founded in 1509, it was re-founded in 1567 under royal charter by Elizabeth I and moved to its present site in 1884. The solid, well-designed and well-equipped buildings make a compact campus of about 16 acres in the north-west outskirts of Blackburn. Its junior school is on the same site, with an early years section. There have been considerable developments over the years, including a sixth-form centre, ICT suites, new science laboratories and a digital modern languages laboratory. Girls were first admitted to the sixth form in 1976 and the school became fully co-educational in 2001. The school has high standards of teaching and very good examination results. Christian in emphasis, the school is inter-denominational in practice. There are close links with the cathedral. Sportsmark Gold Award with Distinction shows strength in sport and games; also strong in arts and music. Active commitment to community service.

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 785 day pupils (659 boys, 126 girls). Senior department 11-18, 641 pupils (534 boys, 107 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3-6, 7-11 and 16. Own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade B (including sixth-form subjects). Baseline testing on entry (NFER CATS). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 60% intake at 11 plus 20% to sixth form.

2 pa scholarships: 1 at 11 for top entrant (value 33% of fees); 1 Ogden Trust science scholarship for state school entrant to the sixth form (up to 100% of fees). Also means-tested bursaries at 11 and 16, value up to 40% of fees. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; maximum 500 extras.

Headmaster: Simon Corns, in post since 2007. Educated at Merchant Taylors', Crosby, and at Cambridge University. Previously Second Master at St Alban's School and Head of Languages at Arnold School. Teaching staff: 75 full time, 2 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 42.

GCSE: 91 pupils in fifth year: 95% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 5% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 60. A-levels: 61 in upper sixth: 43% passed in 4+ subjects; 52% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 334.

93% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (5% after a gap year). 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 30% in science and engineering, 6% in law, 35% in humanities and social sciences, 15% in other vocational subjects. Others typically go on to arts courses, into vocational training or directly into employment.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 26 subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; some take a further AS-level in upper sixth. General studies taught to all, AS and A-level additional options. 15% take science A-levels; 13% arts/humanities; 72% both (all sixth formers take a mix of arts and science AS-levels). Complementary studies unit compulsory in lower sixth, and integrated into sixth-form courses and activities. Vocational: Work experience available, in fourth year for all, in sixth form for many. Languages: French, German, Latin and Greek offered to GCSE and A-level; also Spanish GCSE. Regular exchanges (France and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100+ computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), networked and with email and internet access.

Music: Up to 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choral groups, orchestra, string quartet, wind band. Pupils involved in county students' orchestras and in cathedral choir. Drama: Drama within curriculum; GCSE, AS and A-level may be taken. Around 50 pupils involved in school productions; at least 2 major school drama/musical productions a year. Art and design: On average, 25-30 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Graphic design also offered.

Sport: PE, choice of seasonal games eg swimming, basketball, netball, soccer, rugby, tennis, golf, cricket. Fifth and sixth form only: weight training, skiing, ice skating, climbing. GCSE and A-level PE offered. International ice hockey player; former pupils include international junior athlete, world amateur golf champion, world croquet champion, professional cricketers and footballers; regular representatives in county teams at various sports; 3 times recent ISFA cup winners. Activities:à Community service encouraged. Up to 30 clubs, eg angling, art, chess, Christian Union, computer, dance, debating and public-speaking, drama, eco-school, geography, maths, model railway, modern languages, running, sailing, table tennis.

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster and school. Religion: Christian, inter-denominational. Religious worship actively encouraged. Social: Trips overseas include exchanges (France, Germany), educational visits (Normandy, Pompeii, Spain) and expeditions (eg USA). Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Pupils expected to adhere to school code. House points accumulated through a credit system for good effort, fine work and positive contributions to school life. Sanctions revolve around a weekly detention for serious misbehaviour.

Sir Kenneth Durham (Unilever); Brian Mercer (inventor); Russell Harty; Sir Netar Mallick (renal surgeon); Professor Keith Miller (Sheffield University); Ivor Bolton (conductor, Glyndebourne); James Johnson (Chairman, BMA); Gary Smith (film producer); Michael Winterbottom (film director); Wayne Hemingway (designer); Krishnan Guru-Murthy (TV presenter); James Beattie (footballer); Nick Dougherty (professional golfer).