The original foundation dates from 1442. The first school building opened in 1837 and the school moved to its current, purpose-built site in 1986. This is a superb riverside setting near St Paul’s Cathedral, linked to the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern by the Millennium Bridge. The new buildings are outstandingly well equipped and comfortable in every respect, most recently a state-of-the-art theatre has been added. It has extensive playing fields at Grove Park. It aims to maintain its long tradition of providing a liberal education to a wide economic, social and ethnic cross-section of the community. The school is strictly non-denominational. A very high standard of academic excellence is aimed at and achieved; examination results are excellent. Almost all leavers go on to degree courses, large numbers to Oxbridge (also to medical schools: the study of medicine is a vigorous tradition). There is also a strong tradition of musical excellence (the choristers of the Temple Church and the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, are all pupils). Drama and art also flourish. Sport and games are compulsory and standards are high. There is a substantial commitment to local community schemes. There are a number of outreach initiatives to share good practice with schools in local boroughs. The school enjoys close links with the City of London Corporation and city life in general.