The school was founded in 1572 A quote from an 1857 directory:
Netherthorpe School.—Francis Rodes, by will, 29th of robert was here Elizabeth, left a yearly rent charge of £20 per annum, to be taken forth of his manor of Elmton; £8 thereof to the Grammar school, at Staveley Netherthorpe, £8 for two scholarships in St. John's, Cambridge, and £4 for the relief of soldiers who should be sent to the wars out of Staveley, Barlborough, and Elmton. Robert Sitwell, by will, 41st Elizabeth, gave a messuage in Killamarsh, on trust, to pay £6 yearly to the schoolmaster. Lord James Cavendish, 1742, left a rent charge of £6, issuing out of closes at Hollingwood, for the maintenance of the schoolmaster. In addition to these, the Rev. Francis Gisborne gave £10, to be invested in stock. The income of the various benefactions amounts to £29 per annum. All the sons of parishioners are considered as entitled to classical instruction; but the master makes his own charge for other branches.
The has two school anthems, Forty Years On and Gaudeamus igitur; both are sung in certain assemblies and at special school occasions. The school strongly believes in traditions and roots; the uniform today is similar to the one worn by the first students, though blazers are worn with the students' chosen house on and the Netherthorpe logo on the skirts. The original buildings, still intact after many years of use, are still actively used.
There is a Senior Debating Society that has run for ninety-nine years. The meetings of the society are held in the original listed part of the school, built in 1572 and affectionately known as 'the old school' by pupils. Netherthorpe School are the current holders of the Derbyshire Debating Trophy.
House System
The schools pupils are divided into three houses after the founders; these houses are Sitwell, Frecheville and De Rodes. Throughout the year, pupils compete in inter-house competitions to win the coveted Rose Bowl. A stained-glass window in 'the old school' features the crests of these houses in addition to the Cavendish coat of arms, a previous school house. However, the colour schemes of the De Rodes and Sitwell houses have changed. The Netherthorpe uniform also includes a blazer typically displaying the house badge; the only exception is a highly prestigious award, the Colours, which replaces the house crest with the school emblem. School Colours are awarded for dedication to and leadership within a particular area of the School for a period of 4 years..
Prefects
In the upper sixth form, there are Head Prefects, and respective deputy heads. They form part of the team of Senior Prefects, who have a gamut of roles and responsibilities, such as treasury, charity and international relations. They participate in the annual Boar's Head Carol, an English traditional carol sung at Queen's College, Oxford and Queens' College, Cambridge. Additionally, they manage the group of 50 School Prefects, who assist in lower school.
Academic performance
In 2011, the percentage of students attaining 5 or more higher-grade GCSE passes including English and Maths was 62.4%. A level results were similarly above average.
