The Judd School was established in 1888, but the need for a secondary school to supplement Sir Andrew Judd's Grammar School, a private school (now called Tonbridge School) was acknowledged as early as 1870. It was revealed that only one in 200 of its students was the son of a Tonbridge tradesman, as was required in its endowment. Tonbridge School was founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judd, who made a fortune in the Muscovy fur trade during the 16th century. His endowment was left in the hands of the Skinners Company, who agreed to fund the establishment of a commercial school in Tonbridge in 1875. However, the Charity Commissioners – empowered by the 1869 Endowed Schools Act to govern the establishment of charitably funded schools – directed that the £20,000 provided by The Skinners' Company for this cause be taken to neighbouring Tunbridge Wells, where it was used to establish The Skinners' School in September 1887.