Burscough Priory Science College
Encyclopedia
Burscough Priory Science College is a specialist
Science College
, in Lancashire
, England
. It officially opened on 10 June 1958 as Burscough County Secondary School under the Headship of Brian Stone, and cost just over £120,000 to build. The then Edward Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby
(1918–1994) presided over the ceremony. At the time of opening, the school's staff of ten teachers looked after 222 pupils.
The school's motto (Out of Many, One), which is also the motto of the USA, was thought to be appropriate as the new school was created from several all-age schools from around the area.
Although small in size in comparison to other secondary comprehensive schools in West Lancashire
, the school has seen several expansions since its construction. As well as a ROSLA building being constructed in the early 1970s, the school was also extended in 1976. It then became known as Burscough Priory High School. During this time the roll expanded to over 800 pupils with the comprehensive
intake.
Brian Stone retired in July 1984 and Eric Cole took on the role of acting Headteacher for the autumn term in 1984 until the appointment of Roger Leighton as headteacher in January 1985. The school was later extended again with the construction of a Performing Arts
building, in response to the gaining of specialist
Science College
status.
The school has 720 students and caters for 11-16 year olds, with 90 members of staff.
, respectively.
No extensive refurbishment has taken place in the original part of the school. A gym
nasium was built during the 1970s, when the headteacher at that time, Brian Stone, had the option to build a swimming pool
or a gymnasium, opting for the latter. The back of school also saw an extension of classrooms during the 1970s and the front entrance saw some refurbishment during the summer of 2004.
As part of the school's continuing development in ICT, the first floor of the original building was redeveloped into ICT suites, alongside refurbishment of the school library into a Learning Resource Centre
.
increase from 15 to 16. As with many schools around the country, a ROSLA building was erected next the main school building, which is the first building seen upon entering the school premises.
Although intended to stand for only around 15 years, the ROSLA building is still standing after 35 years. It accommodates the Art
and History
departments, as well as a 5th year (Year 11) common room on the ground floor with a smaller secondary cafeteria adjoined to it. The upper floor has seen minor redecoration, as well as the exterior being painted during the summer of 2007. Refurbishment work to the exterior, including paneling and painting, occurred during summer 2008.
status in Science
. The Science and Performing Arts
building was completed and in use in the same month, with the official opening occurring 8 months later on 25 May 2005, being named after the original headteacher as The Brian Stone Centre. It accommodates the newly built Science Laboratories on the ground floor, as well as the upper floor Music & Performing Arts departments, comprising 2 large Music rooms, several practice rooms and a Drama
studio.
This building was built on the location which housed the aging portable cabin classrooms.
and Religious Studies
, as well as an unsatisfactory Design & Technology Department, mainly because of staffing problems. The Design and Technology department has seen refurbishment of all its subject rooms since 2004, with the Food Technology room last to be refurbished in this project, being completed in September 2006.
An investment in 2005 funded the construction of an ICT suite, the first general-purpose ICT room for the school, allowing any subject to book it for their own lessons. This has also provided the facilities to allow the school to teach ICT through all years across the school. Further investment into ICT was provided in summer 2008 when all ICT was centralised on the upper floor of the main building, meaning refurbished classrooms and a modernised Learning Resource Centre
replacing the aging library, dating back to when the school was constructed.
to have been chosen to receive solar panels worth £20000, half funded by the Co-op's £1m Green Energy for Schools Scheme. An LCD display in the school entrance displays the total energy generated by the panels since installation (including real-time generation) and also the amount of greenhouse gases which have been prevented from entering the atmosphere.
Specialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
Science College
Science College
Science Colleges were introduced in 2002 as part of the now defunct Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enabled secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, science and mathematics...
, in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It officially opened on 10 June 1958 as Burscough County Secondary School under the Headship of Brian Stone, and cost just over £120,000 to build. The then Edward Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby
Edward Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby
Edward John Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby MC , known as Lord Stanley from 1938 to 1948, was a British peer....
(1918–1994) presided over the ceremony. At the time of opening, the school's staff of ten teachers looked after 222 pupils.
The school's motto (Out of Many, One), which is also the motto of the USA, was thought to be appropriate as the new school was created from several all-age schools from around the area.
History
The school, when first built, occupied 13 acres (52,609.2 m²) of space, of which just over 8 acres (32,374.9 m²) was developed into playing fields and sport facilities. The school building comprised a two-storey building with 8 classrooms and 6 practical rooms, amongst changing rooms and hall. Originally the school was to be named Ormskirk Burscough County Secondary School, however protests by the people of Burscough were successful in having the "Ormskirk" dropped from the title. The original school was designed to educate a maximum of 300 students, however numbers had risen to 450 before any extensions where added.Although small in size in comparison to other secondary comprehensive schools in West Lancashire
West Lancashire
West Lancashire is a non-metropolitan district with the status of a borough in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Ormskirk. The other town in the borough is Skelmersdale....
, the school has seen several expansions since its construction. As well as a ROSLA building being constructed in the early 1970s, the school was also extended in 1976. It then became known as Burscough Priory High School. During this time the roll expanded to over 800 pupils with the comprehensive
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
intake.
Brian Stone retired in July 1984 and Eric Cole took on the role of acting Headteacher for the autumn term in 1984 until the appointment of Roger Leighton as headteacher in January 1985. The school was later extended again with the construction of a Performing Arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
building, in response to the gaining of specialist
Specialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
Science College
Science College
Science Colleges were introduced in 2002 as part of the now defunct Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enabled secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, science and mathematics...
status.
The school has 720 students and caters for 11-16 year olds, with 90 members of staff.
Buildings
The school's four buildings link to form a single school. The layout is split into two parts, with a glass corridor providing an indoor connection between parts.Main/original building
The original building is where the modern school entrance and main corridors are, including the classrooms on the upper floor. This was the original school until it was extended in 1972 and 1976 for the raising of school leaving age and for the comprehensive intakeComprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
, respectively.
No extensive refurbishment has taken place in the original part of the school. A gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium was built during the 1970s, when the headteacher at that time, Brian Stone, had the option to build a swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
or a gymnasium, opting for the latter. The back of school also saw an extension of classrooms during the 1970s and the front entrance saw some refurbishment during the summer of 2004.
As part of the school's continuing development in ICT, the first floor of the original building was redeveloped into ICT suites, alongside refurbishment of the school library into a Learning Resource Centre
Learning Resource Centre
Learning Resource Centre is a term which is used in the United Kingdom to describe a type of library that exists within an educational setting such as Secondary Schools, Further Education Colleges and Universities...
.
The ROSLA Building
In 1972, a law was passed to make the legal age at which a pupil could leave compulsory educationCompulsory education
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all persons.-Antiquity to Medieval Era:Although Plato's The Republic is credited with having popularized the concept of compulsory education in Western intellectual thought, every parent in Judea since Moses's Covenant with...
increase from 15 to 16. As with many schools around the country, a ROSLA building was erected next the main school building, which is the first building seen upon entering the school premises.
Although intended to stand for only around 15 years, the ROSLA building is still standing after 35 years. It accommodates the Art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
and History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
departments, as well as a 5th year (Year 11) common room on the ground floor with a smaller secondary cafeteria adjoined to it. The upper floor has seen minor redecoration, as well as the exterior being painted during the summer of 2007. Refurbishment work to the exterior, including paneling and painting, occurred during summer 2008.
Science and Performing Arts building
In September 2004, the school changed its name to become Burscough Priory Science College to reflect the gaining of specialist schoolSpecialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
status in Science
Science College
Science Colleges were introduced in 2002 as part of the now defunct Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enabled secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, science and mathematics...
. The Science and Performing Arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
building was completed and in use in the same month, with the official opening occurring 8 months later on 25 May 2005, being named after the original headteacher as The Brian Stone Centre. It accommodates the newly built Science Laboratories on the ground floor, as well as the upper floor Music & Performing Arts departments, comprising 2 large Music rooms, several practice rooms and a Drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
studio.
This building was built on the location which housed the aging portable cabin classrooms.
Recent investments
The school has seen heavy investments since 2004, which is still continuing. An Ofsted report in November 2004 slated the school for not providing sufficient teaching for ICTICT (education)
Information and communication technologies in education deal with the use of information and communication technologies within educational technology.-Purpose:...
and Religious Studies
Religious studies
Religious studies is the academic field of multi-disciplinary, secular study of religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.While theology attempts to...
, as well as an unsatisfactory Design & Technology Department, mainly because of staffing problems. The Design and Technology department has seen refurbishment of all its subject rooms since 2004, with the Food Technology room last to be refurbished in this project, being completed in September 2006.
An investment in 2005 funded the construction of an ICT suite, the first general-purpose ICT room for the school, allowing any subject to book it for their own lessons. This has also provided the facilities to allow the school to teach ICT through all years across the school. Further investment into ICT was provided in summer 2008 when all ICT was centralised on the upper floor of the main building, meaning refurbished classrooms and a modernised Learning Resource Centre
Learning Resource Centre
Learning Resource Centre is a term which is used in the United Kingdom to describe a type of library that exists within an educational setting such as Secondary Schools, Further Education Colleges and Universities...
replacing the aging library, dating back to when the school was constructed.
Solar Panels
In 2008, Burscough Priory was one of 100 schools through the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to have been chosen to receive solar panels worth £20000, half funded by the Co-op's £1m Green Energy for Schools Scheme. An LCD display in the school entrance displays the total energy generated by the panels since installation (including real-time generation) and also the amount of greenhouse gases which have been prevented from entering the atmosphere.
Headmasters
- 1958-1984: Brian Stone
- Brian Stone was the first Headteacher at the school, then called Burscough County Secondary School, having been head of the mathematics department at Huyton-with-Roby County Secondary School. He had a staff of 10 teachers and the total number of pupils on roll was 222. Stone retired in July 1984 after 26 years as headteacher, and has since died. The New Science and Performing arts building was officially named the "Brian Stone Centre" in memory of Brian.
- Stone served in the R.A.F. during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and also as a radar mechanic. He graduated with a B.Sc at Nottingham University, gaining his teaching diploma in 1951. He was 33 years old when appointed to the position of headteacher.- 1984-1985: Eric Cole (Acting Head)
- 1985-2009: Roger Leighton
- Roger Leighton became the second headteacher at Burscough Priory High School in January 1985, having overseen the school being awarded specialist statusSpecialist schoolThe specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
in ScienceScience CollegeScience Colleges were introduced in 2002 as part of the now defunct Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enabled secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, science and mathematics...
in June 2004 and once again changing its name to Burscough Priory Science College. Roger retired in the summer of 2009, having served as headteacher for 24 years.- 2009-2011: Douglas Bruce
- Doug Bruce joined the school in September 2009 as the third headteacher of Burscough Priory Science College, having served as deputy headteacher in the school from 1992-1999. He joined the school having come from Lathom High School as their headteacher. He entered the teaching profession in 1978 having studied English for his degree. Doug resigned in May 2011 after 20 months as headteacher due to ill health.
- 2011-: Trevor Edgar (Acting Head)