St. Mary's College, Blackburn
Encyclopedia
St Mary's College on Shear Brow (B6233), Blackburn, 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...

 was established by the Marist Fathers in 1925. It is now a modern college institute for student
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...

s aged between 16 and 18. Most students are taking what is known in the UK as Advanced-Levels (A-Levels) or, if in the first year; Advanced, Subsidiary Levels (AS-Levels).

Grammar school

The college was founded as a Catholic Boys Grammar School by the Marist Fathers in 1925 and the former football ground of Blackburn Olympic F.C.
Blackburn Olympic F.C.
Blackburn Olympic F.C. was an English association football club based in Blackburn, Lancashire in the late 19th century. Although the club was only in existence for just over a decade, it is significant in the history of football in England as the first club from the north of the country and the...

 was subsequently acquired by the Fathers as a site on which to build the school. It became St Mary's College RC Grammar School.

Sixth form college

The Finley-Stokes Centre was opened in March 2005. The opening ceremony was performed by the Right Rev. Bishop Thomas Burns
Thomas Burns (bishop)
Right Reverend Thomas Matthew Burns, SM, BA, BD is a British Roman Catholic Bishop. On 16 October 2008 he was appointed as Bishop of Menevia by Pope Benedict XVI, becoming Bishop on 1 December 2008 when he took possession of his new See, on which day he ceased to be Bishop of the...

, a former teacher at the school. The building was named in honour of former principal Michael Finley, who retired in 2008, and former deputy principal Peter Stokes, who died in 2004.

A new science block was completed in August 2007, which was named 'The Graystone Science Centre'. Following this the new performing arts complex was completed and was officially opened in February 2008, the centre has been named the 'O'Neill Academy of Performing Arts' in honour of former college principal, Rev. Kevin O'Neill. The new Arts Centre has state-of-the-art theatrical devices, including retractable seating in a mulitipurpose room used for rehearsal and performances, as well as state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology. the building also includes several rehearsal and workshop spaces, a dance studio, as well as hosting a music room outfitted with the latest computer software, and a new recording studio.

On May 12th Alastair Campbell opened St. Mary’s new, dedicated Enterprise Centre. This £500,000 building has been funded by the No Limits Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) and supported by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Regenerate Pennine Lancashire. During the afternoon Alastair Campbell held a question and answer session with history and politics students of the College followed by a book signing session before the actual opening at 3.45pm.

Staff

  • Kevin McMahon - Principal
  • Frank Dixon - Deputy Principal
  • Jan Gedzielewski - Finance Director
  • Judith McHugh - Human Resources Director

Courses

  • 16-19 A-Level Courses
  • Degree Courses
  • Adult / Evening Courses
  • Enhancement Courses

St Mary's College RC Grammar School

  • Sir Gerald Barling QC
  • Thomas Burns (bishop)
    Thomas Burns (bishop)
    Right Reverend Thomas Matthew Burns, SM, BA, BD is a British Roman Catholic Bishop. On 16 October 2008 he was appointed as Bishop of Menevia by Pope Benedict XVI, becoming Bishop on 1 December 2008 when he took possession of his new See, on which day he ceased to be Bishop of the...

  • Mike Duxbury, footballer - Manchester United and England
  • Brian Miller (footballer)
    Brian Miller (footballer)
    Brian George Miller was a former professional footballer and England international who played as a wing back....

     - Burnley and England. Manager - Burnley FC
  • Greg Pope
    Greg Pope
    Gregory James "Greg" Pope is a former British Labour Party politician, who served as Member of Parliament for Hyndburn from 1992 until retiring at the 2010 general election. He was a government whip until the reshuffle following the 2001 general election.-Early life:He went to St Marys College R.C...

    , Labour MP for Hyndburn
    Hyndburn (UK Parliament constituency)
    Hyndburn is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:...

  • Sir John Skehel
    John Skehel
    Sir John James Skehel, FRS is a British virologist. He was born in Blackburn to Joseph and Annie Skehel in 1941, and was educated at St. Mary's College, Blackburn before being accepted to the University of Aberystwyth for a BSc in agricultural biochemistry.Soon after graduating he married Anita...

    , virologist

External links


Video clips

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