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St. Mary's College, Crosby

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Coordinates: 53°29′18″N 3°01′27″W / 53.488335°N 3.024051°W / 53.488335; -3.024051
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St. Mary's College
Address
Map
Everest Road
Crosby

Liverpool
,
Merseyside
,
L23 5TW

England
Coordinates53°29′18″N 3°01′27″W / 53.488335°N 3.024051°W / 53.488335; -3.024051
Information
TypePrivate day school
Motto"Fidem vita fateri"
(Latin: Show your faith by the way you live)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Patron saint(s)Blessed Virgin Mary
Established1919
Local authoritySefton
Chair of GovernorsMrs S Ward
PrincipalMr M A Kennedy
ChaplainMiss A M Engelbrecht
Staff56 (2023)
Teaching staff115 (2023)
Employees171 (2023)
GenderCoeducational
Age range0-18
Enrolment824 (2025)
Colour(s)   
Websitewww.stmarys.ac

St. Mary's College is an independent Roman Catholic coeducational day school in Crosby, Merseyside, about 7 miles (11 km) north of Liverpool. It comprises an early years department "Bright Sparks" (age 0-4), preparatory school known as "The Mount" (age 4-11) and secondary school with a 6th Form (age 11-18). It was formerly a direct grant grammar school for boys, founded and controlled by the Christian Brothers order. Notable alumni include Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Birt, Roger McGough, Tony Booth and Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

Founding and affiliation

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The college was established as a boys' school in 1919 by the Irish Christian Brothers, a clerical order founded by Blessed Edmund Rice in the early nineteenth century.

The college became a direct grant grammar school in 1946[1] as a result of the Education Act 1944. Post-war alumni describe "a heavy emphasis on rote learning and testing, underpinned by the brutal punishment that the Christian Brothers favoured",[2] "the carrot-and-stick method—without the carrot",[3] "a hard, disciplined education ...generous with the strap".[4] "But it wasn't a bad school; they took working-class Catholic boys, gave them an education and got them to university,"[5] "the school was good, and still is",[4] and "the sixth form at St. Mary's was an altogether different experience".[2] An article was published in The Guardian in 1998 surrounding alleged sexual abuse at the college. 10 years on the school have yet to make a statement on these allegations.[6]

When direct grants were abolished by the 1974–79 Labour government, St. Mary's became a private school[7] and is a member of the HMC. It began teaching girls in the sixth form in 1983 and became fully co-educational in 1989. The college is now administered by laypersons, ceasing to be a Christian Brothers' school in January 2006 on becoming an independent charity (St Mary's College Crosby Trust Limited) that "exists to educate children and welcomes families from all faiths".[8]

Location and buildings

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St. Mary's College is based in Crosby, a suburb of Liverpool, in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton. The college originally comprised a mansion, Claremont House,[9] on Liverpool Road, Crosby and the neighbouring property, Everest House, until the purpose-built school was built on Everest Road in 1924. Science blocks were added over the years and an assembly hall in 1978. Claremont House is now occupied by the early years department. The Mount preparatory school is located a short distance away in Blundellsands.[10]

The college has its own gym in the main school building.[11] A sports hall, formerly the Mecca Bingo Hall on Liverpool Road. There are seven laboratories, a D&T workshop and a multi-purpose library and learning centre with computers and additional resources for education.[12] In 2004 a new sixth form centre was built, consisting of a new common room (including a cafe and vending machines) and three computer rooms. Until 1987, the college had a smoking room for the use of sixth form pupils who were smokers.

The Games Field, Blundell Park, is 20 acres (81,000 m2) of playing fields nearby on Little Crosby Road; it is used for all year round sporting activities by all three stages of the college.[13] The games field is also used to house the college's Proms in the Park summer concerts, which is described as one of the most ambitious events staged by any school.[14][15]

Academics and Extra-curricular

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Academics

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Exam results consistently exceed national averages achieved by state-funded schools, in 2024, it was ranked as the top performing secondary school in Sefton.[16][17][18]

Extra-curricular

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St. Mary's College offers over 40 extra-curricular activities which range from further academic studies, to sport, music and drama.[19]

Sport

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Alongside timetabled sports, pupils have the opportunity to take part in extra sessions of training, which often include coaching by alumni professional athletes as well as external specialists.[20][21][22] The sports on offer include:

Boys
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  • Winter: Rugby, Football, Cross-Country, Basketball, Hockey, Swimming, Badminton and Fitness
  • Summer: Cricket, Tennis, Athletics and Golf
Girls
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  • Winter: Netball, Football, Swimming, Dance and Cross-Country
  • Summer: Cricket, Athletics, Tennis, Golf and Rounders[23]

Music

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The music department at St. Mary's offers music lessons to all pupils at the college. All pupils also have the opportunity to join either the Junior Band, Lower School Orchestra, or Junior Choir, before progressing to the Symphonic Wind Band, Symphony Orchestra, Stage Band, or Senior Choir, which are the main senior ensembles. There is also a range of smaller ensembles, such as the Pit Band (for drama productions), Trombone Choir, a cappella choirs, and String Quartets. Over 150 pupils from across the Mount and the college sit ABRSM graded exams every year.[24] St. Mary's College musical ensembles perform a minimum of three concerts per academic year. They perform in the St. Mary's College Festival of Music, in the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, at the annual Prize Giving ceremony in the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, the fireworks extravaganza, Proms in the Park and the Traditional Carol Concert.[25][26][27]

Combined Cadet Force and Duke of Edinburgh

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The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is an opportunity given to pupils in year 9 upwards and aims to develop personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline in the pupils. The St. Mary's College CCF contingent contains two sections: Army (affiliated to the Parachute Regiment) and RAF (affiliated to RAF Shawbury). Within the CCF, pupils are given the chance to: complete Adventure Training, go Air Experience Flying, complete leadership qualifications, and visit military bases to gain an insight into life in the military.[28][29] The CCF also encourages the cadets to get involved with externally run camps, courses and awards, such as Junior Cadet Instructor Course, Senior Cadet Instructor Course, Flying and Glider Scholarship, and Lord-Lieutenant's Cadet.[30][31]

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is offered to all pupils from year 9 to 13.[32]

Drama

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The drama department provides regular productions, which range from musical theatre productions to Greek tragedies. Most recently, there was the production of Hippolytus, which was performed in the Capstone Theatre in Liverpool. Other productions include: Bugsy Malone, West Side Story, Oliver!, Antigone and Trojan Women.[33]

The school song

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The former School Song,[34] composed in the 1920s by music master Frederick R. Boraston (1878–1954) was sung by former pupils, most notably at the annual Speech Day, which were once held at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall.

List of Head-teachers and Head-pupils

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Head-teachers

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  • Brother M.E. Delaney (Was Headmaster at least 1938-1941. Liverpool Daily Post p7, 30/6/38, Liverpool Evening Express, p. 1 25/01/41)
  • Brother Thompson
  • Brother Thomas Constantine Coleman (d. 2015)
  • Brother Gibbons
  • Brother C.E. Francis (Was Headmaster in 1957 (Liverpool Echo, 18 November 1957, Page 64. Article on Robert Hindle, a boy who had gone missing after attending at Francis' office for punishment. Was still Headmaster in 1963 (4/2/63 Liverpool Echo))
  • Brother Taylor
  • Brother O'Halloran (1972-1987)
  • Brother Ryan (1987-1990)
  • Wilfred Hammond (1990-2003)
  • Jean Marsh (2003-2008)
  • Michael Kennedy (2008–present)

Head-pupils

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The head boy and girl are the highest leadership roles for pupils at St. Mary's College. As the most senior prefects, they are responsible for overseeing the rest of the prefect team, as well as advocating for the school's entire student body. They represent the school at public events by make speeches, while being a role model to all pupils.[35][36]

Notable former teachers

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Notable alumni

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See also: Category:People educated at St Mary's College, Crosby

Politics and industry

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Diplomats and the law

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Clergy

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Authors, journalists and broadcasters

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Educationists

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  • D.F. Swift - educationist, sociologist[53]

Entertainers

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Artists

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  • James Patten (b. 1946) - composer[57]
  • Pete Lyon (b. 1950) - computer graphics games design pioneer
  • Trevor Newton (1959-2023) - buildings artist and antique dealer[58]

Sportsmen and women

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Others

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Alumni association

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See also: St Mary's Old Boys' Club, Crosby
St. Mary's Old Boys' Club pictured shortly after its closure by Sefton Council in April 2010

The college had an alumni association, St. Mary's Old Boys' Club,[62] from 1948 until links were severed due to a scandal and resulting court case, Stringer v. Usher, Smith, Flanagan and Fleming.[63]

The club carried on under the name of St. Mary's Old Boys' Club. A further court case, Stringer v. Smith and Shaw followed in 2000 when the committee attempted to change the club's constitution to allow illegal functions at the club premises. Again the committee capitulated, incurring £3000 in costs. In 2000 and 2004[64] Merseyside Police raised objections to the continuance of the club on the grounds that it was 'improperly run' and for 'blatant disregard' of the licensing laws. Additionally, the Police did not believe the club was operating as a 'bona fide' members club.[65] In March 2010 St. Mary's Old Boys' Club closed when the police revoked its licence on the grounds that it was not a bona fide club operated in good faith. Simultaneously, the former club trustees found themselves being sued by their landlords for £72,000 of unpaid rent dating back to 2005.[66]

References

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  1. ^ "GRAMMAR SCHOOLS (DIRECT GRANT STATUS) (Hansard, 31 May 1946)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 31 May 1946. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b John Birt (15 October 2002). "I felt ill at ease with well-to-do people". The Times. Retrieved 9 May 2009.[dead link]
  3. ^ Jonathan Sale (18 March 1999). "Passed/Failed: Roger McGough". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2009.
  4. ^ a b Emily Moore interviewing Will Hanrahan (5 January 1999). "New class barriers". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2009.
  5. ^ Pamela Coleman interviewing Roger McGough (30 November 2001). "My best teacher". Times Educational Supplement. Retrieved 9 May 2009.
  6. ^ "No brother to me". www.nospank.net. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Direct Grant Schools (Hansard, 22 March 1978)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 22 March 1978. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Introduction". St Mary's College, Crosby. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  9. ^ the property was originally owned by the wealthy de Costa family, Liverpool shipowners and Unionist sympathisers during the American Civil War. American eagles can still be seen engraved on the gateposts of the house.
  10. ^ Crosby Herald, Feb. 1963 Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine, from Friends of St. Mary's website
  11. ^ 1K views | Check out our state-of-the-art gym at our Open Events this week! 🏋️✨ This is where our pupils train, build new skills & techniques, learn, explore,... | By St. Mary's College, Crosby | Facebook. Retrieved 29 May 2025 – via www.facebook.com.
  12. ^ "#guestofhonour #library #macmillancoffeemorning #refresh #newlook | St. Mary's College, Crosby". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Contact & Find Us". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  14. ^ Brown, Andrew (3 July 2015). "Ainsdale Show, Proms in the Park, Lydiate Classic Car Show, Spitfire flypast". southportvisiter. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  15. ^ St. Mary's College (13 July 2024). "Proms-in-the-Park-2024-Sponsorship-Hospitality-Opportunities" (PDF).
  16. ^ BBC Education League Tables: St Mary's College, Crosby
  17. ^ Greer, Jamie (20 August 2024). "Merseyside schools with the best GCSE results 2022/23". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  18. ^ Thorp, Liam (9 June 2024). "The top schools in every borough of Merseyside". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Extra-Curricular Activities". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  20. ^ St. Mary's College. "Girls football team with Faye Kirby".
  21. ^ St. Mary's College. "Morgan Feeney with St. Mary's footballers".
  22. ^ delgaudios (21 December 2021). "Major Boost for Cricket at St. Mary's". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  23. ^ "Sports". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  24. ^ "Music - Extra-Curricular Activities". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  25. ^ ceneyb (9 April 2025). "Philharmonic Hall is venue for 25th St. Mary's College Festival of Music!". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  26. ^ ceneyb (18 July 2024). "St. Mary's College stages Proms in the Park music-and-fireworks extravaganza!". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  27. ^ ceneyb (16 December 2024). "Traditional carol concert marks start of Christmas season at St. Mary's College". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  28. ^ "Combined Cadet Force". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  29. ^ "Homepage". Combined Cadet Force. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  30. ^ St. Mary's College. "Facebook search of SCIC mentions". Facebook.
  31. ^ ceneyb (2 May 2025). "Upper Sixth student appointed the Lord-Lieutenant's Cadet for Merseyside". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Duke of Edinburgh Award". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  33. ^ "Drama". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  34. ^ School Song Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ "Getting to know our Head Boy and Head Girl!". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  36. ^ "Introducing our new Head Girl and Head Boy". St. Mary's College. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  37. ^ "Obituary: Hugh Rank". guardian.co.uk. 15 December 2006.
  38. ^ 156 Squadron Aircrew details
  39. ^ a b British Microlight Aircraft Association Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine photo
  40. ^ "Islington council press release". Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  41. ^ a b c d Who's Who 2012
  42. ^ Crosby Herald 16 February 1989 Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine from Friends of St. Mary's website
  43. ^ Obit. Nautilus International Report 2011
  44. ^ Obit. The Guardian, 30 May 2010
  45. ^ Daily Telegraph 25 March 2009
  46. ^ Obit. Archived 3 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine Oxford Today, 2013
  47. ^ Obit. The Times, 4 November 2013
  48. ^ Obit. The Guardian, 13 November 2014
  49. ^ "How St Mary's drove me to succeed". 18 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  50. ^ "Remembering excellence - eventually" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  51. ^ Crosby Herald Archived 14 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine 24 April 2008
  52. ^ BBC biography Archived 6 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  53. ^ Obituary The Independent, 28 January 1997
  54. ^ Obit. The Telegraph, 8 January 2015
  55. ^ Obituary The Stage, 29 November 2010
  56. ^ [1] Bill Harry's Sixties Snapshots
  57. ^ [2] obit., The Guardian
  58. ^ [3] obit., The Times
  59. ^ St Mary's College website Archived 14 January 2013 at archive.today
  60. ^ St. Mary's College Yearbook 1934[permanent dead link] pp 15,35,37,39
  61. ^ Liverpool Daily Post 9 September 2002
  62. ^ The legal name of the club was changed to St Mary's College Association in 1987, under pressure from the School to reflect its now co-educational status. Few, if any, female pupils joined, and the club remained known by its former name, and colloquially as The Old Boys.
  63. ^ School to 'divorce' club, Crosby Herald, 20 May 1999
  64. ^ Axe threat to historic club, Crosby Herald, 14 October 2004
  65. ^ Old boys' club ticked off, Crosby Herald, 18 November 2004
  66. ^ Creditors swoop on St. Mary's ex-Trustees as Sefton Council confiscate license Archived 14 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine Crosby Herald, 8 April 2010
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