Burscough Priory Science College
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| Burscough Priory Science College | |
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| E PLURIBUS UNUM ("Out of Many, One") |
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| Established | June 1958 |
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| School type | Secondary Comprehensive |
| Headmaster | Roger Leighton |
| Deputy Headteachers | Robert Madgin, Colin Edgar |
| Location | Burscough, Lancashire, England |
| Students | 750 |
| Teaching staff | 90 |
| Specialist Status | Science |
| Website | Burscough Priory Science College |
Contents |
[edit] The School
The school's first official opening took place on the 10th June 1958 as Burscough County Secondary School under the Headship of Brian Stone, when the then Edward John, 18th Earl of Derby, (1918 - 1994), presided over the ceremony. At the time of opening, the school's staff of just 10 teachers looked after the 222 pupils on roll at that time. The school's motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (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.
The school was extended in 1976 and became known as Burscough Priory High School. During this time the roll expanded to over 800 pupils with the comprehensive intake.
Brain 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. To date, the school has a population of roughly 750 students and caters for 11-16 year olds, with approximately 90 members of staff.
[edit] The ROSLA Building
In 1972, a law was passed to make the legal age at which a pupil could leave compulsory education to be increased 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 you see upon entering the school site. Although only originally intended to stand for a maximum of 15 years, the ROSLA block to this date is still standing after 34 years from originally being constructed. It accommodates for the Art and ICT Department, as well as a 5th year (Year 11) common room. There are no current plans for extensive refurbishment or reconstruction, with the exception of minor recoration to the upper floor.
[edit] Science and Performing Arts Building
In September 2004 the school once again changed its name to become Burscough Priory Science College to reflect the gaining of specialist school status in Science. The new Science and Performing Arts building was completed in the same month and officially opened on 25th May 2005, being named after the original headteacher as The Brian Stone Centre. It accommodates the newly built Science Laboratories, as well as the upper floor Music & Performing Arts departments.
[edit] Recent Investments
The school has seen heavy investments over the past 2 years. An Ofsted report in November 2004 slated the school for not providing sufficient teaching for ICT and Religious Studies, as well as an unsatisfactory Design & Technology Department, mainly because of staffing problems. Most noticeably of recent investments has been within the Design and Technology department, which has seen complete refurishment of all its subject rooms since 2004, with the Food Technology room last to be refurbished in this project, being completed in September 2006.
A recent investment in 2005 was put into creation of a purpose-built ICT Suite, allowing any subject to book it for their own lessons. This has also provided the facilities allowing the school to teach ICT through all years across the school.
[edit] Headmasters
- 1958-1984 - Brian Stone
- 1984-1985 - Eric Cole (Acting Head)
- 1985-present - Roger Leighton
