St Mary's College, Blackburn

History

Grammar school

The college was founded by the Marist Fathers as a Catholic boys grammar school in 1925. The former football ground of Blackburn Olympic F.C. was subsequently acquired as a site for the school, which was known as St Mary's College RC Grammar School.

Sixth form college

The school became a co-educational Catholic sixth form college in 1978.

The Finley-Stokes Centre was opened in March 2005, named after former principal Michael Finley, who retired in 2008, and former deputy principal Peter Stokes, who died in 2004. The building was opened by former teacher Right Rev. Bishop Thomas Burns. A science block was opened in August 2007, named after a former headmaster, Father Graystone. A performing arts complex was opened in February 2008, named after former college principal, Rev. Kevin O'Neill. In 2017, allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by O'Neill led the governing body to remove his name from the performing arts centre.

In 2017, allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by the late Kevin O'Neill led the governing body to remove from the performing arts centre all mentions of O'Neill's name. A case study was submitted during 2020 to Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, a statutory inquiry for England and Wales "The Marist Fathers Their culture and concealment of child sexual abuse, and the ‘watchdogs’ that refuse to watch, bark or bite."

St Mary's was the smallest sixth form college in the UK. It closed in August 2022 with £8 million of debt. The college said in a statement: "Despite good leadership and effective governance, St Mary’s have been unable to meet the financial challenges as a small standalone College".

THE SOCIETY OF MARY Charity number: 1179085: The charity accounts for the society ending 31 December 2022 show a £5m uplift following the sale of St Mary's College Blackburn; this is despite the £8m debits carried by the College at closure.

The main building was recently used as a wedding venue however planning permission was not granted.

Alumni

• Sir Gerald Barling QC
• Thomas Burns (bishop)
• Mike Duxbury, footballer - Manchester United and England
• Anthony Green, actor
• John Hopkins, landscape architect (Olympic Park, 2012)
• Brian Miller (footballer) - Burnley and England. Manager - Burnley FC
• Greg Pope, Labour MP for Hyndburn
• Sir John Skehel, virologist
• Fred Smithies, trade union leader
• AJ Odudu TV Presenter

References

References

1. (2020-11-25). "St Mary's College Blackburn to close in 2022".
2. (12 March 2015). "TALES FROM THE PAST: Call for former Blackburn pupils to share school stories". Lancashire Telegraph.
3. "Lasting legacy to two key officials".
4. "Greystone Science Centre".
5. (30 August 2017). "Author reveals how his adolescence was blighted by sexual abuse at the hands of his headteacher".
6. (2017-08-30). "Author reveals how his adolescence was blighted by sexual abuse at the hands of his headteacher".
7. (2020-11-25). "The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse".
8. (2020-11-25). "The Marist Fathers Their culture and concealment of child sexual abuse, and the ‘watchdogs’ that refuse to watch, bark or bite".
9. (26 November 2020). "St Mary's College Blackburn to close in 2022". Lancashire Telegraph.
10. (28 January 2013). "John Hopkins obituary". theguardian.com.