St Mary's College, Blackburn

St Mary's College was a school in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, from 1925 to 2022. It was established in 1925 by the Marist Fathers as a modern college for students aged 16 to 18. Most students took what is known in the UK as Advanced-Levels (A-Levels) or, if in the first year; Advanced, Subsidiary Levels (AS-Levels).

The college closed on 1 August 2022.^[1]

History

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. 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, 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.^[2]

A new science block was completed in August 2007, which was named 'The Graystone Science Centre'. The building was named after a former headmaster of the grammar school, Father Graystone. 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 theatrical devices, including retractable seating in a multi-purpose room used for rehearsal and performances, as well as 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 computer software, and a recording studio.^[3]

On 12 May Alastair Campbell opened St. Mary’s new, dedicated Enterprise Centre. This £500,000 building was 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 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 3:45 pm.

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. The body declared they were intending to change the name of the centre.^[4] A case study was submitted during 2020 to IICSA,^[5] 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.".^[6]

The College closed on 1 August 2022.^[1]

After closure

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 Third college to go through FE insolvency regime owes £8m; "The college’s property is currently on the market for an undisclosed fee to generate funds to repay the creditors. But the insolvency practitioners’ report suggests a book value of just £402,795." From the societies accounts document: "In compliance with established policy, the trustees have agreed to contribute 10% of any annual operating surplus of the Charity for the promotion of formation and training of new members of the Society of Mary and for 20% of the net sales proceeds (after accounting for professional fees and management costs) from the disposal of St. Mary’s College in Blackburn to facilitate the work of Society worldwide." "The trustees have created a new designated Grant Making reserve from the receipt of the sales proceeds of St. Mary’s College in Blackburn. After the deduction of disposal costs and a 20% net contribution to the Generalate in Rome, the fund stands at £4,050,000. Generalate = Missionary Benedictine Sisters" The accounts have been passed by the charities commission Data for the financial year 2022