Wirral Grammar School

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Cross Lane, Bebington,
Wirral. CH63 3AQ
Tel: 0151 6440908

School History

Grammar Schools, with their origins in medieval times, expanded in the sixteenth and seventeeth centuries when many owed their foundation to rich benefactors and generous endowments. Many of these older grammar schools have declined into obscurity; others have become large, prestigious, independent schools.

The Wirral Grammar Schools were conceived in response to a political and social need. The site chosen for our school amounted initially to just over five acres and was set aside to be used "for the purpose of Higher Education" and on 23rd March 1925, Cheshire County Council passed a resolution proposing that a new secondary school, to be known as Bebington Secondary School, would indeed be built.

The school was designed by the county's Architect Mr F Anstead Browne, whose bold designs for Cheshire schools stand as memorials to his vision of durable strength and practical purpose. The original buildings featured textured red sandstone brick, capped with a distinctive green slate roof set off by an imposing main entrance of white Portland stone.

By September 1931, the Governing Body, Headmaster and staff had been appointed, and pupils selected and, on Thursday 17th September, the gates of the school were opened to 105 boys. The first Headmaster of the school, Mr J M Moir, addressed the school and tried to capture a sense of the occasion. He felt that it was "the duty of the school to bring Great Britain back to the place she used to occupy".

On Saturday 26th September 1931, the school was declared officially open by the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, Brigadier-General Sir William Bromley-Davenport.

1980's

September 1981 - The school celebrated its Golden Anniversary and, in October the school hosted an Open Day where guests and Old Boys were able to witness the many changes it had undergone. The day ended at Liverpool's Adelphi Hotel, where 200 guests, including the Rt. Hon. Lord Wilson, enjoyed a Golden Jubilee dinner (Image 14).

1982 - A major programme of works began to extend over 18 months, including the completion of a new library (Image 15). During the months that followed the Sixth Form Centre would gradually emerge, which included a 100-seater Lecture Theatre, private study area, three tutorial rooms, a careers room and administrative offices.

1986 - Mr P A Fishwick announced his retirement

1986 - Mr B J Treacy was appointed as Headmaster

Acknowledgements to Mr Peter Murphy. All extracts are taken from his book "The History of Wirral Grammar School for Boys 1931-1991".

1970's

January 1972 - The school is saddened by the sudden death of Headmaster Mr Taylor. Only a few years away from retirement, his death was a poignant reminder of the heavy administrative burden carried by his office. He would be remembered for boldly experimenting with the curriculum and encouraging new approaches and methods of teaching.

1972 - Mr P A Fishwick appointed as Headmaster.

1974 - The Oval Sports Centre opens and the school is given access to the complex every Wednesday afternoon and Friday evening (Image 12)

1976 - Wirral Grammar School and distinguished Old Boy Harold Wilson resigns from Political life. The school is pleased to pay tribute to him, The Rt.Hon. The Lord Wilson of Rievaulx of Kirklees in the County of West Yorkshire, K.G., P.C., O.B.E., F.R.S., F.R.S.A.

1979 -Thirty thousand pounds is spent on an up-to-date refurbishment, overview photo (Image 13).

1960's

1961 - The total number of pupils in the school exceeds 800 for the first time.

1963 - The school undergoes its biggest transformation since 1930 as the gymnasium and bike sheds are demolished (Image 10) to be replaced by the four storey "Tower Block" (Image 11), offering panoramic views of the Mersey waterfront on one side, and the hills of North Wales on the other.

1962 & 1963 - The First XV rugby team go two seasons undefeated with a points tally of 987 (for) compared with 17 (against)!

1968 - Plans were produced to amalgamate the boys and girls schools and introduce an 11-18 comprehensive co-educational system (later to be rejected given the large number of individual objections to the proposal).

1950's

1951 - Higher School and School Certificates give way to The General Certificate of Education, Advanced and Ordinary levels.

February 1953 - The school undergoes its second examination by Her Majesty's Inspectorate, whose report drew attention to a number of limitations in space and accommodation.

July 1954 - The first Headmaster of the school Mr J M Moir (Image 7), retires after guiding the school through 23 years of growth, helping to create a local institution of some considerable reputation.

June 1954 - Mr B H T Taylor appointed as the schools second Headmaster (Image 8).

1956 - Prefabricated classrooms erected to cope with the overcrowding now being mentioned in the local media.

1958 - Eight thousand pounds earmarked for further buildings, division rooms, an art & craft room and a new library.

1958 - The combined cadet force (Image 9) collapses as a casualty of peacetime.

1940's

August 1941 - The School Hall is wrecked by a bomb (Image 4), the result of an indirect hit on a misplaced target (the hall was to lie in ruins for the next 11 years!)

1941 - Over 150 Old Boys and several members of staff were now serving with the Armed Forces.

1945 - The school celebrates VE day and VJ day. (Image 5) The 'Eleven Plus' becomes the preferred method of selection, meaning that no boys could be excluded from a grammar school for financial reasons.

1947 - Mr Harold Wilson returns to the school for Speech Day, at the time the youngest member of the Cabinet as President of the Board of Trade.

1948 - Bob Weighill (Head Boy in 1936) captains England against France watched by 60,000 spectators in Paris (England lose the game 15 - 0).

1948 - The Earl of Derby presents the prizes during Speech Day. (Image 6)

1930's

October 1931 - School name changed to "Wirral County Grammar School for Boys'

December 1931 - The school's first magazine is issued promising three termly issues per year.

March 1932 - First ever rugby fixture against Birkenhead School who claimed an easy victory!

November 1932 - The first ever Sixth Former arrives to continue his education at Wirral Grammar School, his name.....Mr James Harold Wilson, who would one day become the country's Prime Minister at the age of 48! (Image 1)

1934 - Wirral Grammar Boys are invited to attend the opening of the Mersey Tunnel. (Image 2)

April 1937 - Wirral Grammar Boys invited to the launching of the giant Aircraft Carrier "Ark Royal" at Birkenhead shipyard. (Image 3)

1939 - 17 boys obtain their Higher School Certificate and 72 their School Certificate. 4 students gain admission to Oxbridge.