Burscough Priory Academy is an Academy in Burscough, Lancashire, England. It officially opened on 10 June 1958 as Burscough County Secondary School under the Headship of Brian Stone, and cost just over £120,000 to build. The then Edward Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby presided over the ceremony. At the time of opening, the school's staff of 10 teachers looked after 222 pupils. The school's motto E Pluribus Unum , which is also the motto of the United States, was thought to be appropriate as the new school was created from several all-age schools from around the area. The Academy's intake is around 700 students and caters for 11-to 16-year-olds, with 90 members of staff.
History
The school originally occupied of space, of which just over was developed into playing fields and sport facilities. The school building comprised a two-storey building with 8 classrooms and 6 practical rooms, amongst changing rooms and hall. Originally the school was to be named Ormskirk Burscough County Secondary School, until protests by the people of Burscough were successful in having the "Ormskirk" dropped from the title. The original school was designed to educate a maximum of 300 students, but numbers rose to 450 before any extensions where added. Although small in size in comparison to other secondary comprehensive schools in West Lancashire, the school has seen several expansions since its construction. As well as a ROSLA building being constructed in the early 1970s, the school was also extended in 1976. It then became known as Burscough Priory High School. During this time the roll expanded to over 800 pupils with the comprehensive intake. Brian 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. The school was later extended again with the construction of a Performing Arts building, in response to gaining specialist Science College status. The school converted to an Academy, sponsored by Endeavour Learning Trust from September 2018.
Buildings
The school's four buildings link to form a single school, split across two halves with a sheltered corridor providing an indoor connection between them.
Original building
The original building is where the modern school entrance and main corridors are, including classrooms on the upper floor. This was the original school until it was extended in 1972 and 1976 for the raising of school leaving age and for the comprehensive intake, respectively. No extensive refurbishment has taken place in the original part of the school. A gymnasium was built during the 1970s, when headteacher Brian Stone had the option to build a swimming pool or a gymnasium, and chose the latter. The back of school also saw an extension of classrooms during the 1970s and the front entrance saw some refurbishment during the summer of 2004.
The ROSLA Building
In 1972, a law was passed to increase the legal age at which a pupil could leave compulsory education 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 seen upon entering the school premises. Although intended to last for only around 15 years, the ROSLA building is still standing after years. It accommodates the art and SEN departments, as well as a pastoral support centre on the ground floor with a smaller secondary cafeteria adjoined to it. Extensive refurbishment took place in 2016, with the removal of asbestos and a full redecoration.
In September 2004, the school changed its name to Burscough Priory Science College to reflect gaining specialist school status in Science. The science and performing arts building was completed and in use in the same month, with the official opening occurring 8 months later on 25 May 2005, being named after the original headteacher as The Brian Stone Centre. It accommodates the newly built science laboratories on the ground floor, as well as the upper floor music & performing arts departments, comprising 2 large music rooms, several practice rooms and a drama studio. This building was built on the location which housed the aging portable cabin classrooms.
Solar panels
In 2008, Burscough Priory was one of 100 schools through the United Kingdom to have been chosen to receive solar panels worth £20000, half funded by the Co-op's £1m Green Energy for Schools Scheme. An LCD display in the school entrance displays the total energy generated by the panels since installation and also the amount of greenhouse gases which have been prevented from entering the atmosphere.
Conversion to Academy
The DfE confirmed in late August 2018 that the conversion from Burscough Priory Science College to Burscough Priory Academy was finalised for 1 September 2018. This confirmed that the school would be joining and be sponsored by Endeavour Learning Trust.
