Westholme School
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| Westholme School | |
|---|---|
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| Address | |
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Wilmar Lodge Meins Road , , BB2 6QU England | |
| Coordinates | 53°45′11″N 2°31′52″W / 53.75295°N 2.53108°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent school |
| Motto | Mens sana in corpore sano (A healthy mind in a healthy body) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Christian |
| Established | 1923 |
| Founder | Emily Singleton |
| Department for Education URN | 119826 Tables |
| Principal | Paul Taylor |
| Gender | Boys and girls |
| Age | 3 to 18 years |
| Enrolment | 767 |
| Houses | Calder, Longridge, Bowland, Pendle |
| Colour(s) | Purple and green |
| Website | http://www.westholmeschool.com |
Westholme School is a private educational institution in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, which was founded in 1923.[1] In 2018, the school became fully coeducational for pupils aged 4 to 18 years.
Mr. Paul Taylor became the principal in October 2024.[2]
History
[edit]On 19 April 1923, Emily Singleton established a small primary school at her parents' house, Westholme, on Preston New Road in Blackburn, Lancashire. The aim was to establish an educational space and provide lessons for children during the Great Depression, given limited alternatives in the local area.
By 1948, the Westholme School had increased its enrolment to around 135 pupils, and was officially recognized by the UK government as a formal place of education. This growth led to the formation of a secondary school and a move to larger premises. As Singleton approached retirement age, she agreed that World War I veteran Mr. Arthur Rouse from the University of Salford would become the school principal.
In 1968, the Westholme School became a registered charity administered by a board of governors. The school consisted of a primary school, secondary school, and a newly-established sixth form, based at separate locations. An assembly hall, laboratories, a swimming pool, a sports hall, playing fields, a music centre, and art studios were built as part of a 10-acre development plan.
The school's expansion continued in the late 1990s under Principal Lillian Croston, including building extensions and modernization. Mrs. Croston led the school for 25 years before retiring in 2013, and Mrs. Lynne Horner became principal of the school in September 2013. In January 2021, Dr. Richard Robson became principal as the school approached its centenary year.[3] As of October 2024, Mr. Paul Taylor is the current principal, with an enrolment of over 750 pupils.
Present day
[edit]Westholme became fully coeducational in September 2018 and currently accepts children between the ages of 4 and 18. Currently, over 750 girls and boys attend the school from areas throughout Lancashire.[4]
The school is independently run and charges tuition fees. Scholarships are available to pupils who satisfy various criteria for entry into Year 3, Year 7, and Year 12. Applications for Bursaries may be made before entry into Year 7 and Year 12, in line with the school's charitable status. The value of each bursary is related to the financial resources of the student's family and the school's available funds.[5]
The Infant and Junior schools, previously located in Billinge House and Beardwood Bank, were relocated to a new modern prep school that opened in September 2022 and is now on the same site as the Senior School and Sixth Form campus at Wilmar Lodge.[6]
Sports and extracurricular activities
[edit]Westholme School offers sports including football, rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, cross-country, and swimming. Students use on-site facilities and local amenities such as the athletics track at Witton Park and cricket grounds at Cherry Tree Cricket Club.[7]
Facilities include:
Indoor
- Sports Hall, including cricket nets
- 20m swimming pool and baby pool
- Fitness suite
- Dance studio
Outdoor
- Full-size synthetic hockey pitch
- Football pitches
- Rugby pitch
- Tennis/netball hard courts
- Grass athletics track
- Onsite cross-country course
The school promotes inter-house competitions where students compete against each other throughout the year at events such as sports days, swimming galas, music and reading competitions. Music and drama programs are also offered, with teaching and productions in multipurpose facilities on the school campus. Theatrical productions take place every year at the school and often involve the cooperation of the school orchestra. Past productions include Beauty & the Beast, Miss Saigon, and Phantom of the Opera. For the last 20 years, members of the school choir have undertaken a performing tour during the summer holidays and have performed in different international locations, including Salzburg, New York, Monte Carlo, and Paris.[8]
Westholme partners with several sports clubs and local organizations, including Accrington Stanley FC,[9] Blackburn Rovers FC,[10] Preston Grasshoppers RFC,[11] Blackburn Rugby Club, and Blackburn Cathedral, where the school's carol services are held annually.
Notable alumni
[edit]- Professor Sophie Scott - Neuroscientist and deputy director of UCL's Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience
- Seema Kennedy - Former Westholme Head Girl and former Conservative MP for South Ribble
- Diana Vickers - Singer-songwriter and stage actress
- Helen Flanagan - Actress
- Jessica Cunningham - The Apprentice winner 2016
- Charlotte OC - Singer–songwriter
References
[edit]- ^ "Centenary Day". Westholme School. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ Walmsley, Tedd (16 October 2024). "New Chapter…". Live Magazines. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "School History". Westholme School. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Westholme School - ISC". www.isc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Bursaries and Scholarships". Westholme School. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Westholme 2021". Westholme School. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Sports". Westholme School. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Music". Westholme School. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Thank You to club Partners & Sponsors". www.accringtonstanley.co.uk. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Ladies secure Westholme partnership". www.rovers.co.uk. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Mini, Junior and Colts". PGRFC. Retrieved 28 January 2020.