St Mary’s School in Blackpool had a history far older than pupils were led to believe. Though little was ever formally recorded or taught, it began life in 1866 as a girls’ school run by the Presentation Sisters at Raikes Hall. Their pupils, dressed in full Victorian attire, studied religion and the liberal arts before moving to Layton Hill Convent by 1890.
By 1880 the school accepted boys, and around 1900 numbers had grown so large that it was divided into two “houses.” The girls and youngest boys remained at Layton Hill, while the boys’ house moved to Park Road and was placed under the patronage of St Joseph. In 1918 the school relocated to Layton Mount, a yellow sandstone house built by William Lumb.
In 1923 the bishop invited the Irish Christian Brothers to take charge, and under their leadership the school expanded rapidly. New facilities were added: an extension in 1926, a chapel and gymnasium in 1934, a dining room and kitchen in 1948, and a science block in 1953.
A major turning point came in 1958 with the appointment of headmaster William Ignatius O’Carroll. His ambition to build a new block strained finances, while neglect of existing buildings led to costly disrepair. By the 1970s parts of the school were unsafe. In 1975 the bishop ordered the Brothers to leave and merged the school with a neighbouring institution. Soon afterwards the site was sold for redevelopment, closing a chapter in Blackpool’s educational history.
Despite the loss of its original buildings, St Mary’s – St Joseph’s – remained one of the town’s oldest educational traditions, its origins stretching back to the mid-19th century, predating Blackpool Grammar and other later foundations.
Perhaps what best represents the school’s impact are the authors that attended there: Vincent Cobb • Malcolm Crane • Homer Jackson Lamour • Brian O’Raleigh • Terry Taylor
Text source: St Joseph's College'swebsite
Images by © Provided by JV Ward from the St Joseph's College website
