Tower College
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Multiple issues|{{notability|Organizations|date=July 2021}}{{advert|date=July 2021}}}}
{{Infobox school
| name = Tower College
| image = Tower_College.jpg
| caption = ‘The Tower’
| image_size = 250px
| coordinates = {{coord|53.4069225|-2.7584481|type:edu_region:GB_dim:100|format=dec|display=inline,title}}
| motto = Labore et Honore
| established = 1948
| closed =
| type = Independent Day School
| trust =
| religious_affiliation =
| president =
| head_label = Principal
| head = Andrea Bingley
| r_head =
| chair_label =
| chair =
| founder = Charles Oxley
| address = Mill Lane
| city = Rainhill
| county =
| country = England
| postcode = L35 6NE
| local_authority = St Helens
| ofsted =
| urn =
| staff =
| enrolment =
| gender = Coeducational
| lower_age = 3
| upper_age = 16
| colours =
| houses =
| publication =
| free_label_1 =
| free_1 =
| free_label_2 =
| free_2 =
| free_label_3 =
| free_3 =
| website = {{url|Towercollege.com}}
}}
Tower College is an English independent{{Cite web|date=2020-09-20|title=Private and state schools bid to kill off GCSEs|url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/sep/20/private-and-state-schools-bid-to-kill-off-gcses|access-date=2021-02-15|website=the Guardian|language=en}} non-denominational Christian school for boys and girls aged 3–16.{{Cite web|title=Tower College, Rainhill - ISC|url=https://www.isc.co.uk/schools/england/merseyside/rainhill/tower-college/|access-date=2021-02-15|website=www.isc.co.uk}}
History
The school is named after the main school building, the former private residence, The Tower, on Mill Lane, Rainhill near Prescot, Merseyside.{{Cite web|title=Tower V.A.D. Hospital|url=https://www.rainhillremembers.uk/tower-vad-hospital.html|access-date=2021-02-15|website=Rainhill Remembers...|language=en}}
Designed in free Jacobethan style and built in 1880 for the Henry Baxter family, the main building’s exterior features balustrades, parapets, and high Elizabethan style chimneys.{{Cite web|title=Heritage Gateway - Results|url=https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1454669&sort=2&rational=a&class1=11&period=None&county=None&district=None&parish=None&place=Wing&recordsperpage=10&source=text&p=53&move=n&nor=609&recfc=0&resourceID=19191|access-date=2021-07-24|website=www.heritagegateway.org.uk}} The interior has an main stair hall with stained glass windows and wood panelled rooms in Jacobean style with decorative ceilings. The Tower operated as a war hospital during World War I.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rainhill-civic-society.org.uk/html/Transitionauto1.html |access-date=2023-05-25 |type=JPG |title=The Tower was used as a VAD hospital… |lang=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122002505/http://www.rainhill-civic-society.org.uk/html/Transitionauto1.html |archive-date=2015-11-22 |website=www.rainhill-civic-society.org.uk}} In 2006, the main school building was considered for listed status, but the inspection found too many original features had been altered since its adaptation as a hospital and school.{{Cite web |title=Heritage Gateway - Results |url=https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1454669&sort=2&rational=a&class1=11&period=None&county=None&district=None&parish=None&place=Wing&recordsperpage=10&source=text&p=53&move=n&nor=609&recfc=0&resourceID=19191 |access-date=2021-07-24 |website=www.heritagegateway.org.uk}}
Charles and Muriel Oxley bought The Tower and established the school in 1948. While continuing to operate Tower College, Oxley later established two other schools, Scarisbrick Hall School, near Ormskirk in 1963, and Hamilton College, in Lanarkshire in 1983.{{Cite web|title=StackPath|url=https://www.hamiltoncollege.co.uk/about-us/school-history|access-date=2021-02-15|website=www.hamiltoncollege.co.uk}} After Charles and Muriel Oxley died, their daughter Rachel Oxley became Principal.{{Cite web|title=Lewis Media {{!}} Tower College|url=https://www.govtiq.com/TowerCollege/profile.html|access-date=2021-02-15|website=www.govtiq.com}} As of 2024, Tower College’s principal is Andrea Bingley.{{Cite web|title=Tower College - GOV.UK|url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/104837#school-dashboard|access-date=2021-02-15|website=www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk|language=en}}
Curriculum
The school has a broad curriculum covering all major subjects, together with specialist sports, music and languages. Extracurricular activities include choir, instrument ensembles, performing arts and sports.{{Cite web|title=Tower College, Pre-Prep, Lower & Middle, Prescot L35|url=https://www.schoolsmith.co.uk/school/tower-college-pre-prep-lower-middle-prescot-l35/|access-date=2021-02-15|website=Schoolsmith|language=en-GB}} Exam results at Tower College are often above the local and national averages.{{Cite web|title=BBC News - School league tables|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/education/school_tables/secondary/11/html/avg_grade_342.stm|access-date=2021-02-15|website=BBC News|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Tower College - GOV.UK|url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/104837/tower-college/secondary|access-date=2021-02-15|website=Find and compare schools in England|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=All schools and colleges in St. Helens - GOV.UK|url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/schools-by-type?step=default&table=schools®ion=342&la-name=st.-helens&geographic=la&for=secondary&basedon=Overall+performance&show=All+pupils&orderby=ks4.0.PTL2BASICS_95&orderdir=asc|access-date=2021-02-15|website=Find and compare schools in England|language=en}}
Reputation
Tower College aims to have clear communication with parents.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Spotlight on a School: Tower College, Rainhill|url=https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/features/spotlight-on-a-school-tower-college-rainhill/|access-date=2021-07-24|website=Independent School Management Plus|language=en-US}}
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the school invested in online learning where teachers offer live online lessons and a ‘virtual exam hall’, where invigilation can be conducted by teachers via Zoom, a development widely reported in national media.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-20|title=Private and state schools bid to kill off GCSEs|url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/sep/20/private-and-state-schools-bid-to-kill-off-gcses|access-date=2021-07-24|website=the Guardian|language=en}}
Aside from public examinations, students take part in competitive music, sports, and public speaking.{{Cite web|last=Feature|first=Promotional|date=2014-05-29|title=Tower College – A Leading Independent School for 3 – 16 Year Olds|url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/tower-college-a-leading-independent-school-for-3-16-year-6949336|access-date=2021-07-24|website=Great British Life|language=en-UK}} Students take part in the Rotary Club of St Helens public speaking competition and have represented the region in the ‘Youth Speaks’ competition.{{Cite web|title=North West Young Speakers Set Highest Standard in National Competition|url=https://www.rotaryonline.org.uk/rotaryonline/2012/04/young-speakers.html|access-date=2021-07-24|website=Rotary NW England & IoM}}
Also known for charity fundraising, Tower College holds fundraising events throughout the school. This has included raising money for the local Willowbrook Hospice in Eccleston Park.{{Cite web|title=Tower College - Pre-Prep & Lower School 'Bob-a-Job'|url=https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tower-college-rainhill-bob-a-job|access-date=2021-07-24|website=JustGiving|language=en}}
References
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External links
- [https://www.TowerCollege.com Official Website]
{{Schools in St Helens}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Private schools in St Helens, Merseyside
Category:Educational institutions established in 1948
Category:Member schools of the Independent Schools Association (UK)