History Of St. Nicholas Catholic High School

On Monday September 6 1965 two hundred children from Mid-Cheshire attended for the first time the new St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Secondary Modern School in Greenbank Lane, Hartford, Northwich, the first Catholic Secondary School in the area. It was a two-form entry school, built to serve the parishes of Northwich, Middlewich, Barnton, Weaverham and Winsford. The cost of £160,000 was funded part by the Church authorities, part by Cheshire Education Authority, and some 70% by contributions from the Catholic community in Mid-Cheshire.

The first Chairman of Governors was Father R.Velarde, Parish Priest of St. Wilfrid's, Northwich, and the first headmaster was thirty-five year old Mr Michael O'Connor who came from St. Paul's School, Haywards Heath.

The official opening of St. Nicholas took place on Friday May 20 1966 and was performed by His Lordship the Right Reverend William Eric Grasar, the Bishop of Shrewsbury. In his address he stressed the vital role of parents in supporting and cooperating with the teaching staff in the education of their children, a factor, which over the years has been an important feature in the development and success of the School. The concluding words of the introduction to the programme were "every effort has been made to provide at St Nicholas School an educational environment of the highest order".

In September 1966 the school became a three-form entry with ninety pupils in the first year and with a fifth form of twenty pupils, From the very beginning this growth had been anticipated and further building extensions were already planned to include additional classrooms, practical rooms, science laboratories and a gymnasium.

In reading reports of the School's Speech day in 1967 one lights upon themes, which have been repeated down to the present time and which reflect the success of the School over the years. [Of course the custom of Prize Nights still continues and is a high spot in the School's calendar] Mr O'Connor said that the school's second year was not just an improvement on the first year but it overshadowed it. "In all spheres of activity there were rising standards" He praised the pupils so many of whom stood out "because of the way they do all that is asked of them and often more; in their studies, at their games, and in all their other activities" This was the sign of a good school.

If these comments still strike a chord today so will others from that first Prize Day. Mr O'Connor estimated that by the year 1970 the School would have to accommodate five hundred pupils, that the extensions already approved would be insufficient to cater for such numbers and that some parents who wished for their children to be educated at St. Nicholas, would have to be told there was no room. Nothing changes!

By September 1968 a group of pupils had gained commendable results in both CSE and GCE examinations and one pupil had begun Advanced Level studies.

The school continued to prosper and in December 1971 the local press highlighted a significant moment in the growth and development of St Nicholas. While the plans for other secondary schools in the area to change to the comprehensive system still had a long way to go, St Nicholas was to become an 11-18 comprehensive in September 1972. This duly took place with the School to be known henceforth as St. Nicholas High School.

To meet the requirements of comprehensive education additional accommodation was required. In 1972 came extensions, which included more science laboratory areas, a modern language department, new business studies area, an extended library, the first phase of a sports hall and further provision for geography, history and art.

By 1975 over twenty pupils were in the Sixth Form, Advanced Level studies were established and already former pupils were taking Degree Courses. Further site developments occurred in 1979 with the building of the Sixth Form wing, a new class- room, and the development of practical areas. These extensions were formally opened in October 1979 by Mr Mark Carlisle, Secretary of State for Education.

To meet the continuing success of the pupils at Ordinary levels, later GCSE's and Advanced levels, the increase in the pupil population and the demands of the curriculum further changes occurred at a pace.

The re-modeled and refurbished 'old' science laboratories were formally opened by Sir Kenneth Green on 22nd November, 1989 . The Music Suite, was opened by Sir John Manduell on 4th December, 1992 and at the same time two new science laboratories were constructed on the old tennis courts. Five new courts and a car park with forty- eight spaces were also built on the edge of the playing fields.

Two years later came a new suite of classrooms for English, History, Mathematics, Religious Studies, Special Needs, Technology, Business Studies, Language rooms, the remodeling of the Library and for the first time a School Chapel.

A year later, in August 1995 Mr Michael O'Connor retired after thirty years as Headmaster. He had been the one constant member of staff since the School began. It was his vision, leadership, dedication, inspiration and commitment, which had guided and transformed St. Nicholas from being a two- form entry Secondary Modern School to becoming a highly successful Comprehensive School with a population of over1000 and ranked among the top comprehensive schools in the country.

Mr Gerard Boyle, formerly headmaster at St. Joseph's, Horwich, succeeded as Headmaster in September 1995. Not only has he continued and maintained the progress of St. Nicholas, but also he has been instrumental in leading the school successfully through the many changes in education over the last few years. Moreover he has taken St. Nicholas through additional stages of its physical development and at the same time it has achieved the most successful results in its history.

Since 1995-2003 the School has acquired further new buildings, and in 2003 Business and Enterprise Status. The development of the buildings in this period has included five new Science laboratories, an Arts suite and an additional floor to the Sixth Form Centre. Internal refurbishments have been carried out in the old Science laboratories, Food Technology rooms and Business Centre. The next phase of development began in January 2004, and this will enhanced the Sports Hall and provided two further laboratories and three Modern Foreign Language teaching rooms.

Business and Enterprise Status has provided a focus for the development of the school in the last five years. The culture of 'enterprise' will increasingly permeate the life of the school and provide additional opportunities for the students to be successful in the future, both for themselves and the communities in which they are citizens.

St. Nicholas has changed in many respects but the values on which the school is based remain the same work in all things, the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of life, and the continual development of a Community reflecting in worship and action the values and ideals of Christ.

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