Rivington and Blackrod High School

Infobox UK school
latitude = 53.610329
longitude = -2.549176
dms =
name = Rivington and Blackrod High School


size = 225px
motto_pl =
established = 1566
approx =
closed =
c_approx =
type = Voluntary aided comprehensive
religion = Church of England
president =
head_label = Headteacher
head = Mr Tony Purcell
r_head_label =
r_head =
chair_label =
chair =
founder = James Pilkington, Bishop of Durham
founder_pl =
specialist = Specialist Technology College
specialist_pl =
street = Upper school:
Rivington Lane
city = Rivington
Lancashire
Lower school:
Albert Street
Horwich
county = Greater Manchester
country = England
LEA = Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
ofsted = 105261
staff = over 300 staff and governors
enrollment = 2020 pupils
gender = Coeducational
lower_age = 11
upper_age = 18
houses =
colours =
publication =
free_label_1 =
free_1 =
free_label_2 =
free_2 =
free_label_3 =
free_3 =
website = http://www.rbhs.co.uk/site/the_school/index.html
website_name = www.rbhs.co.uk

Rivington and Blackrod High School is a Church of England, voluntary aided comprehensive and sixth form school in the North West region of England. The school is located at two sites, with the upper school situated on Rivington Lane in Rivington, Lancashire (gbmappingsmall|SD637127), and the lower school situated on Albert Street in Horwich, Greater Manchester (gbmappingsmall|SD638118). [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/site/the_school/index.html The new RBHS website] . URL accessed 24 April 2008.]

History

A Charter of foundation for Rivington Grammar School was granted on the 13 May 1566 to James Pilkington, Bishop of Durham by Queen Elizabeth I of England, although it was not opened until around 1575 in Rivington village. The school was rebuilt in 1715. [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/site/the_school/school_history.html Rivington & Blackrod High School's history] . URL accessed 24 April 2008.]

In the nearby village of Blackrod had its own grammar school, founded in 1568 by the will of John Holmes, a London weaver. In 1875, Rivington Grammar School and Blackrod Grammar School combined to become a single education establishment. A new site was chosen on Rivington Lane and was opened in 1882. The old grammar school in Rivington village is now the current Rivington Primary School. [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/site/the_school/school_history.html Rivington & Blackrod High School's history] . URL accessed 24 April 2008.] Smith, M.D., "Rivington, Lancashire", (1989), Nelson Brothers (ISBN 0-9508772-8-X)]

Rivington and Blackrod Grammar School had a provision for boarding about fifty boys and perhaps an equal number of day boys. It was not until 1905 when girls were first admitted to the school. A chapel was built in 1892, with the Pilkington Window (East) unveiled in 1912, and the War Memorial Window (West) in 1922. In 1929 and 1956, extensions were built on to the school, and in 1958 the Headmaster's house was converted into classrooms. [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/site/the_school/school_history.html Rivington & Blackrod High School's history] . URL accessed 24 April 2008.] Smith, M.D., "Rivington, Lancashire", (1989), Nelson Brothers (ISBN 0-9508772-8-X)]

In 1973, Rivington & Blackrod High School was established by an amalgamation of Rivington & Blackrod Grammar School and Horwich County Secondary School. In 2004, the Brook Learning Partnership was formed - a collaborative partnership with Ladybridge High School, Bolton. [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/site/the_school/school_history.html Rivington & Blackrod High School's history] . URL accessed 24 April 2008.]

Present day

Today, the school is a Specialist Technology College which focuses on design and technology, mathematics and science. It has also been awarded the status of a Training school to train the next generation of teachers. The lower school (the former Horwich County Secondary School) has the 7th year students. The upper school (the former grammar school) has the 8th to 11th year and Sixth form students. [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/site/the_school/index.html The new RBHS website] . URL accessed 24 April 2008.] [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/ts/index.html Rivington & Blackrod H.S. Training School] . URL accessed 24 April 2008.]

Criticism

Rivington & Blackrod High School has received plenty of criticism in the last few years, including being ranked bottom in attendance throughout the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton in 2007.Fact|date=September 2008 The school also was in local news when History teacher Kenneth Chapman was arrested for sexually harassing a 15 year old girl in 2006. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6546081.stm Teacher jailed for web grooming.] ] In mid 2008 a 13 year old girl was raped in woods near the school. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/6998548.stm Young teenager is raped in street] ] But was later confirmed that this girl used this as an excuse as to why she was walking in the woods late at night.

References

External links

* [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/site/the_school/index.html The new RBHS website]
* [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/web/index.php The old RBHS website]
* [http://www.rbhs.co.uk/ts/index.html Rivington & Blackrod H.S. Training School]