Tower College

Tower College is an English independent[1] non-denominational Christian school for boys and girls aged 3–16.[2]

Tower College
‘The Tower’
Address
Mill Lane

Rainhill
,
L35 6NE

England
Coordinates53.4069225°N 2.7584481°W / 53.4069225; -2.7584481
Information
TypeIndependent Day School
MottoLabore et Honore
Established1948
FounderCharles Oxley
Local authoritySt Helens
PrincipalAndrea Bingley
GenderCoeducational
Age3 to 16
Websitetowercollege.com

History

The school is named after the main school building, the former private residence, The Tower, on Mill Lane, Rainhill near Prescot, Merseyside.[3]

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.[4] The interior has an impressive main stair hall with stained glass windows and many wood paneled rooms in Jacobean style with decorative ceilings. The Tower operated as a war hospital during World War I.[5] 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.[6]

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 1964, and Hamilton College, in Lanarkshire in 1983.[7] After Charles and Muriel Oxley died, their daughter, Rachel Oxley, became Principal.[8] As of 2022, Tower College’s principal is Andrea Bingley.[9]

Curriculum

The school has a broad curriculum covering all major subjects, together with specialist sport, music and languages teaching. Extracurricular activities include choir, instrument ensembles, performing arts and sports.[10] Exam results at Tower College are often above the local and national averages.[11][12][13]

Reputation

Tower College aims to have clear and transparent communication with parents.[14]

With the challenges of 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.[15]

Aside from public examinations, students take part in competitive music, squash, tennis and public speaking.[16] Students take part in the Rotary Club of St Helens public speaking competition and have represented the region in the ‘Youth Speaks’ competition.[17]

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.[18]

References
  1. "Private and state schools bid to kill off GCSEs". the Guardian. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  2. "Tower College, Rainhill - ISC". www.isc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  3. "Tower V.A.D. Hospital". Rainhill Remembers... Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  4. "Heritage Gateway - Results". www.heritagegateway.org.uk. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  5. "The Tower was used as a VAD hospital…". www.rainhill-civic-society.org.uk (JPG). Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  6. "Heritage Gateway - Results". www.heritagegateway.org.uk. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  7. "StackPath". www.hamiltoncollege.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  8. "Lewis Media | Tower College". www.govtiq.com. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  9. "Tower College - GOV.UK". www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  10. "Tower College, Pre-Prep, Lower & Middle, Prescot L35". Schoolsmith. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  11. "BBC News - School league tables". BBC News. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  12. "Tower College - GOV.UK". Find and compare schools in England. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  13. "All schools and colleges in St. Helens - GOV.UK". Find and compare schools in England. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  14. "Spotlight on a School: Tower College, Rainhill". Independent School Management Plus. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  15. "Private and state schools bid to kill off GCSEs". the Guardian. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  16. Feature, Promotional (29 May 2014). "Tower College – A Leading Independent School for 3 – 16 Year Olds". Great British Life. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  17. "North West Young Speakers Set Highest Standard in National Competition". Rotary NW England & IoM. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  18. "Tower College - Pre-Prep & Lower School 'Bob-a-Job'". JustGiving. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
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