The chapel of St Francis de Sales was officially opened on December 16th 1883 by Monsignor Fisher V.G. This was a stable and loft which were part of Thompson's Funeral Services on County Rd. On February 2nd 1885 Fr. Smith opened the register for the school with 130 children, this shared the loft space with the chapel.

This did not go well initially. Non attendance through sickness and truancy, as well as the appalling conditions in which the children tried to learn hindered the efforts of the teaching staff.

Illness was a particular problem - especially Scarlet Fever and Measles. Two pupils, Ada Priestly and Margaret Connor were lost through these in 1885.

On February 1st 1886 the school's first inspection took place. This highlighted the poor condition of the school.

“ This school is held in a loft, which is wholly unsuited for the purpose of education and is only recommended a grant this year in consideration of new buildings being erected without delay.”

Little had improved by the next inspection in March 1887 which was scathing in its criticism of the building and standards of education:

“ The school is still held in the same dirty loft where there is neither sufficient space for the number of children attending (128 on the first day), nor proper means of lighting, ventilating and warming the room. It is so dark that children have difficulty either to read or to write with regularity. On the day of the examination the air was poisonous from want of proper ventilation and the only warming apparatus was a little flaming gas stove dangerously exposed which only served to vitiate the air, not to warm it …. Working under such conditions it is little wonder that the children shewed such lamentable deficiency in the examination … Under these circumstances no grant of any kind can be recommended this year.”

" The boys' offices (toilets) were padlocked on the morning of the examination and there does not seem to be any urinal from the experience of the corners of the yard."

It's fair to say we've come a long way since then!

During this time numbers had grown rapidly and the temporary site was no longer adequate. The new school on Hale Rd was built and this opened on June 20th 1887. The new chapel on October 16th of the same year. Kathleen Smith took charge of the Senior Mixed Department and wrote that she found, "Scholars in a most backward condition and almost unmanageable." 

Things did settle down and by November 11th it was recorded that, “The children seem a little more orderly. The teachers speak to them about obedience, punctuality, cleanliness and honesty.”

By July 1888 the H.M. Inspectors report showed the school was moving in the right direction.

“These new and commodious schools consisting of mixed and infants departments, furnished with ample classroom accommodation and otherwise satisfactorily equipped were opened now some seven or eight months ago. Under the circumstances and the short time the school has been opened, the very irregular attendance and rough class of many of the children who attend, a very fair beginning has been made here.”

Thomas Neeley - Victoria Cross Winner

Thomas Patrick Neely was born on 28 March 1897 in Wallasey, near Liverpool. He grew up with his parents, James and Agnes Neely, and had six brothers and sisters. His dad worked as a gasfitter and labourer to help support the family.

Thomas went to our school from 1907 - 1911.  We believe he was in the same class as Edward Irvine and is in the picture above. After school, he worked in a grain mill that made food for animals.

When the First World War began, Thomas joined the army and became a soldier in The King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. He lead his men during the Hundred Days Offensive., which was a major battle towards the end of the war and helped secure the final victory for the allies.

For his incredible courage and bravery, Thomas was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) — the highest award a British or Commonwealth soldier can receive for bravery in the face of danger.

He was then promoted to lance sergeant but was killed in action just a few days later, on 1 October 1918,  He was buried at Masnieres British Cemeetery in Marcoing, France. King George V presented his VC to his parents in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 27 February 1920.

Thomas Neely continues to be an inspiration to us for his bravery, courage and sacrifice.