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Staff Football Team whoplayed the Senior Pupils Team
Result a 3–3 draw.

Back Row - Roy Wareing, Mike Sumner, Eric Hartley, Peter Jenkinson, Brian Pearson, Geoff Eccles.

Front Row – Peter Barker, Mike Hardacre, Mike Emery, Adrian Crook (Student), Frank Largan

3MSTutor Group in 1969/70.

Back Row – Peter Fryer, Adrian Kenyon, Mike Sumner (Tutor), Geof Eccles (Deputy Year Head), David Pilkington.

3rd Row – Mehrunisha Ahmed, Mariyam Mohmed, Gaynor Llewellyn, Sharon Mullany, Elaine Rowan, Linda Mason, Linda Boothman.

2nd Row – David Whalley, Ronald Longworth, Stephen Morris, David Topham, Tanvir Ahmed, Mark Smith,

Front Row – Julie Baron, Hilary Peak, Diane Chew, Margaret Shaw (Head of Year), Tina McKay, Christine Forrest, Jean Walker.

Pleckgate School Staff in 1974

Back Row – Mike Sumner, Roger Livesey, Peter Doidge, Frank Cook, Mr. Thornton, Mike Emery
Mr. Carter,Mike Dyson, Eric Pomfrett, Eric Hartley, Brian Holden, Mike O’Grady, Dave Settle

Forth Row – Alan Taylor, Brenda Redhead, Nick Clements, David Hook, Frank Largan, Roy Wareing
Peter Shackleton, John Hartley, Brian Pearson, Peter Broadbent, Jack Morris, Craig Rossiter
Third Row – Ray Howson (caretaker), Betty Swancott, Les Lee, Pauline Mason, Rick Grogan, Kathleen Emery
Peter Jenkinson, Jimmy Crompton, Terry Hand, Mike Hardacre, Jim Hayhurst, Jerry Hyde, Geof Eccles
Second Row – Miss Moss, Kathleen Cowell, Margaret Whiteside, Mary Whalley, Susan Hudson, Murial Bainbridge, Mrs. Ross
Mrs. Bridge, Mrs. Jackman (Secretary), Pat Taylor, Eileen Jones, Jean Edmundson, Norma Holt, Margaret Shaw, Mrs. James
Front Row – Mrs. Colbert (Secretary), Lynne Edmunds, Jean Entwistle, Mrs. Scholey, Shelley Baynam
Margaret Karpinski, Cyril Crossley, Peter Jolley (Headmaster), Edith Blackledge (Deputy Head), Mary Whalley
Mary Sandford, Pat Rushton, Eileen Wallace Jennifer Colbert, Jean Redwood

School Football Trip to Belgium in 1976.

organised by Mr. Keith Walmsley (Headmaster), Mr. Peter Doidge and Mr. John Halsall

Pleckgate School Movie- Makers fourteen year olds Karen Maddox and Kathry Hughes with Camera

The film making was organised by Mr. Dave Settle Director of Studies. The students sent three 8mm films to a National ”Let's make a Film” Festival, two were chosen for screening at the National Film Theatre in London on 16th October 1976.

Fifth Year Leaving Party showing the staff who put on the Production in 1977

Back Row – Mike Emery, Ian Morgan, Trevor Elliot, Josie Ashton, Frank Largan, Anne Taylor, Lynne Edmonds.

Front Row – Margaret Shaw, Mike Sumner, Edith Blackledge, Jack Morris.

First Year Fancy Dress Competition in December 1977

The cast of the School Production of South Pacific staged in 1978

First Year Boys Football Team in 1978.
Back Row – Alan True, Andrew Alston, Andrew Wilson, Paul McGarvey, Gary Meadows, Kennth Woodhouse, Asif Saddique, Ian Hey.
Front Row -Neil Isherwood, Howard Best, Philip Hindle, Dave Fowler, Trevor Holden

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Second Year Girls Hockey Team in 1979

Back Row – Heather Driver, Alison Belton, Jill Taylor, Alison Metcalfe, Carolyn Briggs

Front Row – Joanne Buckley, Susan Hargreaves, Joy Wareing, Deanne Gallagher, Jayne Thurston, Michelle Holden

Pupils Entertaining Parents at a Charity Fund raising Event in 1979 with
Paula Roberts singing with Najma Moosa and Julia Fleming acting as backing singers

The 1980’s era

In 1982 there was sad news for the school as Lancashire Education Authority organised two Tertiary Colleges at St. Mary’s and Blackburn Colleges and closed local school Sixth Forms including ours at Pleckgate despite all efforts to protect our Sixth Form. This led to five members of our staff moving to Blackburn College including Dave Bacon, Dave Settle and Jim Cunningham. At this same period the school introduced an Outdoor Pursuits Week for third. Year Pupils centred on a large year party attending the YMCA National Centre at Lakeside to enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits under the centre’s staff tuition. Pupils who didn’t attend the Lakeside Centre were engaged in local outdoor pursuits with school staff. The school curriculum was also enhanced as we appointed Lancashire’s first full time Urdu teacher Ateeqa Sheikh. By the end of the 1980’s the G.C.E. and C.S.E. external exams had been replaced by GCSE exams which came under criticism as they had less emphasis on longer written answers and introduced course work and the use of calculators. Another change was the introduction of modern Technology using computers and motorized micro-chip technology although equipment was expensive. Additional links were also made with local industry with the introduction of a two- week Work Experience Placement, Industry Day and Mock Interview Evenings for 4th Year Pupils. By 1987 the school had developed a strong” Duke of Edinburgh” Team and thirty-one pupils had gained awards with the team led by Tom Redhead and Cyril Gregson with organised trips to the Keswick area.

During the 1980’s there were many sporting achievements, especially with our football with teams reaching finals at Ewood Park from 1982-1985. At the same time Rugby was introduced to the sports curriculum and on the badminton side the 5th Year girls won the Lancashire Red Rose Championship and the boys’ team were runners up in the Blackburn league. In 1988 the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Year Girls Teams were Blackburn Cross- Country Champions.

Other highlights from this era include school productions with the staff putting on “The Good Old Days” in 1982 to raise money for the school’s P.S.A. and the school producing “Love from Judy” in 1980 and the “Wizard of Oz” in 1985. Multi-Cultural Development in school was enhanced in 1989 with an “East Meets West Cultural Celebration” with a variety of activities including a Fashion Show. During the 1980’s the school produced its own school magazine called “Plex-Press” which continued in later years although with changed names. School Foreign Holidays continued to be popular. vVsit were organised to Belgium, Holland, Paris, Loire, Russia and Austria. On the musical front the 2nd Year Girls won the Durham Shield at Blackburn Music Festival (1984) and David Skidmore auditioned for the London Symphony Orchestra in 1987. Throughout the eighty’s the school raised thousands of pounds for nominated charities and Nick Morley who suffered severe leg injuries prior to becoming a teacher at Pleckgate raised nearly £10,000 via a bike ride. In 1987-1988 Suzanne Liddle, a 5th Year pupil became Blackburn Mayoress when her mother became Mayor as did staff member Anne Taylor when husband Bill became Mayor. In 1988 the school held a 20th Anniversary Dinner at the Spread- Eagle Hotel in Sawley and in the mid-late 1980’s most of the School Management Team retired including the school Headmaster Keith Walmsley, the Deputies Cyril Crossley and Margaret Shaw and Senior Teachers Jim Crompton, Tom Redhead and Jack Morris. The school gained a new Headmaster in September 1988 namely Len Scott.

Archery and Canoeing activities at the Lakeside Outdoor Pursuits Centre in 1980
when 3rd Year Pupils Visited during Activities Week.

Men’s Staff Bowls Evening organised at the Butlers Arms at Pleasington in June 1981

Left-Right—Peter Staziker, Eric Hartley, Peter Jenkinson, Gareth Marks, Derek Beatie, Mike Emery, Mike Turner, Jim Crompton,
Cyril Gregson, Jim Hayhurst, Ellis Metcalfe, Brian Holden, Dave Hunt, Derek Cox, Peter Doidge, Shabir Shahin, John Clough (Governor), Craig Smith

Retirement party for Jack Morris at the Castle Hotel in Clitheroe 1982.

Left to right- Peter Shackleton Margaret Shaw, Jim Hayhurst, Jim Crompton and Jack Morris

The school’s first Year Football Squad at Ewood Park where they won the Clarence Trophy beating St. Wilfred’s High School 3-0 in the final in 1983

Back Row – Jon Mercer, Darren Marsden, Stuart Allen, Michael Tinsley, Nicky Lord, Alaster Cameron, Jason Smith, Peter Darcy, Leigh Whittaker

Front Row – Andrew Bentley, Gavin Dinsdale, Marcus Barnes, Michael Sharples, Edward Tomlinson, Dean Foreshaw, Talbot Boulton, Andrew Gaston

The “Op De Hoogte” Hotel entrance at Noordwijk Ann Zee Holland on the Easter 1983 1st Year trip to Belgium and Holland.

Second Year Girls, Winners of the Under sixteen recorder group and Durham Shield Winners for all ages at the Blackburn Music Festival in1984.

Left – Right – Catherine Aldwinkle, Sarah Duxbury, Louise Henry, Lisa Jeffrey, Katrina Young and catherine Brindle

Staff at rest on the 2nd Year Trip to York in 1984.

Left – Right; Lynne Crook, Gill Gledhill, Anne Taylor, Frank Largan, Cyril Gregson, Carol Sourbuts, Nick Clements, Nick Morley,
Peter Briggs, Eric Hartley, Meryl Urry, Ian Morgan, Barbara Hall, Kevin Dobson, Josie Smith

Tracey Heyworth and team who provided a Cabaret at an Old Peoples Home in 1985

School party posing on the 1986 Easter Holiday in Athens Greece

Left –Right; Ian Duckworth, katy Markham, Tina Fu, Karl Wilding, Jayne Duckworth, Alison Scarr, Joanne Singleton,
Catherine Sumner, Adele McGregor, Mike Sumner, Lisa Jeffrey, Marie Farmer

Fifth Year Leavers Party at the Red House, Bolton Road in 1987

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First Year Cross Country Squad who were Champions of the Blackburn with Darwen Schools in 1988 with second and third year Participants.

Back Row–Annisha Moosa, Jane Bradley, Fiona Lear, Sylvia Cummings, Sarah Brunt, Victoria Hartley
Middle Row–Michelle Hargreaves, Vicky Walmsley (Individual Winner to represent Lancashire)

Front Row–Gillian Foster, Nina Mercer, Andrea Eddleston

Pleckgate School’s twentieth Anniversary Dinner Dance for Staff at The Spread-Eagle Hotel, Sawley in April 1988

Left to Right–Margaret Shaw, Mike Sumner, Mrs Walmsley, Jim Crompton, Mike Turner

School Senior Management Team in 1988 taken in the Pond Courtyard.

Back Row–Peter Briggs, Mike Emery and Mark Brownridge.

Front Row–Geoff Eccles, Mike Sumner, Margaret Shaw, Jennifer Colbert and Tom Redhead

Rotary Club Charity Fun Run in Witton Park in 1989

Left to Right–Len Scott (Headmaster), Gordon Sudworth, Keith Hassell, Eric Pomfret, Kevin Dobson, Leslie Moulsdale, Christine Haworth,
Ian morgan, Ian Eastwood, Peter Briggs, Fred Bowdler, Mark Brownridge, Anne Taylor, P. Barton, Mike Sumner, Anne Hartley, Eric Hartley

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Third Year Group of Pupils visiting Coronation Street during Activities Week in 1989

Jamie Allen, Nabila Zeb, Nemath Raheem and Emma Swimby with the Geography Environmental Studies Teacher Lesley Davies

planting a beech tree at the rear of school as part of National Tree Week in December 1989

The 1990’s Era

During this period, the school increased its curricular links to the wider community including exchange visits to Blackburn’s Twin Town Altena, Germany with visits to Holland and France. Peter Briggs and Carol Sourbuts also developed links to schools abroad via a link to Fort Dorchester High School in Charlestown, South Carolina, USA in 1996.

The Geography Department became involved in undertaking Road traffic Surveys at Brownhill Roundabout due to local concerns over air and noise pollution and increased road traffic. The results passed to the local Environment Agency. Eventually this issue led to the opening of the M65 motorway to help divert traffic round the town and reduce it at Brownhill (1997-1998). In 1990 “Compact” was formed to forge links between industry and the school via Joan Gill. Industry Day and Work Experience continued at a pace, the school also got involved in ELTEC’s Extend Programme offering modern apprenticeships. During 1991, 1992 the school created links with the Armed Forces with visits by the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment and the RAF. From 1990 the school introduced Green Issues by cleaning up its grounds and introducing better litter bins. In 1991 we won the National “Grimewatch” Award presented to Mike Sumner by Brian Gould, the Secretary of State for the Environment. In 1997 the school started to celebrate a “European Week” and Judith Mallam became involved in Community Aid Programmes to Romania.

The Curriculum was advanced through Technology during this era with Pleckgate becoming the first East Lancashire School to receive cable TV Technology and a new multi-channel service. This allowed Modern languages to receive direct programmes from European Countries in 1991 and the school to receive a wealth of new Educational Material. In 1992 a school “News Programme" made its debut filmed via our Media Centre TV Studio in B1 linked to Blackburn College's Educational Channel. On the Music and Dance front Lee Turner was a finalist for the Young Guitarist of the Year in 1990, former pupils Tracey Heyworth landed a lead role in Starlight Express in 1991, and Catherine Grimes won a place at the National Youth Theatre in 1992 and later went on to star in TV series “The Bill". Zoe Tompkins was awarded a place at a top London Stage School in 1994. The school continued its tradition of producing stage productions with “Picture of Love" in 1991, “Hotel California" in 1992, “Dinner Theatre" in 1995, “Thwarting of Baron Bellignew" in 1996 and “Toad of Toad Hall" in 1998.

On the Sports Scene the second Year Boys Team reached a football final in 1991 and won it in 1995 together with the Blackburn Cup. Helen Entwistle our PE Teacher won Blackburn's Sports Personality of the Year in 1992 and became Lancashire's Number one Badminton Doubles player. Josie Smith a Technology Teacher at the school also climbed the Matterhorn in 1995. Starting in the early1990's the school began Summer Schools for Primary Pupils with both Literacy and Numeracy schemes together with sports activities and developed a Gardening Club using a greenhouse and created school gardens. One of our pupils Julie Warren created five huge murals on the wall of J Block corridor. The school sadly lost its Geography, Geology Teacher (Peter Doidge) and Science Teacher (Shabir Shahin) together with former Technology Teacher (Jim Hayhurst).

During the middle years of the 1990’s severe budget cuts affected the school leading to redundancies and early retirements with the closure of some local links. Later in 1999 the issue of school places reached the press and with Pleckgate School being badly over- subscribed many parents were unhappy when they failed to get their children into the school. On the staff front the Headmaster Len Scott retired in 1997 and his deputy Heather Jamieson took over with Robin Campbell arriving as her Deputy Head when Paul Oates retired.

In 1993 the school celebrated its twenty-fifth Anniversary with a staff dinner at the Spread- Eagle Hotel in Sawley and put on a further dinner for staff and former pupils in school with an exhibition of past school events and entertainment on stage by Tony Jo and Paul Sultana. Later in 1998 the school’s thirtieth Anniversary was celebrated with a Dine and Theatre presentation in school organised by Heather Jamieson. On the school site facilities were enhanced by the science labs being upgraded and a further one created (G10) during 1993 1994 at a cost of £180,000.

Former pupils Tracey Heyworth (1982-1987) who landed a major role in the main London
Musical “Starlight Express” in 1991 and Catherine Grimes who gained a place at the National Youth Theatre in 1992

School production of “Hotel California” staged in 1992 produced by twelve-year-old Ben Holt and helped by Lizzie Turner both year eight pupils

Julie Warren a Year eleven pupil with the five murals she painted displayed along J Block Corridor showing different facets of school life in 1990

Cable Seven who were brought in to show pupils how to use television cameras

Staff netball team prior to playing an eleventh Year Team in the Sports Hall.

Back Row- Mike Emery, Len Scott, Ian Morgan, Rick Grogan, Gordon Sudworth, Peter Briggs, Jane Lippett,
Student, Sue Gordon, Angela Turner, Aldwyth Pearson, Helen Pallett, Jenny Sides

Front Row – Andrew Perman, Allan Dawson Chris Dobson.

Staff members on the sports field prior to a run for charity in 1995.

Carol Sourbuts and Peter Briggs who developed links with a school in Charleston, South Carolina, USA
planning a route for their trip with a map of South Carolina in 1996.

Pleckgate School Staff in 1999

Back Row–Bob Dean, Ian Morgan, Damon Flynn, Dave Grimshaw, Phil Campbell, Rick Grogan, Mark Brownridge, Graham Windall, Dave Hunt,
Mike Parker, Rob Hamilton, Hanif Gire, Dennis Edgerley, Nick Clements, James Clegg, Mike Sumner, Alan Brown.

Forth Row–Carol Mason, Zoe Milllest, Jane Lippitt, Leslie Wilson, Robin Campbell (Deputy), John Dunsby, Gordon Waddicor
Peter Briggs, Alan Dawson, Eric Pomfret, Ken Lord, Peter Jenkinson, Asghar Ali, Fred Edwards, Heather
Jamieson (Headmistress), Debbie Woods, Helen Pallett, Leslie Chatburn.

Third Row–Shiela Wilson, Kathleen Emery, Jillian Eddleston, Rosie Morgan, Kathleen Jenkinson, Austin Lynch, Bill Harris,
Ibrahim Wadee, John Kay, Gordon Sudworth. Dave Isherwood, Mike Emery, Graham Griffiths, Wendy Bridgeman,
Sue Counter, Rosanne Jeal, Sarah Redfearn, Wendy Clarkson.

Second Row–Mesato (Student), Aldwyth Pearson, Sue Sullley, Miriam Nazeem, Jennifer Colbert, Cynthia Croydon,
Margaret Evans, Angela Stephens, Jill Cameron, Ateeqa Sheikh

Front Row–Barbara Horsefield, Kathryn Lawrenson, Naheda Hussain, Sue Gordon, Anne Taylor, Carol Soubuts, Helen O’Connor,
Diane Hacking, Valerie Lawrenson, Janet Archer, Sheila Robbins, Janet Conlon, Claire Barton, Josie Simms, Pat Rushton, Joan Taylor

Pleckgate School in the 2000’s

This era saw large and ever-changing educational development with more global experiences and major advances in technology as computers became smaller, more adaptable, more powerful and provided global communications at the touch of a button. To the dismay of an old hand such as myself blackboards started to be replaced by Interactive Whiteboards. Educational opportunities increased additionally with the introduction of I Pods, Video Conferencing and Mobile Phones and Computers.

During the 2000’s the school staff increased considerably with the Introduction of Teaching Assistants, Mentors, Pastoral Managers, Extra Technicians and Administrative Staff. At the same time Heads of Year became Learning Managers to reflect the change of emphasis towards monitoring pupils learning objectives. School also developed more International Links via South Africa, Denmark, Pakistan, India, Ivory coast and Ghana with our pupils becoming global citizens. The school’s international recognition increased in 2006 when Condoleeza Rice, the American Secretary of State, visited the school with Blackburn’s M.P. Jack Straw which created Press and TV coverage. During this period, the school also received Specialist College Status as a Maths and Computing College in 2005 and later a second Specialist status for English and Literacy. These have led to large scale refurbishment of the school’s IT and Maths facilities. The school also benefited from the opening of a City Learning Centre opened by the LEA at the front of school whose facilities are pupils could use.

In 2003 Robin Campbell became the Headteacher replacing Heather Jamieson who moved on to a new post. In 2004, 2007 and 2011 the school received good to outstanding Ofsted Inspection reports. In 2007 the school started its own Radio Station to produce podcasts that could be distributed via the Internet and strong links were also established with BAE Systems to forge engineering skills and started Pre-Driving Training days for Year ten pupils. On the sports scene Daniel Guppy (ex-pupil) became the British Ice- Skating Champion in 2000 and Years seven and eleven girls’ netball teams won their leagues. The boy’s football, badminton, cricket teams all won local competitions between 2004 and 2006. Outdoor Pursuits expanded over the period with visits to centres in the Yorkshire dales, North Wales and the Lake District with numbers involved with the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme continuing to rise.

During the 2000’s the school staged various productions including Yesterday (2001), Bugsy Malone (2002), Wizard of Oz (2003), Little Shop of Horrors (2004), Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (2005), Oliver (2006), Musical Magic (2007) and Grease (2009).

Staff Christmas Production for the pupils in December 2000

The winning team with their design project and representative during the Industry Day in 2003

Governor Alan Walsh interviewing a Year ten pupil During the 2004 Mock Interview Evening

Three senior members of staff retiring in 2004, Peter Jenkinson, Denis Edgerley and Nick Clement

The American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice visiting Pleckgate School in 2006 and shaking hands with the pupils who met her.

Staff members retiring in 2006 at an awards event at the Town Hall

left to right–Josie Smith, Mike Sumner, Mike Emery, Kathleen Emery, Bob Dean, and Gill Cameron

A picture showing Headteacher Robin Campbell celebrating a “Good with Outstanding Features” Ofsted Report in 2007

Pleckgate School Staff in 2008

Back Row-Len Trueman, Terry Stephens, Michael Stokes, Val Murrey, Oliver Pellett, Andrew Birbeck, Greg Dean, Fabien Mercier, Dave Hunt,
Michael Johnson, Sean Ashmore, Chris Smithson, Phil Thompson, Paul Kenyon, Mark Holden, Mark Brownridge.

Sixth Row–Andrew Haworth, Ben Pickup, Suzanne Torrans, John Smith, Kath Huntress, Marie-Claire Langfield, Judith Mallam,
James McKenzie, Paul Harling, Andrew Wilkinson, Keith Ashworth, Craig Neilson, Mike Sumner, Jane Lippit, Zoe Millest, John Derbyshire, Stuart Cadman, James Clegg.

Fifth Row–Lee Rose, Sue Gordon, Dan Smith, Peter Smith, Ellie Wilson, Abdur- Rehman Patel, Mike Firth,
Sajid Mohmed, Fiona Hope, Lucy Laycock? Adam Goggon, Wendy Clarkson, Leslie Chapman, John Kay, Gordon Sudworth.

Forth Row–Dave Isherwood, Ruksana Quereshi, Safiyya Valli, Elizabeth Parker, Debbie Woods, Kristina Baird-Dean,
Margaret Evans, Nichola Stanton, Susan Coville, Jenny Wilden, Katy Punch, Dorothy Fletcher,
David Cowans, Sue Kenyon, Sarah Redfearn, Ozman Kazee, Austin Lynch.

Third Row–Joan Taylor, Janet Williams, Shirley Ward, Maggie Lynen, Cathy Fleming, Gemma Bracewell,
Sam Weldman, Sophie Karolia, Ismail Kharban, Javid Iqbal, Victoria Williams, Tracey Gilland,
Belinda Brain, Cheryl Williams, Michelle Varzanda, Josie Simms.

Second Row–Janine Blears, Susan Haworth, Janet Haworth, Pat Rushton, Ruksana Patel, Aneeza Khan
Flo Gilbert, Janet Archer, Janet Conlon, Chris Dobson, Anise Mohmed, Nuheeda Hussain, Salma Patel, Afsana Patel, Gail Wilson, Shahesta Raji.

First Row–Mel Denton, Samina Essak, Anne Taylor, Tony Cozzolino, Mark Bradshaw, Peter Briggs, Carol Sourbuts,
Andy Toone, Robin Campbell, Ian Morgan, Rob Hamilton, Carol Mason, Amanda Ansbro, Ruth Cardwell, Stella Harrison, Helen O’Connor?

The School’s fortieth Anniversary held in the hall showing former Headteacher Keith Walmsley
and present Headmaster Robin Campbell cutting a celebration cake, July 2008

The Male Staff Bowls Night at Blackburn Subscriptions Bowling Club in 2009 with participants
Left–Right; Mr Loyns, Stuart Cadman, J. Herbert, Rob Hamilton, Ian Morgan, Rick Grogan Ian Eastwood

The 2010’s Era

The great advance in the school’s educational achievements culminated in it being chosen as the pioneer for the town’s “Building Schools for the Future” Programme. Balfour Beatty started building our new school to the rear of the existing one in January 2010 which was opened in September 2011. The old school was then demolished. The new school cost £25 million with modern facilities including flexible classroom learning zones with pupils receiving individual tablet PC’s and the school surrounded by attractive landscaped areas and once the old school was removed new sports and play areas.

In December 2010 Robin Campbell attended a reception at Clarence House in London to receive the Prince’s Teaching Institute Award for Geography from the Prince of Wales following a project by Miss Swales, Head of Geography. In April 2011, the Year Group 1977–1982 held a Reunion at the Spread- Eagle Hotel which was well attended.

There was also a successful school production of “Blood Brothers” held in 2011.

In June 2011, former staff and pupils were invited to its forthcoming relocation where they could also have a final look round the old school before it was demolished.

In July 2011 Ian Morgan, Anne Taylor, Carol Sourbuts and Sue Gordon. long serving staff retired. Robin Campbell retired in 2012 and Cherry Ridgeway was appointed the new Headteacher

In 2013 the school achieved its best ever GCSE results with a

The school’s annual prize giving in November 2014 was made special when Padma Patel who starred in the Harry Potter movie “Goblet of Fire” attended to distribute the prizes and speak to the students.

By April 2015, the Deputy Head Nick Ford was named an Apple Distinguished Educator following his drive to integrate technology into the daily life at the school.

In November 2015 Mark Cocker was appointed as the new head of Pleckgate High School. He had been a Commonwealth Games wrestler and was now one of the youngest heads in the country.

pass rate of 71%.

In the same year, as a reward for years seven and eight winning Blackburn School’s Cricket League they were taken to the England and South Africa T20 Cricket International in September played at Old Trafford.

Another initiative in 2013 was the appointment of new Senior Prefects chosen in Year ten for their final year eleven. In March 2013, a group of pupils were taken on a skiing holiday in the Italian Alps, whilst another group visited New York, USA.

There was bad news in February 2014 when the school was put in special measures by Ofsted due to a culture of mistrust within the school. This then led to the local authority placing four additional governors on the school’s governing body. The headteacher, Cherry Ridgeway was placed on paid leave and the deputy head Mark Bradshaw took over as acting school head. In March 2014 it was announced that Cherry Ridgeway would not be returning to the school. By April Ofsted said that the actions taken now meant the school morale amongst its teachers was now improving.

By April 2015, the Deputy Head Nick Ford was named an Apple Distinguished Educator following his drive to integrate technology into the daily life at the school.

In November 2015 Mark Cocker was appointed as the new head of Pleckgate High School. He had been a Commonwealth Games wrestler and was now one of the youngest heads in the country.

By January 2016, the school had moved to Academy status leaving Blackburn with Darwen Council and coming under the control of the Education Partnership Trust. Following this in February 2016 the school celebrated its best ever GCSE results with 58% passing grades A-C.

During June 2016, the school was placed in a top league table and became a “Beacon of Success” for disadvantaged children. During October2016 the school was placed in the top ten schools in the UK for the second successive year.

January 2017 saw some staff at the school starting a three-day strike over performance-related pay and they demonstrated outside the school. The strike was resolved via the unions.

During the month of January 2018 there was an unusual Charity event at the school organised by East-Lancashire Hospice with a “Bubble Rush” with a cannon firing out bubbles and foam into the sky, thirty Year seven pupils enjoyed the bubbles. There was also a fun run organised for the month of May.

In February 2018, the Year seven and eight football teams were crowned champions of their respective leagues.

By March 2019, the school, which had been put in special measures five years previously, was ranked by Ofsted as “Outstanding” this was a remarkable achievement.

In April 2019, a team of budding “Rocketeers” made it through to the regional finals of a national engineering competition. In July the school won national recognition at the Education Business awards in London with an “Outstanding Progress award”.

Aerial view of the new Pleckgate High School in 2011 and an internal view of its facilities being viewed by the Headteacher Robin Campbell

Staff and Pupils celebrating at the school’s annual awards evening in November 2011

Robin Campbell the school’s headteacher in his office in 2012. prior to his retirement

Demolition of the old school in 2012

All pupils were given an iPad In May 3013

Head of Technology, Helen O’Connor with year seven pupils hosting a Food Revolution Day for pupils. in May 2014

Acting Head Mark Bradshaw at the front of school celebrating with pupils after inspectors
rated the school having significantly improved after its previous troubles in December 2014

The school’s newly appointed head, Mark Cocker who started his duties in January 2016. Taken November 2015

June 2016 the school was named “School of the Year” in the East Lancashire Schools Awards.
The headmaster is seen celebrating with his pupils in front of the school

March 2017 staff are pictured celebrating as the school was recognised for helping students reach their full potential

The headmaster celebrating with pupils following inspectors rating the school “Outstanding” in March 2019

The 2020’s Era

In September 2021, the school opened its doors and hosted its first post-covid Open evening to welcome new pupils to the school prior to their start in September 2022.

In February 2022, the school became one of only eight schools in the UK to become an Anne Frank Trust Link School which promotes a society safe from prejudice and discrimination.

In October 2023, the school’s Eco Club entered a Council run competition to use recycled products to create sculptures.

In May 2024 two teachers from the school Jade Banks and Charlotte Bland were short-listed for Education Today Awards with Jade forming and developing the school’s Eco Club and Charlotte developing Shakespeare in the school and leading the school production of “Oliver”.

In 2024 Aishling McGinty was appointed the new headteacher who moved up from deputy head.

Students celebrating their exam results at the school’s front entrance in August 2021

head teacher and senior staff with pupils celebrating as Ofsted rated the school “Outstanding” again in May 2024

More comprehensive information on events that took place at Pleckgate High School between 1968-2024 can be found in Mr. Sumner’s school archive held at Blackburn’s Main Library within the Community History Department.

Published August 2025

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