One of Liverpool’s oldest Catholic schools, Maricourt Catholic High School, recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, serving as a pillar of the community since its foundation in 1957. Since the school’s humble beginnings all those years ago, it has educated thousands of pupils and has made a considerable impact on the academic and moral composition of the city of Liverpool over the years. In honour of Maricourt’s longstanding position as one of the city’s finer Catholic schools, let’s review some of the organisation’s history and background for those who aren’t familiar with it.
From a Grammar School of 16 to a High School of 1400+
The school was known as Mater Misericordiae High School during its first year of operation, but in 1958, the staff moved to the location that is used today. By September of 1964, the school had become a voluntary aided Grammar School under the maintenance of the Bootle Authority. In September of 1968, it took on the Maricourt name and became a co-educational comprehensive school with a total of more than 1,400 students. During that time, the school was called Maricourt Comprehensive, and it held the distinguished title of being the only comprehensive school within the Archdiocese of Liverpool.
Witnessing the Growth of Liverpool
Maricourt Catholic High School has been around since Queen Elizabeth II was only 5 years into her reign, back when Liverpool was just a small town with a modest population. During the school’s first decade of existence, culture and arts in Liverpool and the Merseyside area took off, with The Beatles being the most notable talent to come out of the area. Today, the Sixth Form at Maricourt is rated as providing some of the best Advanced Level results within the Merseyside area, consistently performing above the national average.
Sister Mary Magdalen Spearheaded the School’s Conception and Founding
The first headteacher, Sister Mary Magdalen, now aged 92, has received many ‘Thank You’ letters over the years for her pivotal role in founding the school. During the 32 years that Sister Mary Magdalen served as headteacher, the school underwent a number of changes to the structure and administration of the building. Considering her role in the founding of Maricourt Catholic High School, it’s fair to say that she’s been one of the most influential figures in Liverpool’s academic history. It’s also worth noting that the school has taught a number of professional footballers, Olympic Gold medallists, and authors.
Looking into the Future with New Developments
The Maricourt High School facilities, which are based at the old Quarry Brook House, were significantly renovated in 2011, with newly modified study rooms as well as the addition of an oratory on the first floor. As Liverpool and the rest of the world continue to advance along with technology, there are plans to improve Maricourt with computer labs and more modern teaching techniques in the near future.