History of our Preparatory School

A Preparatory School with 70 Years of History, Joy and Inspiration.

Led by Mr R. Bryan Arrowsmith, a group of parents were invited to meet in view of starting a Catholic School on the north side of Preston in 1953 as there were no Catholic schools between English Martyrs on Garstang Road and the school on Station Lane.

It was anticipated that a few pupils from the new Preparatory School would go to the Public schools such as Stonyhurst, The Mount, Ampleforth, Belmont or Ratcliffe, with the majority going on to the Catholic College.

On 28th June 1954, a meeting was held at the Preston and County Catholic Club in Winckley Square when it was unanimously agreed that a Prep School be started and be called St Pius X Boys Preparatory School. During the summer of 1954, a property 19 Moor Park Avenue, Preston (overlooking Moor Park) was inspected and felt adaptable for the school. A lease was obtained and the school opened on 2nd May 1955 with 40 pupils.

The School’s first accounts show that there were 48 pupils in the second term and 51 pupils in the third term starting 17th January 1956. The school rapidly outgrew its first premises. The school therefore moved to what had been the Infirmary at St Vincent’s Orphanage. St Vincent’s Orphanage were a considerable improvement on the Moor Park property but far from ideal. Search therefore continued for a permanent premises.

In the early 1960s, Oak House on Garstang Road, Fulwood came on the market. Finance had to be sought as the original capital of the school had been completely used up providing school equipment. The Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees and the Society of Jesus very kindly loaned money on mortgage to the school. These loans were sufficient to enable the purchase of the property and carry our necessary alterations to change the property from a house to a school. The adjoining cottage on the land was included in the purchase. This meant that the first Headmaster of St Pius X Boys Preparatory School and his family were for the first time able to have proper accommodation separate from the school building.

It feels certain that the prayers of the Nuns of the Carmelite Convent (who wanted St Pius X School as neighbours rather than a hotel or a nightclub as had been noted) were efficacious in enabling the school to buy Oak House.

It was due to the three way support of the Governors, the wonderfully devoted staff and the Parents’ Society that today St Pius X Preparatory School has grown from such ‘small beginnings’.

The School is recognised by the Department for Education, belongs to the Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference, is under the auspice of the Lancaster Diocese, and evaluated by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. The Headmaster is also member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools.

Are you a past pupil of St Pius X Catholic Preparatory School? We would love to hear from you. 

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