Local Life - Wigan - March 2022

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Council proposed the merger of Upholland Grammar School and Ashton
Grammar School on a new site. The outbreak of the Second World War
put these plans on hold and, as we know they were never revisited.
Just before the outbreak of war, Alfred Maggs became headmaster, and
his first task was to steer the school through the difficult war years. He
also had to contend with an influx of pupils, following the Education
Act in 1944 which stated that all grammar school places should be free
to those pupils who passed the 11+ exam. The Ox House Heyes site had
become unfit for purpose and a parent described the classrooms as
‘faintly reminiscent of the dungeons of the Tower of London’.
The local community again stepped in and help for Upholland Grammar
School came in the shape of Squire Bankes from Winstanley Hall. In July
1944 he made ‘a most public spirited and munificent gift’ of 20 acres of
land on Winstanley Road for a new school.
By the time the new facility had been finished it was September 1953
and Alfred Maggs moved all 461 of his pupils to start the next chapter
in the school’s winding history. Brian Ellis was the next headmaster to
take the reins and in true Upholland Grammar School style it continued
to prosper and develop. In 1965 Lancashire Education Committee
unveiled proposals to introduce comprehensive education in the
county, which would mean that Upholland Grammar School could be
changed beyond recognition.
Their fears weren’t unfounded as the borough saw itself as being in the
forefront of educational change and the same fate was befalling other
schools in the area; Wigan Grammar School for boys had disappeared
in 1972, becoming Mesnes High School, with Wigan Girls’ High School
also closing to become Whitley High School and then a housing estate.
In 1974, following local government reorganisation, the control of
Upholland Grammar School transferred from Lancashire County to
Wigan Metropolitan Borough. On 30 August 1977, Brian Ellis became
the first Principal of a new sixth form college opened in the grammar
school buildings. Upholland Grammar School came to an end and
Winstanley College was born.
Winstanley College has navigated its way successfully through the
education tables and is consistently ranked as one of the best sixth
forms in the country. The Upholland Grammar spirit is embedded in
the ethos of the college and continues to pay tribute to the founding
members who endeavoured to provide a top-class education by the
light of an oil lamp.
Collection of Grammar School student photos
With thanks to David Robinson a former Grammar School Pupil and owner of Mugs61.co.uk
a site for all ex pupils and anyone with an interest in up Holland Grammar School.
If you would like to know more about the school or have any information
you would like to share please go online at www.mugs61.co.uk
or email davidrobinson@mugs61.co.uk