The committee stated that the outlay of capital required to erect a building expressly for the purposes of the school would be greater than they were likely to be able to meet at the low rate of nomination which it had been deemed expedient to adopt, and, therefore, it had been determined to take advantage of the offer of Rossall Hall by Sir P. H. Fleetwood, bart., the mansion being eminently adapted to the purpose, on account of its size and situation. It contained many suites of rooms, and an organ chamber, well suited for a chapel, and furnished with a fine instrument; and surrounding the Hall were meadows convenient for play-grounds, and very productive gardens.
The title of the Northern Church of England School was given to the institution, and on Thursday, the 22nd of August, 1844, it was formally opened by the Head Master, Dr. Woolley, in the presence of the junior masters and from forty to fifty pupils, with their parents. At that date the school-buildings consisted of apartments in the old Hall for the principal, junior masters, and lady superintendent; a dining room, 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, fitted with a general and masters’ tables; four dormitories, able to accommodate 100 boys; and a chapel, formerly the organ-room above mentioned, having benches for the scholars and stalls for the masters, the school-house itself consisting of four lofty rooms, each about 34 feet long by 20 feet wide, being detached from the Hall, and fitted up with handsome oak desks and benches, fixed upon bronzed cast-iron standards. The play-ground comprised many acres, and in addition there were convenient covered areas for the recreation of the boys in wet weather.
The school was opened with only 70 pupils, but at the beginning of the second six months the number had increased to 115, and the establishment was self-supporting.
The rules of the school have undergone some slight modifications and additions since they were first framed by the provisional committee, and no pupils are now admitted under ten or over fifteen years of age, whilst the annual payments of all pupils have been raised £20 in each case. The insurance plan of entrance was never adopted. A donation of 50 guineas now entitles the donor to a single nomination, and one of 100 guineas constitutes him a life-governor, with power to vote at all general meetings, and to have always one pupil in the school on his nomination. Other rules for the internal management and government of the school have been framed as the number of scholars has increased and their requirements become greater.
There are three exhibitions connected with this institution, of £50 a year each, called respectively the Council, Beechey, and Osborne exhibitions, (the last two being named after the late Honorary Secretary and the late Head Master, through whose exertions the funds were mainly contributed,) tenable for three years at any of the colleges of Oxford or Cambridge; and one of £10 a year, in books, tenable for three years, and founded by Lord Egerton, of Tatton. Besides these there are about eight or ten entrance scholarships offered for competition every year, ranging in value from £10 to £20 each. Of these seven were founded by George Swainson, esq., and one by the Bishop of Rupertsland. A number of other special prizes have been instituted by the present Head Master, the Rev. H. A. James, B.D.
In 1850 the estate was purchased, and since then fresh buildings have been erected to provide accommodation for 400 boys. The old chapel, which was built to supersede the one in the organ-room, has of late years been converted into a library and class-room. A dining hall, schools, class-rooms for different branches of study, spacious dormitories, and a swimming bath have all been added; whilst extensive enlargements and improvements have taken place in the sanatorium, kitchens, laundries, etc. The old school has been arranged and fitted up as a lecture-room and laboratory. The new chapel is a handsome edifice, containing stained glass windows and a richly decorated chancel; it is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It should be added that the original name,—The Northern Church of England School,—has been discontinued, and that of Rossall School, substituted, as a more comprehensive title for a great public school.
| HEAD MASTERS OF ROSSALL SCHOOL. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Appointment. | Name. | Cause of vacancy. |
| 1844 | Rev. John Woolley, D.C.L. | |
| 1849 | Rev. William A. Osborne, M.A. | Resignation of John Woolley |
| 1869 | Rev. Robert Henniker, M.A. | ” ” W. A. Osborne |
| 1875 | Rev. Herbert A. James, B.D. | ” ” R. Henniker |
A preparatory school in connection with this college was successfully established during the reign of Mr. Osborne, about one mile distant along the shore, in a southerly direction, to which pupils are admitted at seven years of age, but not younger, and subsequently drafted into the higher institution.
POPULATION OF THORNTON TOWNSHIP, EXCLUSIVE OF FLEETWOOD.
| 1801. | 1811. | 1821. | 1831. | 1841. | 1851. | 1861. | 1871. |
| 617 | 739 | 875 | 842 | 1,014 | 1,013 | 1,023 | 934 |