St Mary's College on Shear Brow, Blackburn, Lancashire, England was established by the Marist Fathers in 1925. It is now a modern college for students aged between 16 and 18. Most students are taking what is known in the UK as Advanced-Levels or, if in the first year; Advanced, Subsidiary Levels.
History
Grammar school
The college was founded as a Catholic Boys Grammar School by the Marist Fathers in 1925 and the former football ground of Blackburn Olympic F.C. was subsequently acquired by the Fathers as a site on which to build the school. It became St Mary's College RC Grammar School.
Sixth form college
The Finley-Stokes Centre was opened in March 2005. The opening ceremony was performed by the Right Rev. Bishop Thomas Burns, a former teacher at the school. The building was named in honour of former principal Michael Finley, who retired in 2008, and former deputy principal Peter Stokes, who died in 2004. A new science block was completed in August 2007, which was named 'The Graystone Science Centre'. The building was named after a former headmaster of the grammar school, Father Graystone. Following this the new performing arts complex was completed and was officially opened in February 2008, the centre has been named the 'O'Neill Academy of Performing Arts' in honour of former college principal, Rev. Kevin O'Neill. The new Arts Centre has state-of-the-art theatrical devices, including retractable seating in a multi-purpose room used for rehearsal and performances, as well as state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology. The building also includes several rehearsal and workshop spaces, a dance studio, as well as hosting a music room outfitted with the latest computer software, and a new recording studio. On 12 May Alastair Campbell opened St. Mary’s new, dedicated Enterprise Centre. This £500,000 building was funded by the No Limits Local Enterprise Growth Initiative and supported by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Regenerate Pennine Lancashire. During the afternoon Campbell held a question and answer session with history and politics students of the College followed by a book signing session before the actual opening at 3:45 pm. In 2017, allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by the late Kevin O'Neill led the governing body to remove from the performing arts centre all mentions of O'Neill's name. The body declared they were intending to change the name of the centre.
