Liverpool is an ancient city steeped in history, home to a great number of educational institutions that began their work as far back as the 19th century. Many of these schools, colleges, and universities are still operating today. Today, we’re going to talk about the history of the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys, which changed its name and teaching focus several times. Read more about it on the liverpool1.one website.
Where It All Began
The history of this educational institution began in 1825. It was a mechanics institute, the purpose of which was to provide education to the city’s workers. Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, and Ralph Waldo Emerson all gave talks in the main lecture hall.
By 1840, it had evening classes, lecture halls, a library, and both a lower and upper school for boys. Just ten years later, an art school officially started to develop. And in 1856, the institution changed its name to the Liverpool Institute and School of Art.
It’s also worth noting that in 1844, the Liverpool Institute High School for Girls was established. It was one of the first schools for girls in the country to be open to the public. It was located directly opposite the boys’ school.
The Development of the Institution: From Success to Closure
In 1905, Liverpool City Council took over the running of the schools. The school’s name was changed to “The Liverpool Institute High School for Boys.” The institution was also known as “The Institute” or “The Inny.”
The grammar school for boys accepted pupils aged 11 to 18. It had an excellent reputation, and every aspiring intellectual in Liverpool dreamt of studying there. Notably, in the 1950s, Paul McCartney and George Harrison attended the school.
In 1985, the city council closed “The Liverpool Institute High School for Boys.” The building became derelict and fell into disrepair. One day, Paul McCartney visited his old school. It pained him to see the empty building that was once so full of life.
The singer, along with Mark Featherstone-Witty, decided to create the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) on the site of the former high school.
The former school was renovated, and in 1996, LIPA was unveiled to the public. The new institute is a partner of Liverpool John Moores University.
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA): What We Know
The higher education institution was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in June 1996. Just ten years later, LIPA was recognised as a higher education institution. It has the highest number of international students of any specialist arts institution in the UK.
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts has also earned the Gold Standard Award from Investors in People and has the highest number of Fellows and partners.
Furthermore, the institution has consistently ranked in the top ten of specialist institutions in the country. It also received a Gold Award from the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
It should be noted that in 2003, LIPA opened an out-of-school academy for children aged 4 to 19. They also opened a free primary school and a free sixth form college.
This is the fascinating history of an educational institution that changed several times. Yet with each passing year, it became even better, providing a quality education for the people of Liverpool. We hope our article was informative and that you learned more about your city and the ancient school that later became a higher education institution.
Did you know that LIPA used to be a boys’ grammar school? Let us know in the comments on social media!