A group of "rebel" Merseyside parents took matters into their own hands after their sons were left "disappointed" heading to secondary school.
Back in 1973, a number of parents in Huyton rented Huyton Ratepayers’ Hall for their sons who had all passed the 11-plus exam – but were not offered places at any grammar schools in the Liverpool area. In September that year, the parents said Liverpool Catholic grammar schools had refused to accept their sons, instead offering them places at two comprehensive schools and a secondary school.
Originally one class of 18 boys, Huyton parents organised raffles and dances to buy books and equipment, also paying teachers to give the boys lessons in subjects including English, history, geography, maths and science. At the time, Huyton Education Committee backed the group of parents and in October 1973, the "new exclusive" private school opened, after the boys were kept home since the school term started.
