It may not be Hogwarts, but the teachers inside this magnificent school – with its wood-panelled walls and stunning grounds – know how to work their education magic on children. Tower College, in Rainhill, is currently celebrating a string of successes in areas as diverse as music, squash, tennis and public speaking.
Student Sophie Howarth is on the brink of music stardom as she looks set for a major record deal. Sophie, aged 15, recently won an international singing competition and has been recording tracks with her newly-formed band, at Faktory Recording Studios in Chester. She is working alongside Simon Jones, formerly of The Verve, and Davide Rossi, string arranger of Coldplay, Alicia Keys and Goldfrapp among others. Also making an impression on the stage – this time with public speaking – are year 11 pupils Harry Griffiths and Spencer Charlton who are through to the final of the Liverpool Law Society Public Speaking Competition. They are now busy preparing for the final in March, while, preparing for the challenge of life at university, are pupils Edward Holt and Amelia Shard who have just been accepted by Cambridge and Oxford respectively.
In the sports arena, Beth Taylor looks Wimbledon-bound as she represents Cheshire in tennis. Beth is part of Tower College’s Gifted and Talented Programme, which gives her access to coaching throughout the week. Coached at Warrington’s David Lloyd centre, which is also her sponsor, she hopes to make it onto the women’s professional circuit.
NOT FOR THE PRIVILEGED FEW This all makes for an impressive string of successes, but staff at Tower College are keen to emphasise that, despite its grand appearance, this private school is not just for the privileged few. “Everyone, regardless of their background, wants to give their child the best start in life and provide a springboard for their future,” says Bursar Marcus Taylor. The school is proud that its achieving pupils come from all walks of life and it’s clear from the fees charged that this school offers outstanding value for money. Marcus believes that when it comes to a child’s future, it could be well worth making a few sacrifices now.
He believes the reason independent education works for thousands of children throughout the region is that it provides a happy, homely atmosphere where teachers know the pupils well and the small class sizes ensure they receive all the attention they need. It is this environment that has been instrumental in Tower College’s successes.
ACHIEVEMENT, BELONGING AND COMPASSION “We have a happy, secure, family atmosphere in which pupils thrive,” says Principal Miss Rachel Oxley. And she should know, as she was a pupil at Tower College herself, along with her brothers and cousins. The school was founded by my parents, Charles and Muriel Oxley, in 1948, and the family atmosphere is still evident; staff members include past pupils and former and current parents. My father’s wish was for the school to have successful pupils in academic work, in sport and in music. My mother just wanted the children to be kind to one another.” Judging from the school’s recent successes, those wishes have most certainly come true!
