West Kirby school marks centenary year with public exhibition

An exhibition celebrating 100 years of Changing Children’s Lives at West Kirby School and College is open to the public from today (Friday, March 1).

The school dates back to 1881 when it began life in Meols as a Convalescent Home for children across Merseyside.

It treated up to 1,378 children in one year, focusing on children suffering from the effects of bad housing, neglect, debility, rickets, and lung-related illnesses.

West Kirby Convalescent (Image: West Kirby School & College)

The Home’s rehabilitation in the early 1900’s offered open air wards and close proximity to the coast and sea air.

The school, which was granted the first ‘special school’ status in the UK, was first formally recognised in 1924.

It then became West Kirby Residential School in 1979 and now known as West Kirby School & College, is part of West Kirby Educational Trust Charity.

Open air wards (Image: West Kirby School & College)

Speaking of the exhibition, a spokesperson for West Kirby School said: “Discover how the roots of our school started as a Children's Convalescent Home, how we evolved to a school for children with special educational needs; and how, still to this day, our school is passionate about creating aspirational futures for children; still, changing children’s lives.”

As part of local and regional history, the school opens the exhibition doors to the public to share their story and welcome the local community to join them in celebrating their centenary. The exhibition is open from Friday, March 1 until Saturday, March 9.