THE man charged with leading Wirral Grammar School for Boys into the next Millennium is no stranger to staff and pupils.

For Mr Tony Cooper, who takes over as Headmaster next Tuesday (April 1), has been at the school in Cross Lane, Bebington, since he arrived there as a young teacher of Latin and English - 30 years ago.

Father-of-four Mr Cooper becomes only the fifth person to hold the post since the school opened in 1931 and was previously deputy headmaster.

He succeeds Mr B.J. Treacy, Headmaster for the past nine years, who is taking early retirement.

Mr Cooper - he and his wife, Carol, live in Bebington - has identified three immediate challenges - accommodation, the Curriculum for 16-19 year olds and the implementation of Information Technology.

A new sports hall is currently nearing completion, but because of the school's popularity its roll is approaching its maximum number of 1,000 students.

Mr Cooper hopes to use the opportunities provided by the school's Grant Maintained status to invest, particularly in science accommodation. A second I.T. suite is due to open later this year.

"The school is essentially about people and we have a lively, enthusiastic and dedicated staff," said the new Headmaster.

"I am utterly convinced that with this professional body we can take this successful and popular school to even greater heights in years to come. I am honoured to be able to lead them into the next century."

Mr Cooper's appointment by the governors has delighted staff, parents and students.

Since his arrival at Wirral Grammar in 1967, Mr Cooper has involved himself in many different areas of school life. He ran many rugby teams in the 1970s, organising the school's first tours abroad, to as far afield as Ontario, Canada.

Later, he was appointed head of careers and became Chair of the Wirral Careers Forum.

Mr Cooper continued as Head of Latin and Head of the Fifth Year, serving on most of the school's most important committees, until 1986, when incoming headmaster Mr Treacy appointed him as deputy headmaster.

With the school's attainment of Grant Maintained status, he was given the task of managing its expanding budget.

In addition to his work within the school, Mr Cooper was also, for eight years, chairman of Poulton Lancelyn Primary, one of Wirral Grammar's feeder schools.

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