Queen Mary School was erected at Fairhaven (on part of the old Fairhaven Golf Club links) on Clifton Drive, alongside Kin Edward VII School. It was as a Grammar School for Girls built by the Lytham Charity Foundation and opened in 1930.The schools entered the state system as direct grant school under the 1944 Education Act which meant that there were fee-paying and eleven-plus students.

To quote the current prospectus "During the 1970s this grant was removed by the government, to be replaced in the 1980s by the Assisted Places scheme. When this in turn was removed following the 1997 General Election, the Governors announced the merger of the two schools. King Edward VII and Queen Mary School was officially opened by Sir Richard Evans, Chairman of BAE Systems, in 2000. In September 2003 the school moved to the King Edward site, which benefited from extensive redevelopment."

Barrett Homes developed the school site which they named 'Queens Manor' with "A Mix Of Predominantly One And Two Bedroom Apartments Of Many Differing Sizes, Together With A Limited Number Of Three Bedroom Mews Style Houses." Prices in November, 2008 were from £206,050 to £251,700.

Queen Mary School under construction 1929.

Private Schools - Fostering the Individual Child.

The opening of Queen Mary School in September will be an event of considerable importance to local education. It will increase the facilities for public education, the effect of which may be felt, for a time, by the private schools. But this effect, we believe, will be of a temporary character only. The borough is growing, and in the nature of things pupils will increase in number for all schools, demanding more educational facilities.

Queen Mary School opened in 1930.

The private schools, which have maintained their high tone and ex­cellence for half a century in Lytham St.Annes, will continue to prosper. Before ever golf had brought fame to this district the private schools were renowned throughout the kingdom. Their chief characteristics were the numerous successes in public examinations and the supreme healthiness of residence on the coast-the dustless breezes of the Irish Sea. As the borough develops these features of the private school will be maintained.

 
Girls from Queen Mary School aboard the Queen Mary at Clydebank, 1936.
To view film footage - a Pathe News clip - of the girls at Clydebank, see "1936" in the "BOOKS" section of this website.


Queen Mary School Speech Day at Lytham Palace Cinema c1955.

There is room for public schools and private schools. Then, again, the schools of Lytham Charities are not boarding establishments, although several unsuccessful attempts have been made to introduce a limited number of boarders into King Edward VIl. School. To open these public schools to boarders would be a misapplication of the funds of a public charity which was founded for the education of “poor " children. Notwithstand­ing the great increase in elementary and secondary school facilities in Blackpool the private enterprise schools maintain their high charac­ter. All the children of our borough could not be educated in the existing public schools, and the healthiness of our coast will, as it has done for five decades, continue to attract children from many parts of the country.

A Broadminded View.

The principal of Saxonholme School - Mrs. Thornley, B.A. - views this matter with broad-minded common-sense. Speaking on prize day Miss Thornley said:

Queen Mary School Speech Day at Lytham Palace Cinema c1955.

The number 3 bus passing the school in 1965.

A crowd of over 3,000 watch Lancashire v Australia Hockey at QMS.

'' Private schools in St. Annes have now to face the competition of our new rival, which opens in September. The way to face this is not by belittling its work or its attractions. Such schools are sound. I know, for I was a specialist in a similar school for some years. They have what one might describe as a certain 'momen­tum,' which comes from size and money, and in their own sphere they perform a useful service to the com­munity.”

"But the work of the private schools, while being equally efficient, goes further. It is from the nature, of our respective organisations, accomplished with less rigidity. Our numbers are fewer, our timetables more elastic, and we can and do foster the individual child and develop her to the uttermost of her powers. We are able to study each individual pupil - her health, her temperament, her weaknesses and her gifts - and give to her that extra personal care and attention which are so very essential, but impossible to give in a large school."

That admirable, reasonable and cheerful view will be appreciated and endorsed by the principals of the private schools of the borough." Never has there been more need for the private school, with its personal influence, than to-day," said Miss Low, M.A., at the St.Annes College prize day, and the Mayor, in appreciating the good work of private schools, remarked that there would always be schools of that kind. The long lists of successes in the public examinations provide proof positive that such schools, with their “personal influence," are fulfilling a great and creditable part in our community. Long may they prosper!