Didn’t Alfred Waterhouse, the architect behind Manchester’s Town Hall, also design Firwood, now part of Xaverian College? Xaverian College stands as a beacon of Catholic education in Rusholme. It is located approximately two miles south of Manchester city centre. Established in 1862, the college has a rich history. It continues to be a pillar of academic excellence.
Xaverian College began its journey with the Xaverian Brothers. The Congregation of St Francis Xavier founded the college. They were dedicated to Roman Catholic education. Initially, the college was known as the Catholic Collegiate Institute. It quickly earned a strong reputation. The curriculum expanded to meet the needs of the growing Catholic middle class. These individuals sought opportunities in business and commerce.
For many years, Xaverian College was housed in a four-storey building on Oxford Road. In 1903, the college moved to Victoria Park. The original building was Firwood. Over time, the campus expanded. New buildings were constructed, and land was acquired. Firwood served as home to the Brothers until 1993.
Ward Hall, another former house, became part of the college. During the Second World War, it was used as a camp for American servicemen. Mancunian Films also utilized the exterior of Xaverian College in several films. One notable film was It’s A Grand Life, starring Frank Randle and Diana Dors. In 1954, the film company sold their Dickenson Road Studios to the BBC. This made Dickenson Road Studios the first regional BBC TV studio. When the BBC moved to Oxford Road in 1974, Xaverian inherited their lighting rigs. These rigs are now used in the drama studio.
Xaverian College transitioned into a mixed sixth-form college in 1977. Before that, it was a Roman Catholic grammar school for boys. Mrs Quinn led an expansion in student numbers in 1993. She also modernized many of the buildings. The curriculum was updated to include vocationally based courses. Information technology was introduced across many subjects.
The Ryken building was constructed in 2002. This was made possible through capital from the Xaverian Brothers and grants from the FEFC. By 2005, the FEFC recognized the college’s progress. They provided part funding for a new building named Mayfield. In 2007, Mrs Mary Hunter became Principal. Her leadership was seen as another pivotal moment in the college’s history. The college was graded as outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. Subsequently, Xaverian was awarded Beacon status.
Today, Xaverian College consists of nine buildings. They are located on two sides of Lower Park Road. These buildings include Ward Hall, Birtles, Marylands, Firwood, Xavier, Sunbury, Ryken, Mayfield, and Teresa Quinn. The Ryken building is named after Theodore James Ryken. He was one of the founders of the Xaverian order. The college buildings surround a central grassed area. This area is used for sporting and social activities.
Xaverian College has produced many notable alumni. These include actress Caroline Aherne and musician Mani. Other alumni include actor Peter Ash and writer Andrea Ashworth. Actress Afshan Azad also attended Xaverian College. She is known for playing Padma Patil in the Harry Potter films.
In 2012, Xaverian College celebrated its 150-year anniversary. The college continues to provide high-quality education. It integrates the mission and values of the Xaverian Brothers. The college was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2023. Inspectors noted that students are proud to be Xaverians.
As you stand here, remember the countless students who have passed through these halls. Xaverian College has a long history of shaping young minds. The college’s commitment to academic excellence and pastoral care remains strong.