A high school in Ellesmere Port, which has celebrated its 40th anniversary, has been nominated for the Your Champions Team of the Year award.

Ellesmere Port Catholic High School opened in September 1966 as Our Lady’s Secondary School, but became a fully-fledged comprehensive high school when local government was re-organised in 1973.

The first headteacher of the newly comprehensive EPCHS, Robert Flewitt, oversaw this great change and led the school to huge successes in 23 years in charge.

Current headteacher, Peter Lee, has been in post for the 17 years since Mr Flewitt’s retirement.

Mr Lee said: “Every school would claim to be unique, but to have just two headteachers in 40 years must be very rare these days. I think that this has been a major factor in the continued success and improvement of the school.

“Bob Flewitt realised that the new high schools needed to provide opportunities to young people of all abilities and, despite our Catholic foundation, to all faiths. He believed that all pupils should be given the chance to excel in taking O-levels or CSEs as they were, and then GCSEs, with the encouragement and belief that they would succeed.

“Despite the massive changes in education in recent years we have held on to that vision.

“Our GCSE results including English and maths and, without equivalent qualifications, remain the strongest in town and A-level total point scores follow that trend.”

Mr Lee added: “We are asking those former pupils, of any age to put aside their modesty, perhaps proud parents could do this for them, and contact us if they would be willing to let us inspire today’s young people with the stories of their successes.”

Mr Lee urges them to contact the school on 0151 355 2373 or by email admin@email.epchs.co.uk