Pupils at Penwortham Girls' High School have a double cause for celebration. In one week the school bought a brand new mini-bus to replace the run-down old bus, and sixth formers raised almost £300, part of which will help research into a rare kidney complaint. The girls organised a fashion show which featured designs from many popular town centre stores.placeholder image
Pupils at Penwortham Girls' High School have a double cause for celebration. In one week the school bought a brand new mini-bus to replace the run-down old bus, and sixth formers raised almost £300, part of which will help research into a rare kidney complaint. The girls organised a fashion show which featured designs from many popular town centre stores. | NW

15 retro photos of Penwortham Girls' as high school undergoes rebirth

By Catherine Musgrove

Senior reporter

Published 29th May 2026, 13:47 BST
Updated 29th May 2026, 14:05 BST

Do you recognise anyone in these photos?

Penwortham Girls’ High School in Cop Lane is undergoing a huge transformation.

A state-of-the-art new campus is being built on school fields next to the original 1950s school - which will soon be demolished.

The 800-pupil establishment was added to the Department for Education’s nationwide school rebuilding programme in 2022 and the rebuild is set to be completed by the end of the calendar year.

There will be modern science labs as well as a new sports hall, dance and drama studio, library and much more. The rebuild will also see staff numbers rise from 72 to 92 full-time-equivalent roles.

Here’s how to take part in a documentary being made about the school’s rebirth

Take a look back at the school through the years in the photos below.

Penwortham Girls High School Dungeons and Dragons team, back row from left Sumaya Dancey, Kim Thorpe, Sarah Walker, Sarah Richardson, front row from left, Sarah Flaherty, Kate Sullivan and Emma Dancey who competed in the national finals of the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons competition,1999.

1. 1999

Penwortham Girls High School Dungeons and Dragons team, back row from left Sumaya Dancey, Kim Thorpe, Sarah Walker, Sarah Richardson, front row from left, Sarah Flaherty, Kate Sullivan and Emma Dancey who competed in the national finals of the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons competition,1999. | NW

Photo Sales
Penwortham Girls' High School came second in a 2020 national maths challenge contest and used the money they won to buy toys for underprivileged children.

2. 2020

Penwortham Girls' High School came second in a 2020 national maths challenge contest and used the money they won to buy toys for underprivileged children. | nw

Photo Sales
Penwortham Girls High school lacrosse squad in 1979 who reached the final of the North of England Schools competition

3. 1979

Penwortham Girls High school lacrosse squad in 1979 who reached the final of the North of England Schools competition | nw

Photo Sales
Elizabeth Sibbering, Jennifer North, Michelle Poole and Juliet Ralph, the winners of the South Ribble Under 16 doubles tennis tournament in 1981.

4. 1981

Elizabeth Sibbering, Jennifer North, Michelle Poole and Juliet Ralph, the winners of the South Ribble Under 16 doubles tennis tournament in 1981. | nw

Photo Sales
Previous
1 / 4
Next Page
Related topics:High SchoolPenworthamEducation
News you can trust since 1886
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice