The Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, was keen to find out more about life at one of the area's leading independent schools.

The visit proved to be a largely informal affair which involved the Archbishop following the college's daily routine.

He sat in on a number of lessons including GCSE maths and A Level chemistry as well as taking part in a full-scale discussion with Year 7 geography students on the issue of energy resources and their environmental impact.

This is an issue close to the heart of a man who was born and brought up in Morecambe, close to where the Heysham nuclear power station was built some 30 years later.

During the visit the Archbishop also took advantage of the opportunity to meet as many members of staff and pupils as possible, chatting with them informally during morning break and over lunch.

St Mary's College Principal, Mike Kennedy, commented: "We were delighted that the Archbishop chose to make this extended visit to learn more about life at St Mary's.

"Our pupils were very pleased to meet him and to hear what he had to say on a range of important issues."

This was the second visit to St Mary's by a senior church figure within 24 hours. On the day before Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool Tom Williams spent the afternoon at the college prep school, The Mount.

Archbishop Patrick Kelly is pictured with St Mary's Principal Mike Kennedy and (from left) students Katie Malone, Timothy Old (Head Boy), Chad Barnes , Alexandra Formela (Head Girl) and Alex Frost.

| More...