Mr Michael Griffiths has been appointed as the new Chairman of Governors at Bolton School.  Michael is a chartered accountant and Chairman of the Mikar Group, a specialist clothing manufacturer. He is an ex-pupil of the School and former School Captain and has been a governor since 1986 and Vice-Chairman of Governors since 1998.  He has four children, two boys and two girls, all of whom were pupils at Bolton School.  He will take up his new position from January 2008.

Mr Griffiths commented: "It is a great honour and privilege to take over as Chairman of Bolton School Governors.  Bolton School, today, has a national reputation as one of the best schools in the country and since it was re-endowed by the first Lord Leverhulme at the beginning of the 20^th Century, it has provided an outstanding education to several thousand young people.  I am committed to ensuring that the standards and traditions of the past are maintained and developed to meet the needs of the 21^st century and to retain the School's pre-eminent position in the North of England.  I am also committed to making it possible for any child, who has the ability, to benefit from the education that the School provides, regardless of their family's financial circumstances.  This was Lord Leverhulme's vision.  It is fundamental to the ethos of Bolton School and was the reason why I was able to attend as a boy.  Since the Government abolished the Assisted Places Scheme in 1987 it has been more difficult to achieve, but the School now grants bursaries in excess of £1million per year and the Governors are determined to substantially increase this amount to sustain the original farsighted vision of Lord Leverhulme." 

Michael Griffiths replaces Sir Alan Cockshaw, who, after ten years as Chairman of Governors and seventeen years as a governor at Bolton School, has retired.  In 1997, Sir Alan succeeded Lord Haslam as Chairman and, under his stewardship, the School has moved into the new millennium in a very strong position; this year again saw increased numbers of applications and the School continues to provide more and more bursaries as it strives to offer a high quality education to the broadest range of young people. 

In Spring 2008, the School will embark upon a £10 million building project with the construction of new infant and junior schools on its Chorley New Road campus.