Charles Oxley Biography

Charles Oxley was certainly a man with purpose who accomplished a lot during his life. Have you ever wondered what drove him?

Something many people will know is that Charles Oxley founded Scarisbrick Hall and Tower College on Christian principles. At Scarisbrick Hall School and Tower College particular emphasis was laid upon the spiritual aspects of the education which would “help pupils acquire a reverence for the Bible, a faith in God and a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour”.

David Raynor, the Headmaster of Scarisbrick Hall, has written a biography of Charles Oxley’s life which is well worth a read. We hope to make that book available to all on InspirationalChristians.org soon!

CHARLES OXLEY LIVED LIFE WITH A PURPOSE (1922-1987)

Here is an enlightening message given by John Burn in a series he gave at the Christian Institute entitled ‘Contending for the faith’:

 

 

To sum the message up, Charles Oxley was a man driven by a love for God and a passion to defend Godly principles in Britain. This passion drove Mr Oxley to establish two independent Christian Schools and protest against sex shops, child abuse, pornography and blasphemy.

 

When we asked ex-students and teachers of Scarisbrick Hall and Tower College, schools that Charles Oxley founded, what their memories of Charles Oxley were, here is how they replied:

Mr. Oxley and Mr. Raynor are great. I have a lot of respect for these two men. They were very strict, but fair. They were very patient with foreign students who spoke little English. I love them.” Eddie Wong

“Charles Oxley was a man of rigid principles, but always willing to give his pupils another chance. For which I am personally grateful. His school helped define my life and beliefs.” Les Clansey

“As a pupil from 1969 – 1974 I can honestly say Charles Oxley was a bigoted zealot of the school of Chritianity that owed more to the excesses of Cromwellian Puritanism than any passing acquaintance with the, as it then was, twentieth century. Mr CP Kimber was the person who provided both inspiration and ” pastoral guidance”. Honourable mention should also go to David Raynor. I hope the school , in its new incarnation succeeds and prospers. I certainly appreciate my time there.” Jonathan Armitage

“I am really sad to learn Mr. Oxley passed away in 1987. I was at Scarisbrick Hall from 79-83. He was a gentle and kind man. God bless him.” Michael LAU from Hong Kong

“I was a pupil of Tower College from ’76 to ’79 and Scarisbrick Hall from ’79 to ’81. Mr.Oxley was a strict and strong Christian. Whenever he was around, we would do our best to be at our best behaviour. I remember names like Michael Lau and Eddie Wong from above comments, they were my contemporaries in Scarisbrick from ’79 to ’81. He imparted Christian values into all his pupils with christian messages from the bible either through himself or his staff before lessons would begin every morning. I wasn’t a christian at that time but they built the foundations for me to accept Jesus easier later in life which I am forever grateful.” Timothy Chin

“I totally respect Charles Oxley unfortunately not whilst growing up as a boarder from 72-77. Read his biography by D Raynor if you’re not convinced. Good to see some familiar names remembering this great man!” Graham Peters

“Mr Oxley was fair and devout in his beliefs. He led the school with firmness and compassion with some very interesting ways of dealing with boys like myself who were a little on the wild side. My favourite being when I did not get my hair cut and he produced a pair of clippers and took of only one side of my sideburns and the errant hair. He was a key part of my education and make of me as a man, along with Mr Rioch. I find myself thinking about him quite often and what I could have become without his firm but kind instruction.” Michael Stephenson, at Scarisbrick Hall from 1963 to 1971.

“Charles Oxley was certainly a man of strong principle and Christian belief. He certainly lay some great foundations which were well developed by David Raynor and John Sutton-Smith (both great men).” Stephen Hadley

I have had school on my mind for a while hence this e-mail. I have many good memories of school. Made some really good friends and was inspired by some really great teachers. Hazel Ledson the biology teacher for one. The school prepared me for the future. I went onto university to obtain degrees in both chemistry and pharmacy. Mr Oxley was a strict and i hope a fair man. I had very little to do with him and kept out of his way. It would be great to hear from any ex-pupils at the school at the same time.” Tahir Khurshid 1964 – 1971

“I attended Scarisbrick Hall for about six months in 1969-70 in senior high school (O and A levels). For someone from a state school background, suddenly becoming a boarder at a private school was a big contrast. I remember a schoolmate and fellow boarder called Rolly (can’t recall his surname). We managed to escape to the pub at Heatons Bridge on at least a couple of occasions on a Friday night before we got caught. Another boarder I remember was Ashworth. On the whole, I enjoyed my time at Scarisbrick, but I suppose I wasn’t a diligent student while I was there.” Paul Oxley

“Charles Oxley was a man of vision, determination and courage. He had his faults, of course. In my early days at SH, I once described him as the Visiting Professor of Triviality, as he seemed to be obsessed by boys’ length of hair, their top shirt button being fastened, etc.. It was not long before my view changed, as I saw where these fitted into his educational philosophy. I served as Head under Charles, Muriel and Rachel Oxley and retain huge respect and admiration for them all. I still have some copies of ‘The Standard Bearer’, if anyone wants to contact me for a special rate!” David Raynor

“I boarded at Scarisbrick Hall from 1981-86. I really enjoyed my time there. Mr Oxley was an extremely strict Christian (he banned Top of the Pops, and we weren’t allowed to watch TV on a Sunday… but the boarding teachers were!). But whilst he was extremely strict I also once saw a very warm, funny side to him when he took a mini-bus load of up to his “castle” for afternoon lunch. In that environment he was a very different person. I recognise the names of Michal Lau and Johnathan Bull above… Hope you’re both well.” Hitesh Patel