 Knock", "Seven Keys to Baldpate" and "The Anatomist", nuturing young acting talent such as that of Alan Badel, who later went on to appear on stage, film and television.Upon the outbreak of World War II in 1939, most pupils were evacuated to towns outside Manchester to avoid the hazards of bombing, and Burnage boys were sent to Leek, Ashbourne and Wirksworth.Many former pupils of the school served in the forces during the war and 50 old boys were killed in action, later commemorated in a memorial plaque in the school hall.