ST BENEDICT'S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL in Cumbria, Whitehaven

Education Centre Information: St Benedict's Catholic High School:

Establishment Type:Voluntary Aided School
Phase of Education: Secondary
Status: Open
Local Authority: Cumbria
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Diocese: Diocese of Lancaster
Nursery Provider: No Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 1330
Number of boys: 678
Number of girls: 652
Admissions: Comprehensive
Age Range: 11-18
Gender: Mixed
View inspection reports

Background:

St Benedict's is a successful 11-18 secondary school built on the southeast edge of Whitehaven. The first phase of the school was opened in 1971 as an 11-16 secondary school. In 1982 its first sixth form came into existence and quickly started to grow. In 1996 the West Cumbria Catholic sixth form centre was established on the St Benedict's site and incorporated into the school. The school is attractively built with views west to the Isle of Man, the Solway and Scotland and East to the Ennerdale hills of Pillar and Steeple and towards Skidaw in the distance. It has a wide range of excellent facilities, many of which have been built or improved over the last 10 years. These include a newly built 10-room English, history, music and drama block with a drama studio. The school is well-equipped with sporting facilities including a sports hall with four indoor cricket nets and a fully equipped gymnasium with trampoline. It provides a wide range of opportunities for pupils to develop their interests and talents to the full. A number of clubs operate both at lunchtime and after-school. These include tennis club, gymnastics club, ICT club, dance club, guitar club, orchestra, drum club, photography club and recorder club. A wide range of sporting activities is provided including football, rugby, gymnastics, athletics, swimming and trampolining. Pupils regularly participate in fixtures and competitions with local schools with great success. The school aims to provide a safe, caring environment where each pupil is able to increase their self-esteem, grow in maturity and achieve academic success.