St Benedict's Catholic High School, Hensingham

Coordinates: 54°32′43″N 3°33′28″W / 54.545223°N 3.557713°W / 54.545223; -3.557713
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St Benedict's Catholic High School
Address
Map
Campus Whitehaven, Red Lonning
Hensingham

, ,
CA28 8UG

England
Coordinates54°32′43″N 3°33′28″W / 54.545223°N 3.557713°W / 54.545223; -3.557713
Information
TypeVoluntary aided school
Motto"A Sense of Faith"
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1971
Local authorityCumberland Council
Department for Education URN112398 Tables
OfstedReports
HeadteacherEmma Jackson
GenderCoeducational
Age11 to 18
Enrolment~1408
Websitest-benedicts.cumbria.sch.uk

St Benedict's Catholic High School is a co-educational 11–18 comprehensive school on the edge of Whitehaven, Cumbria, England. It is located between the Western Lake District and the sea. St Benedict's is a larger than average Catholic high school, which serves a wide catchment area in West Cumbria. The proportion of students entitled to free school meals is just below average. The proportion of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is just above average,[citation needed] and an average number have a statement of special educational needs.[citation needed]

History[edit]

The school was awarded specialist engineering college status in 2002.[citation needed] It has the Healthy Schools Award, and is a Fairtrade School. It became one of only ten schools nationally to achieve advanced status in study support and also achieved the International Schools Award.[citation needed]

In July 2018 staff balloted for strike action amid claims of a "toxic" atmosphere. An indicative ballot revealed 96 per cent of members, from a 92 per cent turnout, were in favour of striking. A survey carried out by the union revealed concerns were widespread among its 66 members. The concerns included a "toxic atmosphere" in the school, with worries over "a culture of fear and intimidation".[1]

In January 2019 the school was co-located with Mayfield Special School as part of Campus Whitehaven, a £33m investment in the local area.[2]

Sports[edit]

On the school campus there are four tennis courts, an all-weather football pitch, a rugby pitch, a cricket pitch, a mile-long Cross country running track, and two indoor gymnasiums.[3]

West Cumbria Catholic Sixth Form Centre[edit]

St Benedict's has the region's only Catholic sixth form centre, West Cumbria Catholic Sixth Form Centre. Courses offered at the sixth form include sociology, history, philosophy and ethics, and the sciences.[4] In the school's most recent[when?] inspection the Sixth Form achieved praise for its pastoral support and teaching standard due to achieving high pass rates, such as 100% pass rate in German studies.[citation needed] The Sixth form achieves a high percentage[quantify] of students moving on to universities.[citation needed]

Notable former pupils[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Teachers' strike ballot over 'toxic' allegations". Whitehaven News.
  2. ^ "Headteacher's Welcome – St. Benedict's School".
  3. ^ School Prospectus 2013/2014, 2012
  4. ^ St Benedict's website, Sixth Form 2012

External links[edit]