Sacred Heart Catholic College Prospectus 2016

Sacred Heart Catholic College, Crosby2016 Prospectus

Heart of Crosby

Contents

CommunityA vibrant, caring school at the heart of Crosby and Waterloo

Aiming highHow we set high standards in all walks of Sacred Heart life

SpringboardSuccess in all walks of life begins at Sacred Heart

Catholic faith underpins life within and beyond the school gates

CreativityHow extra curricular activities are enriching our pupils’ learning

FutureWork is underway on a new Sixth Form Centre due to open in 2016

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Sacred Heart Catholic College sacredheart.sch.uk 2

At Sacred Heart, we are proud of our efforts to combine all that is good from the traditional with all that is exciting from the new.

Strengthened by our belief in the importance of long-standing values, we are also a forward-thinking organisation focused on equipping our students to take their place in the world of tomorrow.

In fact, as a Christian community we understand that the two aims are necessarily linked.

We see that a sense of identity and community, which can only come from pride in the daily life of the College, are the foundation stones for an ambitious and demanding experience aimed at forming empowered, moral and articulate citizens of the future.

That is why you will find at the College an appreciation of the importance of team-work, consideration towards others and respect for the combined efforts of all. This is our platform for the high-quality experience of school life which has been the hallmark of Sacred Heart for many years.

In the pages that follow, we highlight some of the many and varied dimensions of that experience. This brochure is your invitation to come and test out the reality for yourself. We look forward to meeting you.

Spiritual journeys

Ian WalkerHeadteacher

Identity and community are the foundation stones for empowering moral and articulate citizens of the future

Caring and achieving excellence within a Christian community 3


Sacred Heart is a vibrant, caring school at the heart of our community.

Our catchment area centres on our five local parishes in the Crosby and Waterloo area - but the College also takes pupils from a much wider area across north Merseyside.

The College is very proud of its links with its three partner primary schools,Great Crosby, Ursuline and St Edmund’s and St Thomas’.

Pupils and staff from these schools are regular visitors to Sacred Heart and vice versa.

Our links are strong. In many cases several generations of one family have followed the same route from primary school to the College.

• Year 7 to 13 pupils (pictured above) at the Upper Site’s iconic round radiator and red stairs near the main entrance

Heart of CrosbyCollege is proud of its role in our community

We work closely with staff from our partner primary schools to ensure a smooth, happy transfer for pupils from Y6 to Y7, recognising that it is a major step in the lives of our young students.

Some are naturally equipped to cope with the transition better than others.

The wellbeing of each student is our priority.

It is always a proud day when everything comes to fruition at our Welcome Mass for Year 7 pupils and their parents each autumn.

Our new crop of students are by then safely settled in their new environment, facing new exciting challenges.

The College’s links form part of a community identity which has been strong for years and continues to grow.

Sacred Heart Catholic College has its own roots in two successful Catholic schools - Seafield Convent and St Bede’s Secondary Modern.

The red brick building in Liverpool Road opened its doors in 1908, providing a Catholic education for girls from the local parishes.

Seafield Convent, as it was known, merged with St Bede’s in 1977 and Sacred Heart was formed..

The St Bede’s site is now Sacred Heart’s ‘lower school’ for Years 7 & 8, while Years 9 to 13 are based at the Liverpool Road site.

Our Governing Body is proud to count members from our partner schools among its number, and this allows us

to consider the needs and wishes of a wide range of local people.

We enjoy close links in the same way with our local parishes and count local clergy among our governors, as well as inviting them in weekly to celebrate class and year group Masses.

All of this contributes to a picture in which Sacred Heart is at the heart of its community and open to those wishing to become part of it.

This has been the hallmark of the College over its successful history.

#HeartOfCrosby

The College’s #HeartofCrosby summer festival reached into the community with a series of events including a pop-up shop, a series of talks, a music concert and partnerships with local businesses.


Aiming high


Our College is a friendly and engaging place - one that understands the importance of hard work and respect for high standards in everything we do.

We ask a lot - we give a lot too.

As well as academic success we also aim high in areas such as behaviour, attendance and uniform.

The broad and challenging curriculum

is complemented by excitingopportunities outside of the classroom.

Our 160-strong staff are experienced and highly-qualified, each committed to Sacred Heart and what it has represented over many years.

This prospectus - Heart of Crosby - is designed to provide a snapshot of life at Sacred Heart.

Raising standards and achieving success

FAQsQ. What measures are there to

help the transition of pupils to secondary school?

A. Parents tell us they value the arrangements made to help their child as they join Sacred Heart. For instance, as they are used to their own space at primary school, we allocate one yard to Y7 pupils and another to Y8 pupils. Pupils at our Lower Site have access to laboratories, workshops, subject classrooms and a large sports hall.

Q. What support is there for pupils with additional needs, such as Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

A. We have a team led by our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) who works closely with our Director of Inclusion to make sure that every pupil feels supported.

Q. When does a typical school day start and finish?

A. In line with most secondary schools pupils arrive by 08.40 to begin the day at 08.45 with Form Time. Lessons run until 3.10.

Q. What are the lunch arrangements?

A. There is a good range of food available at both sites. Pupils are increasingly opting for hot dinners but pupils may bring a packed lunch. Due to high pupil numbers we operate a split lunch time at Upper Site. The arrangements are explained to pupils at the end of Y8.


Parents and students have the chance to find out more about our College at our Open Evening and at a range of special events for Year 5 and Year 6 children.

We also welcome enquiries about admissions, offering tours or answering queries.

We are pleased that Year 7 is consistently over-subscribed, emphasising how attractive the College is within our local community.

In 2015 we had 450 applications from families wishing their child to be offered one of the 216 places available.

Year 7 is consistently over-subscribed, emphasising how attractive the College is within our local community

Many significant professional journeys begin with a grounding at the College and you will find Sacred Heart success stories in all walks of life.

Many of those making such journeys return to the College to share their experiences with us, paying back into a community which has enriched them.

Their return visits encourage and inspire new generations.

Who knows what our current crop of Sacred Heart students will achieve over the coming years?

Among notable former students tohave returned to the College in 2015 was Anthony Crean - see opposite.

He spent time talking to students about ‘a life in law’ and also attended our Annual Sixth Form Prizegiving as guest of honour.

Springboard for successDistinguished careers begin at Sacred Heart

Ready to take on the world...our young men and women at the annual Sixth Form Prom


Anthony Crean QC (1973 - 1978)

‘The school had a huge influence on my future and I have been delighted to return several times to hopefully inspire the next generation of students’

Jessica Morris (1998 - 2005)

‘My teachers at Sacred Heart encouraged, challenged and inspired me to want to provide children with the excellent teaching I received’


• Barrister Anthony Crean is one of the UK’s leading experts on planning law. He became a QC in 2006

• Jessica qualified as a teacher from Liverpool John Moores University and is now working at Ursuline Primary School

Who knows what our current crop of Sacred Heart students will achieve over the coming years?

Mr Crean also met the winners of the inaugural Law Essay Prize, to be awarded annually.

Rebecca Heath and Adam Clarke each won £500 for their essays on law, plus a week’s work experience at Mr Crean’s law chambers in London

Other past pupils to have visited the College in the last 12 months include former professional footballer Emy Onuora, now a writer and lecturer in ethnic studies and race relations.

He spoke to students about his book Pitch Black, which critically scrutinises the attitudes of FIFA, the FA and the media over the last half-century, and asks what is being done to combat the subtler forms of racism that undeniably persist even today.


We place a high premium on the involvement of parents in all aspects of College life.

Our vibrant and ever-generous Parent Teacher Association is one of the key groups of people supporting and adding greatly to the College.

From fundraising evenings to sponsoring awards at Presentation Evening, the work of the PTA is visible and present throughout the College - see our website for details.

Good communication with parents is important to us. Parents are asked to check and sign their child’s planner

weekly, providing the opportunity to comment on any issues to form tutors who will respond.

We also offer parents the opportunity at every Consultation Evening to complete a survey giving us your views on wider issues of school life.

Good home-school communication is underpinned by reporting to you on your child’s progress every half-term.

The College Council meets regularly with pupils from different year groups sharing views on topical issues with the Headteacher.

Working in partnershipParents play a key role in College’s success

‘I have many links with Sacred Heart - as a former pupil, as an active member of the school’s PTA and as a parent of two pupils - so I have seen first hand what a wonderful school it is.

‘I feel genuinely privileged to have been part of the school and I highly recommend it. Sacred Heart is a cherished part of Crosby life’

Carmel Brinkley


Last year, we took this collaborative idea further by inviting parents of the College Council to devise a new policy for marking. This year we are setting up a group to look at homework.

Pupils taking up their place in September 2016 are invited to get involved in one of our working parties and help us shape the school for future generations at Sacred Heart.

Beyond the academic, our weekly newsletter Heartbeat is produced by staff and pupils for parents and the whole school community to celebrate the diversity of College life. It is available via our website and Parentmail.

Parents also play an active role in the work of the Governing Body. Elections for parent governors are held regularly.

As part of our continuing aim to communicate effectively with our school community and, indeed, the wider communities across south Sefton, we have launched Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Both are achieving our aims of informing and engaging.

@SacredHrtCrosby


As a Catholic school, Sacred Heart understands the importance of faith in the life of the community within and beyond the school gates.

Our pupils have the opportunity to attend Mass celebrated by one of our local priests and will usually take Religious Studies through to GCSE.

They will also take part in and lead worship during Form time and at a weekly Year Assembly in the Chapel.

On Feast Days and Holy Days, the College will ask them to contribute to special services and Masses aimed at celebrating the life of the Church.

Our faith is visible in the wide range of community service activities we support, including fundraising for charities such as CAFOD.

We are proud of our Christian commitment to work for those who need our help.

Spiritual journeysRooted in our ethos of caring for each other

• Former Sacred Heart pupil Joe Kendall was ordained by the former Archbishop of LIverpool, Patrick Kelly, at Joe’s childhood parish church St Edmund’s of Canterbury, Waterloo, in 2012

• Head Girl Emily Bird (left) is one of 10 Sixth Formers who serve as Eucharistic Ministers at the College and beyond


‘Pupils cite the school’s Catholic dimension as an overriding strength, and they respond well to opportunities for their own spiritual and moral development. The quality of collective worship is outstanding’

Archdiocese of Liverpool inspection

The College supports several charities and good causes - including Cafod, Macmillan and Marie Curie - encouraging pupils to show their faith by helping those in need and distress.

One example of the College’s caring role in the global community is our support for the Waterloo Partnership.

The charity was founded in 2005 to forge cultural and educational links with Waterloo, Sierra Leone.

It has helped raise tens of thousands of pounds through a range of initiatives - improving lives 3,000 miles away.

In 2015 the College responded to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone by raising money for emergency healthcare.

Teacher exchange trips have taken place with the College’s partner school, and pupils at Sacred Hearthave benefited from learning about west African culture.

Sacred Heart pupil Helena Mimnagh said: ‘We have so many luxuries that children in Sierra Leone, who are just like us, don’t have - so, for me, it was time to give something back.’


It was Albert Einstein who said: ‘Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.’

Any edition of our weekly newsletter Heartbeat will tell you that the College is a hive of creativity outside the classroom as well as inside.

Our extensive extra-curricular life includes possibilities for all tastes.

To begin with sport, Sacred Heart has a fabulous tradition with a very busy schedule of activities and fixtures throughout the year - see p20-22.

The quality and breadth of the College’s sporting life has been recognised widely and we believe that if boys and girls have a sporting ability, we can find it and bring it out!

The arts are also abundantly represented too. Our choirs and orchestra are flourishing at all levels and regularly tour and perform at prestigious venues here and abroad.

Our flourishing drama department produces an annual play or musical as

well as organising theatre trips.

Dance and PE link up every year to produce our ever-popular Gym and Dance Display, often with help from our partner schools.

Our art and technology teams produce a large-scale exhibition each summer which attracts visitors from far and wide and showcases the enormous talent of our pupils.

Visitors are very welcome to join us at any of these public events and you can find details of them on the website or in Heartbeat.

As a Christian community, we also promote and support activities to benefit others.

Whether we are visiting the elderly and infirm at nearby Nazareth House, providing music at a pensioners’ Christmas party, promoting the needs of a children’s hospice or raising vital funds for international relief, pupils lend a hand and contribute to communities near and far.

‘Creativity is contagious’Performing arts tap into pupils’ talent

‘The school provides ample opportunities for students to experience a broad and broadening education’

Ofsted


The annual Art, Design and Technology Exhibition turns the spotlight on KS4 & KS5 students’ creativity. Our art department encourages the development of a critical and analytical mind as well as developing more tactile artistic skills. The open studio atmosphere attracts our KS5 students to work during their study periods. Students go on to work in a wide range of creative industries - although the skills nurtured through art can be transferred into other walks of life too.

Annual art exhibition showcases student talent

Drawing inspiration

Listening is an important aspect of learning - and listening to the views of our students is something the College believes in strongly.

Our College Council is one way pupils can share their ideas about making life at Sacred Heart even better. But we encourage all pupils to have their say.

School inspectors told us that ‘students are very proud of their College and its positive, friendly, supportive atmosphere... and parents and carers agree with this view.’

We value what students say and we learn from it.

What do our pupils say?Feedback on all matters is encouraged

• College Council - Euan Mason 7S, Head Girl Emily Bird 13H, Lili Pruden 8D, Jacob Mangan 9T, Max Jackson 10S, Head Boy Alex Boyle 13H, Sophie Robertson 12D and Jack Gillard 11D with Headteacher Ian Walker


Top award for teacher

Sacred Heart teacher Patrick Robertson was voted the 2015 Inspirational Teacher of the Year at the Liverpool ECHO School Awards. His citation said the award was ‘for making religious education and history valued subjects that are exciting and relevant to the modern day.’ Mr Robertson was joined at the Liverpool city centre awards ceremony by pupils James Cain and Isobelle Carroll (pictured)

‘Music is one of the few subjects that combines personal interests and academia. This means the skills you enjoy grow and progress’

Matthew Duckworth 11R 'I love art at Sacred Heart because it gives you an opportunity to be creative. It is different to other subjects because there is no right or wrong answer’

Katie Mooney Y12

‘Science is the best subject because you get to do all sorts of exciting experiments’

William Morris Y10

‘I like drama because you can be yourself and develop your own ideas’

Amy McQueen Y11

‘I just like to perform and it’s different from any other lesson because you have the opportunity to do practical work’

Orla Marland Y11

‘Music is an amazing subject because it encourages teamwork and creativity and helps you become a more active listener. It gives you better self confidence’

Elle Maguire Y12

Learning is about listening...we value what our students say, and we learn from it


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Our overseas learning trips see Sacred Heart pupils travel across Europe and beyond - providing lifelong memories of their College days.

The cultural, sporting, musical trips or simply trips to learn about new countries, are aimed at broadening horizons in a friendly, safe and supportive environment.

Our aim is for each pupil to be involved in at least one trip every year.

Examples include Barcelona, Prague, New York, Paris and ski-ing in Austria.

Check out our website for details of trips coming up this year and beyond.

Educational tripsDeepening understanding through travel

‘Personal development of students is a strong feature of the College’

Ofsted

Caring and achieving excellence within a Christian community


The sporting life of Sacred Heart is rich and varied with pupils being given the chance to participate in a wide range of physical activities. Emphasis is on participation and fun, whilst keeping our pupils active and healthy.

Pupils not only take part and excel in sport - they study it too. In addition to their National Curriculum PE lessons, they can study GCSE PE at KS4 and AS/A-Level PE at KS5.

The College is proud of its modern Sports Hall combining a fitness suite

and dance studio and two gymnasiums.

We also have large, open playing fields at both sites.

Extra-curricular PE and sporting opportunities are an outstanding feature of Sacred Heart. Every lunch-time, after school and weekend sees pupils making the most of sporting activities.

Current students have achieved notable sporting successes - including Daniel Slater and Sam Ramos.

Sport for allCollege has produced a ‘hall of fame’ of stars

Dan Purvis (2002 - 2007)

‘Sacred Heart supported me as I pursued my schoolboy dream to become a gymnast’

Dan Purvis, 24, is one of the UK’s most successful ever gymnasts. He has won gold medals at the European Championships (2012) and the Commonwealth Games (2014). He also won a cherished bronze medal for Team GB at the Olympic Games (2012) in London. He represented Great Britain at the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow in October 2015 and is hoping to be selected for Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.


Daniel (Year 11) became the English Schools Cross Country champion in 2015, crushing a field of more than 100 runners to win by 12 seconds, helping the College to 7th overall.

Sam (Year 8) is a gymnastics phenomenon who won gold at the 2015 British Gymnastics Trampolining and Tumbling Championships at the ECHO Arena, Liverpool.

PE teacher Mr Burke said: “Daniel and Sam are both extremely modest and level headed - we are very proud of them.”

• Sam Ramos

Emphasis is on participation and fun, whilst keeping our pupils active and healthy

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Double delightCollege footballers crowned Mersey champions

The College’s U19s football team achieved a memorable cup double by winning both the Sefton Cup and Merseyside Senior Shield.

The boys beat a strong Liverpool FC Academy team 4-2 at Everton’s Finch Farm to be crowned Merseyside champions.

Team coach Mr Burke, said: ‘I am delighted for the boys. They have worked so hard and can be rightly proud of this fantastic achievement.’

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At Sacred Heart we provide a broad and balanced curriculum ensuring that the academic journey through the Key Stages meets the needs of all pupils.

The curriculum is designed to challenge, stimulate and maximise pupils’ academic potential, as well as developing lifelong learners equipped for the modern world.

Our strong partnership with parentssupports the importance we place on homework and independent study.

Learning skills for lifeBringing out the best in every pupil

‘Students show a very positive attitude to their lessons... and they confidently share their aspirations’

Ofsted


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Key Stage 3 - Years 7, 8 & 9In Year 7 pupils are taught in mixed ability groups for all subjects at the start of the academic year.

Setting will normally have taken place in English, Mathematics and Science by the spring term of Year 7.

As pupils progress through the Key Stage, we set pupils according to ability in other subjects too.

Subjects studied are:

Religious EducationMathematicsEnglishScienceArtDesign technology (food, textiles, electronics, graphics, product design)FrenchSpanishGeographyHistoryComputingMusicPhysical EducationCitizenship and Personal and Social Education (PSE)

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11)At Key Stage 4 the curriculum is divided into a Core Curriculum which all pupils follow and an Optional Curriculum allowing pupils to choose from a number of subjects.

Core CurriculumReligious StudiesEnglish LanguageMathematicsSciencePhysical EducationCitizenship & PSE

Optional CurriculumArtBiologyBusiness StudiesChemistryComputer Studies/ICTDesign TechnologyDramaEnglish LiteratureGeographyHealth and Social CareHistoryModern Foreign LanguagesMusicPhysical EducationPhysicsPsychology

The curriculum for each key stage is reviewed annually and is published to pupils and parents at appropriate times within the academic year.

‘The college has robust systems in place to track and monitor the progress and achievement of pupils. The curriculum offers a good range of academic subjects to meet the needs of students’

Ofsted

Sacred Heart Catholic College sacredheart.sch.uk

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Key Stage 5 (Years 12 & 13)At Key Stage 5 students take on more responsibility for their learning, have leadership roles within the community and are role models for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4.

Each student has an individual learning pathway suited to his or her needs and aspirations. Courses available for study include Applied, AS and A2.

All students follow the NOCN General RE course.

AS & A2 CoursesArtBiologyBusiness StudiesChemistryComputingTextilesProduct DesignEnglish LiteratureEthics & PhilosophyExtended ProjectFrenchFurther MathematicsGeographyGeneral StudiesHistoryMathematicsMusicPhysicsPhysical EducationPsychologySpanishTheatre Studies

Applied CoursesArtBusiness StudiesHealth & Social CareInformation Technology

Heather Yoxall (2000 - 2007)

‘Staff supported my ambition to become a doctor. I learned from extra-curricular activities too - I’d urge pupils to make the most of these’

Eve McMahon (2005 - 2012)

‘Sacred Heart is a great place to learn. Staff supported and challenged me to achieve my potential - preparing me for life beyond school’

• Heather qualified from the University of Leeds Medical School and is now working as a junior doctor in Scarborough

• Eve has just successfully completed her degree in History at Magdalene College, Cambridge


© Design by Tick Media 2015www.tick-media.co.uk

The College’s new Sixth Form Centre is due to open in the spring of 2016 - further boosting facilities for our Year 12 and 13 students.

The block will consist of new study areas, a café, a gym and a handy shop for school equipment.

Strong performances have meant our Sixth Form numbers have grown considerably and these are very exciting times for us at the College.

We are working closely with the Archdiocese of Liverpool in the nextphase of this new development, which will become a real cutting edge facility for future generations of Sacred Heart students.

A time capsule is being assembled featuring mementoes donated by former pupils of their time at the College.

Looking to the futureNew Sixth Form Centre opens in 2016


© Sacred Heart Catholic College 2015No photographs or other material from this prospectus may be reproduced without permission of Sacred Heart Catholic College, Crosby. Photograph on p12 reproduced with acknowledgement to the Archdiocese of Liverpool

Sacred Heart Catholic CollegeLiverpool RoadCrosbyLiverpoolL23 5TF

email: [email protected]: sacredheart.sefton.sch.uktel: 0151 931 2971


Documents

Sacred Heart Catholic College Prospectus 2016