St Wilfrid's Catholic High School, North Featherstone

St Wilfrid's Catholic High School is a mixed secondary school and sixth form with academy status located in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England. It also has dual Language and Vocational specialisms.

St Wilfrid's Catholic High School
Address
Cutsyke Road

Featherstone
,
West Yorkshire
,
WF7 6BD

England
Coordinates53.69670°N 1.36317°W / 53.69670; -1.36317
Information
TypeAcademy
MottoFidem Servavi ("I have kept the faith")
(I have kept the faith)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1963
School boardBishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust
Local authorityCity of Wakefield
Department for Education URN138951 Tables
OfstedReports
Chair of GovernorsMrs B Sice[1]
HeadteachersMrs H Murphy and Mr E Larrington (Interim)
Age11 to 18
Enrolment1,604 pupils[2]
HousesBriant, Clitherow, Fisher, Gwynn, Howard, Kirby, More, Newman, Postgate and Ward
Colour(s)Blue and Gold    
Websitewww.st-wilfrids.bkcat.co.uk

History

St Wilfrids was opened up as a school in 1963. In 1998, St Wilfrid's became a Language College[3] which offers six languages including French, Spanish, German, Russian, Italian and Japanese. In 2003 the school had both an OfSTED and Religious Education inspection which identified St.Wilfrid's as "a very good school, with many excellent features".[4] St. Wilfrid's was awarded a second specialism as a Vocational specialist college which came into effect in September 2006. 14–19 courses on offer to pupils include: Health & Social care, Travel and Tourism, Performing Arts (Dance, Singing and Drama), IT for Practitioners, NVQ in European languages, NVQ Hairdressing, CISCO IT networking and Construction. It has its own swimming pool.

The April 2007 inspection by OfSTED recognised the school as "Good with Outstanding features".[5] The subsequent Religious Education inspection awarded an "Outstanding" judgement. The school has launched a theatrical production every year for approximately 20 years; the plays and musicals always draw in audiences of local families and the parents of pupils. The most recent of these productions was Sister Act in February 2018. Also the school has undergone renovations, expanding its grounds to include the new 'Newlands' building and two new tennis courts. Newlands has been used for maths, music, technology and language lessons for all year groups.

The school became an academy in November 2012. The school had its 50th birthday celebration in October 2013.

Awards

St. Wilfrid's has several national awards including the Schools Curriculum Award, Sportsmark Award, the School Achievement Award given in 2002 and 2003 for outstanding improvements in GCSE results. The Arts Council Artsmark Silver award, the British Council International School Award for outstanding global links, the Ramseys Award given to the school with the best global video-conferencing facilities and programme, as well as the Investors in People Award recognising excellence in training and development for all teaching and non-teaching staff have also been earned.[2] In February 2007 the school was awarded the Arts Council Artsmark Gold award.

Vocational

In 2006 the school was awarded a second specialism as a Vocational College. Vocational specialism means that the school offers a distinctive range of courses that provide opportunities for pupils to gain qualifications. All vocational courses follow a curriculum developed by exam boards with the help of employers. Wherever possible, links to the world of employment are emphasised; this may be visiting speakers, work placements, visits or real work. This means that in most cases pupils will be occupationally competent to carry out a job in their chosen career.

A-Level and BTEC available courses

[6]

  • Biology (A Level)
  • Business (A Level)
  • Chemistry (A Level)
  • English Language (A Level)
  • English Literature (A Level)
  • Extended Project (A Level)
  • Fine Art (A Level)
  • Geography (A Level)
  • History (A Level)
  • Mathematics (A Level)
  • Further Mathematics (A Level)
  • Media (A Level)
  • Photography (A Level)
  • Physical Education (A Level)
  • Physics (A Level)
  • Psychology (A Level)
  • Religious Studies (A Level)
  • Sociology (A Level)
  • Health and Social Care (BTEC Extended Diploma)
  • Applied Sciences (BTEC Extended Certificate and Diploma)

Language curriculum

The ethos of a language college is widespread throughout school. The curriculum includes 3 Languages; French, German and Spanish, 2 of which are taught at key stage 3 as first and second languages. In key stage 4 the department offers 3 Languages at GCSE level. NVQ level 1 language units qualification was introduced into the teaching of the department in September 2005. This has proven to be a success in both raising standards and motivating pupils to relate the learning of a language to a useful, practical and tangible work related environment. NVQ Level 2 qualifications were introduced in September 2006 and the school aims to extend its provision and training in NVQ in future years as it develops its vocational status. At A2 level, French, German, Spanish and Italian are no longer taught.

References
  1. "List of Governors". Archived from the original on 10 September 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  2. "St Wilfrid's Catholic High School, Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy". Ofsted. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  3. "Specialist Schools Home". DfES. July 2006. Archived from the original on 3 August 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2006.
  4. "2003 Ofsted Report" (PDF). Ofsted. March–April 2003. Retrieved 24 June 2007.
  5. "2007 Ofsted Report". Ofsted. May 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2007.
  6. "St Wilfrids 6th Form Courses Page". Retrieved 15 June 2020.
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