School News (136)
Newman University celebrates Ofsted report
Newman University’s Teacher Education programmes have received high recognition in all categories in its latest Ofsted report.
Ofsted inspectors have graded teaching at Newman’s School of Education “good”, reaffirming the University’s status as one of the UK’s leading institutions for excellence in teacher training.
Dean of Education, Professor Stephen Rayner, said: “We are delighted with the acknowledgement throughout the report of the inspiration and impact our work has on our trainee-teachers, newly-qualified teachers (NQTs) and the children and young people whom they teach.
“Newman trained teachers acquire a diverse range of skills and experience during their time with us, which helps prepare students to meet the demands of teaching in today’s challenging educational environment. It is evident from this extremely positive report that our students’ passion and desire to continually improve their teaching skills are in demand by employers who recognise the high calibre of our student-teachers.
“We would like to congratulate our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) team and to thank our partner schools for their support during the inspection process.”
Katie North, a Primary ITE student at Newman, commented about the standard of teaching from a first-hand perspective: “Staff at Newman truly do take the time to get to know you on an individual basis. This has had a positive impact on my confidence levels, and hence improved my personal quality of teaching in the classroom.”
The School of Education at Newman University has trained teachers for over forty years and has an established reputation in teacher training, excellent education research, and teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
The report highlighted several key areas of strength relating to the primary and secondary programme inspection including:
- High-calibre trainees and NQTs who demonstrate exceptional professional attitudes. They share a passion for teaching and a desire to continually improve their teaching skills. They are held in high regard by local head teachers.
- Exceedingly strong centre-based training, which blends theory and practice flawlessly, is complemented well by specialist and enhancement learning opportunities. This accounts for trainees' and NQTs' strong subject knowledge and their confidence and competence in teaching across the primary and early years curriculum.
- The partnership enjoys a good local reputation for nurturing well-prepared teachers who are an asset to schools. Head teachers are overwhelmingly positive about the calibre of NQTs, who consistently demonstrate exceptional professional attitudes, and share a willingness to seek advice and learn from others. Trainees emerge from the different training programmes as well-rounded, resilient and enthusiastic professionals who make a difference to the schools in which they work and the pupils they teach.
- A particular strength of the training programme is the enhancement and specialist weeks. These events ensure trainees become steeped in their specialist subject but also open their eyes to a broader range of teaching techniques. The opportunity to visit schools in Sweden to explore the impact of Forest Schools is just one example, among many, of the excellent learning opportunities available to trainees.
- The outcomes for trainees are good. Trainees' attainment is high, especially through the School Direct route, where around three quarters of trainees were judged outstanding at the end of their training in 2015.
- Careful vetting of the quality of the placement allows trainees to gain experience in schools in more challenging circumstances.
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Notes to editor:
Newman University is a Catholic higher education institution based in Bartley Green, Birmingham and historically enjoys one of the highest graduate employment rates of any higher education institution in the country.
Founded in 1968, Newman was awarded University College status in 2007, receiving full university status in February 2013. With a strong reputation for teacher training, it also offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and foundation degree courses covering a range of subjects, primarily in the fields of humanities and social sciences.
It was recognised in the Top 10 UK universities for quality of teaching in the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2013 and is one of a select group of 15 higher education institutions to gain three ‘high’ ratings in the Which? University Guide.
Newman also enjoys a burgeoning reputation for research, with some outputs being recognised as ‘internationally excellent’ in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (REF2014).
Newman is named after Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 – 1890), one of the intellectual greats of the nineteenth century. While proud of its Catholic heritage, the college welcomes staff and students of all religions and backgrounds.
Our Lady of Pity Roman Catholic Primary School wins UK Mathematics Challenge.
On 22 June 2015, four children from Our Lady of Pity Primary School in years 5 and 6 won the UK Mathematics Challenge at Birkenhead School against other local Wirral Primary schools.
The UKMT Team Challenges promote mathematical dexterity, teamwork and communication skills. They also give pupils the opportunity to compete against pupils from other schools in their region. Activities included a group round, cross-number and a mathematical relay.
Singapore mathematicss techniques are currently being implemented at Our Lady of Pity and the children had great fun using Singaporean methods to answer the questions.
Katie Hogan, a trainee teacher who led the children from Our Lady of Pity said, 'this was a fantastic opportunity for the children to demonstrate their mathematics skills in a competitive environment. All of the children thoroughly enjoyed the day and we would like to thank Birkenhead School for organising the event.'
Notes to editors:
• For more information and pictures after the event, please contact Katie Hogan at Our Lady of Pity School. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Visit from Mike Kane MP
Following an invitation from the School Parliament, local MP Mike Kane visited Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe where he spoke to a group of Year 9 and Year 10 pupils about his role as an MP.
After talking about his experiences, Mike then opened the floor to questions from the students. As expected from Saint Paul’s, the questions dispelled any lingering myths about political apathy amongst the young. Topics covered a wide range of current affairs with the pupils showing that they have a very lively interest in politics and what is happening in the world.
Ms Una McCaughey from Saint Paul’s said: “The question and answer session was fantastic, it was a heated debate and an amazing experience. Mike Kane said he'd happily take some of our pupils to be part of his future campaigns!”
“The pupils asked some very thought provoking and apt questions; they engaged really well and I was proud of them,” commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “They had obviously given some thought to their questions and I think it’s excellent that they are interested in, and have a passion for, politics and current affairs.”
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Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Get Caught Reading at Saint Paul’s
Staff and pupils at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe have taken part in a “Catch Me Reading” programme which is designed to promote a reading culture and really get students engaged in any form of reading.
Initiatives, to encourage and develop the pupils’ enjoyment of reading, so far range from:
- Staff visiting form rooms to catch students reading and then awarding small prizes
- A Catch Me Reading campaign for students to upload photos
- Raising the awareness of reading areas around school for students to just relax and read
- Part of the chapel has been refurbished into a reading hub
- Reading clubs for all ages have been launched
- An Accelerated Reading programme has been promoted to improve student reading ages
Andrea Williams who is leading the campaign at Saint Paul’s explained: “Obviously, we would love that students read books, but we just want them reading so we are raising awareness of reading, be it Manga comics, magazines, online article etc. We know it will take time to encourage non-readers and weaker readers but the more we push, hopefully, the more enthused students will be. At the moment it is still in its infancy but we are hoping that, in time, students will become more receptive and automatically bring books into school.”
Ms Williams added: “The hope when everything is up and running is that carrying a book and reading becomes a second nature to our students.”
“At Saint Paul’s, we encourage all of our students to read, not just in lessons but also for pleasure,” commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “We have put together a number of initiatives to help our students not only understand the importance of reading but to also help them gain an interest and passion for reading. We are working with parents to encourage reading at home we are positive we will have many happy, keen readers.”
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Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
A Celebration of Achievement at Saint Paul’s
Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe threw open its doors to welcome former pupils and their families. The former pupils were returning to the school for a special Certificate and Awards Presentation where they received their exam certificates.
The event is the school's annual celebration of the achievements of its pupils during the previous academic year with awards being given to pupils from last year’s Year 11 for both achievement and progress.
Parents, friends, pupils and teachers gathered to recognise the achievements of the pupils and this important milestone in their lives. The event was another proud moment for the school and a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the success of the students and the staff who support them.
Assistant Headteacher, Mrs Claire Hunt, commented: “The Presentation Ceremony and lunch where ex-pupils return to school to collect their exam certificates is a high point in the school calendar. Their proud families joined with us to celebrate their wonderful achievements.”
Mrs Hunt added: “After the ceremony, parents, ex-students, other guests and staff mingled and chatted over lunch. The atmosphere, the smiling faces, the laughter and the sense of mutual appreciation between staff, parents and ex-students was a great advert for the values of our school.”
“It was wonderful to see so many young people come up to proudly receive their certificates and awards,” explained Head Teacher, Mrs Fiona Minshall. “The event recognises the outstanding achievement and effort of the students.We are very proud of them all and look forward to seeing them build on their success in the future.”
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Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Saint Paul’s Pupils are Starry Eyed!
An incredible journey through time and space was taken by pupils from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe when they watched a spectacular planetarium show at Trinity Church of England High School in Manchester.
The event, funded by The Ogden Trust which promotes the studying of Physics, introduced the wonders of the universe to the Year 8 pupils with an amazing and engaging display of the Solar System and the Universe. They were presented with a guide to the movement of the planets, the phases of the Moon and even the mythology of some famous constellations.
Pupils were encouraged to investigate the wonders of the Universe including how the Earth formed and developed. They explored our place in the Universe and “visited” the inner and outer planets of the solar system. They also took a journey into the night sky and its wonders as seen from Earth.
Mr Stephen McMahon, Head of Science at Saint Paul’s, said: “The pupils saw a very exciting presentation on The Solar System, stars in the night sky and the origin of the Universe and were able to immerse themselves in the wonders of space at this unique event. The pupils listened and watched intently as the presenters brought science to life for them. They were able to examine motions of the Sun and stars across the sky and their sense of awe at the beauty and mysteries of the Universe was palpable.”
Mr McMahon added: “The pupils gave excellent answers to the questions that were posed by the presenter and asked many thought provoking questions about the wonders of space.”
“The trip to the planetarium provided a unique opportunity for pupils to engage with the wonders of the universe and explore and experience the amazing night sky,” commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “Astronomy is part of the National Curriculum and this visit provided a very valuable experience for our pupils and enhances the learning curriculum. Such visits are greatly appreciated by both the staff and the pupils.”
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Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Wolrd-renowned opera singer to sing with acclaimed school choir in Te Deum
At 7.30pm on Wednesday 29 April, the Schola Cantorum of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School will be singing alongside one of the leading singers of our day, counter tenor Iestyn Davies, and the exciting period instrument ensemble Spiritato! in Te Deum at St John's, Smith Square.
This will not be the first time that Cardinal Vaughan has performed at St John's, Smith Square. The School has a long tradition of singing and the School's choirs regularly appear at London's major churches and concert halls. A masterpiece of English Baroque architecture, St John's will be the perfect venue for the concert's spectacular programme of seventeenth and eighteenth century English and French Baroque Music.
Concert conductor and Director of Music at Cardinal Vaughan, Scott Price, said:
We are very excited about the prospect of working with Iestyn Davies, one of the most in demand singers in the world and also of giving our first concert with early music group Spiritato! It promises to be a wonderful evening.
Ticket prices range from £10 to £20 (with a 10% discount available for concessions). They are available to buy from St John's, Smith Square on 0207 222 1601 or online at www.sjss.org.uk.
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Press contact:
Hannah Staff (Communications & PR Officer)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
020 7603 8478
Campaign launches to attract new RE teachers
‘Beyond the Ordinary’ campaign aimed at graduates and career changers
A new campaign to encourage graduates and career changers to train as RE teachers is launched today by the Religious Education Council of England and Wales (REC).
The Beyond the Ordinary campaign will highlight the benefits of a career in RE teaching and raise awareness of the reintroduction of bursaries available to cover training costs. The campaign is the first to specifically target trainee RE teachers and is being funded by donations from charitable trusts*.
817 Initial Teacher Training places are available for RE from September 2015. Successful candidates will be eligible to receive training bursaries of £9,000 per year (for a 1st class degree or PhD) or £4,000 per year (for a 2:1) after the funding was introduced by the Department for Education for trainee RE teachers last year.
The centrepiece of the campaign is a three minute video which looks at the experiences of RE teacher Lynsey Wilkinson and her students from Redhill Academy near Nottingham. It presents RE teaching as a career that is far from ordinary, and communicates the breadth and diversity of RE in schools today.
Social media, direct marketing via UCAS, and links with universities and training providers will be used to reach potential candidates.
Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of the REC, said:
“There is a growing need for qualified specialist RE teachers in our schools so now is great time to enter the profession. Increasing religious literacy is extremely important in today’s society. Issues of religion and belief frequently top the news agenda and helping students make sense of them is immensely rewarding and intellectually stimulating.
“No other career gives people the opportunity to tackle the big questions in life and to explore the impact of faith and belief on people’s lives like RE teaching.”
Campaign lead Kathryn Wright, director of the Teach RE course at Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, added:
“RE teachers come from all walks of life, from postgraduates with relevant degrees to career changers looking for a new challenge. A teacher trainee coming to RE as a second or third job tends to be looking for a subject that will offer a challenge, draw on their life skills and is different and more stimulating than what they are used to.
“This campaign is intended to capture the interest and imagination of those who may have considered teaching, but may not have necessarily thought about a career as a RE teacher.”
RE remains an extremely popular subject among students. Entries to the full course GSCE have risen 19 per cent since 2012 and the subject has the largest number of entries after English, Maths and Sciences. A level entries have also increased more than any arts, humanity or social science subject over the past 10 years and RE is recognised by leading universities as a useful entry point for arts and science degrees.
Anyone looking for more information about training to be a RE teacher should visit www.teachre.co.uk/beyondtheordinary.
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Notes to editors:
*Beyond the Ordinary is being led by the Religious Education Council and is funded by the Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, the Jerusalem Trust and the St Christopher’s Trust, with support from the National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE) and the Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education (AULRE).
Campaign assets for media use include photography and a short film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzvZTFmp6qc.
Media enquiries:
Colin Hallmark / Harriet Johnson, 3:nine Communications
Tel: 0207 736 1888
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Saint Paul’s Pupils Pledge their Support for a Safer Internet
Press Release - March 2015
Pupils from Saint Paul's High School in Wythenshawe took part in Safer Internet Day which was celebrated globallywith the slogan ‘Let’s create a better internet together’.
The pupils made pledges focused on promoting the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology which they committed to paper and were given silicone wristbands to celebrate their involvement with the event.
Mrs Claire Hunt, Assistant Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s, said: “The day offered us the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. We called upon staff, parents and pupils, to join together to help create a better internet. The wristbands and the pledges helped mark the day and our commitment.”
It was wonderful to see our pupils joining in so enthusiastically with this national initiative to promote the safe and responsible use of technology. It is vital that we teach young people about the importance of personal safety and acting responsibly online,” explained Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s.
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Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More informaiton about Saint Paul's Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or conteact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Pupils celebrate World Book Day
It was raining books at St. Antony's Catholic College as a who's who of the nation's favourite literary characters celebrated the written word.
“Improving literacy has been at the heart of a dramatic rise in academic standards at St. Antony's over the last 12 months and World Book Day provides a wonderful opportunity to maintain and drive on that surge in interest,” said Associate Headteacher Fiona Wright.
The Literacy Coordinator at the Urmston faith school Michaela Smith explained: “World Book is just one initiative in our goal to improve every single child's reading age. Each book in our library is assigned its own colour according to its reading age level with children striving to move onto the next level. We have book clubs for different age levels and also for those children who have English as a second language so we can get them up to speed as quickly as possible. We set holiday reading challenges with children having to write reports and answer questions on their holiday reading lists. We go into our feeder primary schools so children coming into Year 7 are given books to read and understand the challenges ahead of them and we have also introduced literacy mats with key principles of punctuation and spelling so children can check their own work as they are actually writing.”
Josh Donald Brown, 12, who came as the Gangster Granny said: “We all love reading books and want to read what our friends are reading next.”