St Benedict's Catholic College

St Benedict's Catholic College is a coeducational secondary school in Colchester, Essex, England.[1] As the only remaining Catholic secondary school in Colchester, It is one of the top performing non-selective state schools in Colchester.[2]

St Benedict's Catholic College
Address
Norman Way

Colchester
,
Essex
,
CO3 3US

England
Coordinates51.88517°N 0.87525°E / 51.88517; 0.87525
Information
TypeVoluntary aided school
MottoOra et labora
(Pray and work)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1963
Local authorityEssex
Department for Education URN115382 Tables
OfstedReports
Head teacherJoanne Santinelli
GenderUnisex
Age11 to 16
Enrolment878
Colour(s)Blue and gold   
Websitewww.stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk

History

St Benedict's Roman Catholic Secondary School opened in 1963 as a voluntary aided secondary modern. It became comprehensive in 1976 when the tripartite system was scrapped.[3] In 1999 it reverted to voluntary aided status.[4] The school's first female headteacher Mrs Jo Santinelli, the incumbent, was appointed prior to the 2012–13 academic year.[5]

Subjects

The range of subjects taught at St Benedict's is broad. There is the traditional English, Mathematics and Science (split into Physics, Chemistry and Biology at the beginning of Year 9). St Benedict's is known as a Business and Languages College, meaning that the students have the option to be taught business skills from Year 9 upwards. The only language currently taught is French and is mandatory for most students (apart from some exceptions of students with difficulties with traditional subjects, replacing french with extra english, maths and/or science lessons) from year 7 until year 11, being mandatory to take the French GCSE. As the school is a Catholic College, religious education is included in the timetable and mandatory. During these lessons, students not only learn more about Christianity, but about other religions too, Judaism for example is part of the Year 8 curriculum. History and Geography are also included as optional choice subjects as well as occasional mandatory PSHE lessons. Computer Science (Information Technology) is also taught with three computer suites and many computers available in the Library. PE (Physical Education) is taught and there are many lunchtime and after school sports clubs. Technology is taught with the classes being Resistant Materials, systems and control, Food as well as Textiles.

Facilities

The school is equipped with computer labs and a well-stocked library. There are six science laboratories with equipment for all experiments. The Technology classrooms are also well equipped. Since receiving Business and Enterprise College specialist status, the extra funding was used to add a new business studies suite.[6]

The PE department has had a new block built with updated changing rooms (male and female) and a new gymnasium. There are two gymnasiums, a running track, long jump, two rounders pitches, tennis courts, netball courts, indoor and outdoor basketball courts and a rugby pitch as well as equipment to do high jump and indoor sports such as basketball, badminton, gymnastics, dance, table tennis (indoors and outdoors) as well as brand new outside gym equipment available for use during break and lunch time.

There is also a newer geography/business building that is separate from the 2 main buildings built in 2020/2021

Notable former pupils

References
  1. "St Benedict's Catholic College". BBC News. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  2. "North Essex: Who tops the table?". Essex County Standard. 28 February 2008. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  3. 'Education', A History of the County of Essex: Volume 9: The Borough of Colchester. Courtesy of British History Online. 1994. pp. 352–66. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  4. "Colchester school must count cost of opting in". Essex County Standard. 8 January 1999. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  5. "Colchester college principal Jo brings new school of thought". Gazette News. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 6 July 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  6. "Colchester: New business suite at St Benedict's". Essex County Standard. 1 July 2004. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  7. Joseph, Anne (17 December 2010). "My best teacher - Dermot O'Leary". Times Educational Supplement. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  8. "Zim starlet signs first pro contract". The Standard. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  9. "Elkan Baggott - Defender - U21 & U18 Teams - Ipswich Town". www.itfc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  10. "The jet-engine student tipped to break British 400m mark". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  11. "Bigger Than Us movie Mary Finn information section".
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