Our School Prayer. Guide us this day, Lord our Father, in your love, for this day is yours.

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2 Our School Prayer Guide us this day, Lord our Father, in your love, for this day is yours. May we share the love we have for you with others, for all mankind is yours. Help us with our work this day, for our work is yours. May we love and respect ourselves, for we are yours. Amen.

3 Welcome It is my great privilege to welcome you to Cardinal Newman Catholic School and Specialist Science College. Our mission is to support students as they grow in faith and strive for academic excellence. It is a simple mission that demands that the school lives and breathes the teachings of Christ. As such, we are a caring school, a school that values service to others and a school that recognises each student as a gift from God: unique, talented and born to do good. Success at Cardinal Newman is built on close cooperation with parents, parishes and the local community. You will find our school policy and practice demonstrate the importance we place on working with you for the good of your child. We expect the very best for our students and we expect the very best from our students. Students attending Cardinal Newman are expected to show excellent behaviour, respect others and strive for academic excellence. We are proud of our GCSE and A Level results, proud of our students and proud to be part of the Catholic Community in Luton and Dunstable. We hope you find this prospectus useful and look forward to welcoming you to our school very soon! Joe Richardson Headteacher Together towards Our Lord, through learning, love and faith

4 The best church in the Diocese Parent Governor Believe To be a Catholic Community recognised by our love of God and of our neighbour The Christian faith is at the heart of our school. As Christians we welcome all those who seek God with a sincere heart. The school comes together regularly for prayer and worship. Our Chaplain provides a warm and loving welcome for all students helping them to grow into good people who know what it is to love and be loved. Religious Education lessons are part of the Core Curriculum and all students study R.E. from Year 7 to Year 13. All students take GCSE R.E. and a number of students regularly opt to continue this in the Sixth Form by taking the Ethics and Philosophy A Level. During their time at the school all students will have several opportunities to take part in a day of reflection. The needs of people throughout the world are never far from our thoughts. Every year the whole school undertakes a sponsored walk raising thousands of pounds for charities near and far. Students are encouraged to fund-raise throughout the year and to develop a sense of responsibility for their brothers and sisters in need It feels great to be in a Catholic School. It is different because you are special in a different way. It feels like everyone cares and I have made loads of new friends who care for me Year 7 Student

5 The promotion of students spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a real strength. Ofsted

6 Enjoy & Achieve To enjoy our learning by using our God-given talents to achieve our very best At Cardinal Newman we believe that every child has God-given talents to develop and share. To ensure that each student discovers these talents we offer a broad and balanced curriculum, providing academic, creative and sporting opportunities that are appropriate for every child. We have created specific GCSE pathways to suit every student and offer a wide range of courses in the Sixth Form. By thinking carefully about the needs of each student we create the maximum opportunity for the success of all. It is not just what students learn, but how they learn that makes a difference. As a Thinking School, accredited by Exeter University, lessons are underpinned by a strong focus on developing students thinking capacities. This is fostered in every lesson as well as through specific lessons in Thinking Skills in Year 7 and through the opportunity to study A Level Critical Thinking in the Sixth Form. English teaching group sizes at GCSE have been reduced in size and we place a strong emphasis on providing additional literacy and numeracy support for students who need it. The teachers push you and stretch you. You don t get a chance to stagnate in class. Ciaran Cassidy Past-pupil studying Mathematics at Oriel College Oxford

7 I feel like I am part of a new family Year 7 Student

8 Aspire To respond to the contribution, aspirations and needs of all As a Specialist Science with Mathematics College, at least half of all our Sixth Form students take one of these subjects at A Level with many taking two or more. Our pupils are set aspirational targets and are supported to achieve these through our personal mentoring scheme. Every student is allocated an academic mentor who meets regularly with both student and parents to ensure students are on track to achieve their very best. Everyone is treated equally at Cardinal Newman School. You are expected to aim high and every year we send students to Oxford or Cambridge University. Cardinal Newman students regularly achieve excellence in a wide range of curricular and extracurricular activities. Individual achievements are too numerous to mention but range from gaining 100% in GCSE and A Level exams to winning the Irish Dancing World Championships or selection for the prestigious Yale Summer School in the USA.

9 When preparing lessons, teachers aim high and they plan activities that challenge their students to improve their performance Ofsted

10 There is a strong tradition of fundraising among students, who are always prompt to respond to the difficulties faced by those locally or abroad Ofsted Work in Partnership To work with our families, parishes, partner schools and the wider community We are keen to share our good practice as well as learning from others and to achieve this we are part of two key partnerships all of which provide our students with the opportunity to meet and work with different people. The St Alban Deanery Catholic School Partnership (Sacred Heart Primary School, St Margaret of Scotland Primary School, St Martin de Porres Primary School, St Vincent s Primary School, St Joseph s Infant School, St Joseph s Junior School, St Mary s Primary School) provides continuity of Catholic education for our children from the age of 4 to 19. Projects which run across all these schools provide opportunities for staff and students to work together and raise standards. The outstanding pastoral care of our students begins in the Catholic primary schools, We are unusual in having a dedicated member of staff whose sole task is to work with the Year 6 children and who spends two terms visiting the primary schools weekly, getting to know the children and preparing them for their transition to High School. Once the students have come to Cardinal Newman, the first term is spent with the new Year 7s, working in small groups to ensure that they are happy and settled. Luton Futures is a partnership of like-minded secondary schools and together we focus on raising achievement across our schools. Recent projects have been focused on literacy through a variety of activities, programmes and competitions in order to provide a brighter future and excellent standards for Luton s young people. The school has excellent partnerships with community groups, external services and local schools. It also makes an excellent contribution to community cohesion. Ofsted

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12 The relationship between teachers and students is an important strength. Ofsted Value and Respect To value and respect ourselves and all others We place an emphasis on good discipline in lessons and on high standards of behaviour in and around the school. We have a zero tolerance for any form of bullying or anti-social behaviour. Any incidents that do occur are dealt with firmly and fairly. We expect everyone at the school to be well-mannered and able to work in an environment of mutual respect. Visitors to the school often comment on the warm and friendly atmosphere that exists between staff and students. The safety and well-being of all our students is a priority. Our Special Needs Department provides exceptional care for all students who need additional support. A group of dedicated teaching assistants work with students throughout the school, individually and in small groups, to ensure that all students gain success at GCSE in a safe and nurturing environment. Bi-lingual teaching assistants liaise with families new to the country, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for students and parents who might be feeling nervous or uncertain. The overall impression that strikes one on entering the school is one of friendliness and goodwill, an orderliness. There was plenty of chatter and laughter and general feeling of mutual respect Thinking School Accreditation Report from Exeter University

13 It s great fun. I have made a lot of friends and sometimes I am sad when I have to go home. Year 7 Student The teachers treat us like adults and with a lot of respect. Year 7 Student

14 Learning for Life To be a community of truth, reconciliation, justice and peace At Cardinal Newman your child will receive outstanding care and guidance. We want our students to be fully equipped for Higher Education, Training or the world of work. Careers education begins in Year 7 when students are helped to identify their skills and talents and to develop the self-discipline, work ethos, social skills and motivation that will prepare them for the future. Time and again, local employers, organisations and agencies comment on the excellence of the Cardinal Newman students who join them for work experience, conferences and competitive events. Our School Parliament and Sixth Form Executive provide students with a forum to explore ideas, express their views and propose change. Building students confidence and self-esteem in a consistent, safe and disciplined environment with the trust and support of parents and carers is key to our success. We encourage students to demonstrate positive attitudes to learning, develop respectful relationships with their teachers and to treat each other with kindness and consideration. We reward students regularly and celebrate their successes. Students attitudes to learning are extremely positive and make a strong contribution to the quality of teaching and learning. Ofsted

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16 Academic, pastoral, sporting and social enrichment activities are highly valued and are an integral part of the students learning experience. Examples of enrichment at Cardinal Newman: Enrichment The Chaplaincy The School Parliament Sports, both local and county wide New Buzz (the Student newspaper and TV show) Students as Learning Partners Learning in Depth Project Talent Shows Black History Month Specialist Music Groups (wind, string, ensemble and choir) Whole School Musicals Drama Productions Drama Club Shakespeare Drama Festival Media Studies trip to Los Angeles Specialist Science Activities Mission to Mars Maths Puzzle Days Maths Challenge Duke of Edinburgh Award Sixth Form trip to Morrocco Ski Trips Cranfield Business Challenge University Visits for Years Master Classes Student Enterprise Literacy Awards Debating Club Creative Writing Club Visiting Poets, authors & theatre Theatre Trips

17 You ll have a great time. Trust me, 100%! Year 7 Student Annual Ski Trip

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19 Our Heritage The academic year became a landmark year in the history of Catholic Education in Luton. Since opening among the beautiful back drop of Warden Hills Cardinal Newman has been maintaining the highest standards of Catholic education to all it s students. As the only Catholic school in Luton and Dunstable, celebrating our faith within school has been a key focus from the first Mass in January 1969 to today when we celebrate and give thanks to God throughout the year. Our strong connection with our community is reflected by generations of whole families being educated here at Cardinal Newman. Many of our pupils currently attending the school are the grandchildren of the very first intake of students from A few members of our staff were also educated at Cardinal Newman and have found that the school was not only a great environment for them to learn but is also a highly rewarding place to work and develop their career in education.

20 You should come here because it s a very good school. I would say it is the best in Luton. Year 7 Student