School Information
St Benedict's is a successful 11-18 secondary school built on the south-east edge of Whitehaven. The first phase of the school was opened in 1971 as an 11-16 secondary school. In 1982 our first Sixth Form came into existence and quickly started to grow. In 1996 the West Cumbria Catholic Sixth Form Centre was established on the St Benedict's site and incorporated into the school. Students from St Joseph's in Workington join our students and make up approximately 25% of the Centre's intake. The school is regularly oversubscribed and it has grown to 1411 pupils.
St Benedict's, including the Headteacher, has 105 full time staff and 33 part-time staff all well qualified for their posts. There is a Management Team consisting of the Headteacher, 2 Deputy Headteachers, 3 Assistant Headteachers and a Business Manager.
The school has a pastoral care system based on 6 Heads of Year assisted by a Deputy Head of Year. The Head of Year plays a specific role in the welfare, good conduct and the development of the individual inside the larger school community. The pupils will also be under the daily oversight and guidance of a Form Tutor. It is the Form Tutor who should be the initial contact when parents wish to contact the school on any matter connected with their child.
The school day begins at 8.45 a.m. and finishes at 3.15 p.m. The lunch break lasts from 12.35 - 1.35 p.m. The day is divided into 6 periods, each of which is 50 minutes in length.
Click here for a map of the school
Mission Statement
Scriptural Text: St. Paul's letter to the Philippians Chapter 4 Vs 4-9.
"I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness".
St. Benedict's is a Catholic High School, which strives to provide a broad educational experience to the highest possible standards in which Christian values are sensitively but firmly presented with regard to the particular needs of each individual.
"Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near. There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus."
Pastoral Policy
The formulation of any school policy must be (for us at St. Benedict's) rooted in the Vision of Catholic education. By this we mean those values which motivate, guide, inspire and challenge all those who teach, learn and work within it. These values ultimately stem from what we are and what we are called to be as individuals and as a Community. We are called to know God who is our Father and who calls us into a personal relationship with him. We are made in the image of God and so each of us is equal in dignity, yet personally unique. We are called then to discover the goodness that is within us, our own individual gifts, and to recognise that we belong one to another, as members of one human race.
"Expecting the Best"
What St Benedict's expects from pupils is:-
- A full and active part in learning opportunities provided
- being prepared both in equipment and uniform
- adding to a good atmosphere of the classroom and not disturbing the learning of others
- courtesy and respect for staff
- being involved in what school has to offer.
What children at St Benedict's can expect to receive:-
- work which is challenging, rewarding and relevant
- listening to students who feel unhappy
- treating pupils with respect, good humour and firmness if required
- treating pupils with equality
- recognising good efforts and insisting on good behaviour.
