High-performing school confirms new specialism for September
St. Gregory’s Catholic College, the high-performing and over-subscribed school in Bath which was recently judged Outstanding under the tough new Ofsted framework and has just opened a new sixth form, has reviewed its specialist subjects and decided that from September 2014 more funding would be put into Performing Arts and Science.
Performing Arts has been a specialism since 2002 and the school is well known for the high quality of its performing arts with recent productions of West Side Story, Les Mis and Oliver. Many students are drawn to the school each year, and now to the sixth from, by the strength of teaching in the performing arts and the wide range of opportunities on offer.
Science will now join performing arts as the school’s specialist subjects. Science results at St. Gregory’s are well above the national average and more than twice as many student study triple sciences at GCSE than the national figure.
Headteacher, Raymond Friel commented: “The governors had a very close look at this issue and decided that the arts and science represented a very good balance. These subject areas have worked together in the past on a number of major projects sponsored by the Wellcome Trust. We look forward to developing our whole science offer, especially with our new labs in our new state of the art Gateway Building. It is a very exciting time for the school with the recent confirmation of our Outstanding status and very strong interest in the sixth form.”
Lucy Kibby, Head of Performing Arts, said, “We are thrilled that Performing Arts will remain one of St Gregory’s specialisms. The work that we have undertaken since designation in 2002 has been challenging and vast. We hope to continue to inspire and lead our pupils to success by enriching them with life changing experiences unique to us here at St Gregory’s Catholic College. We hope to continue to develop our already existing and well established links with The Wellcome Trust, The National Touring Opera and Threeways School. Not to mention our highly regarded school productions that will next year include years 7-13. Exciting times are ahead for us all in Performing Arts and we cannot wait!”
Annabelle Baker, Head of Science added, “I am delighted that Science has been chosen as a new specialism for St Gregory’s Catholic College. It has been a privilege to watch the Science Faculty go from strength to strength in recent years, resulting in ever increasing numbers of students opting to take Triple Science at GCSE and now impressive numbers of students enjoying A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics in our new state of the art Sixth Form Science Labs. As a Science Specialism, the faculty now look forward to exciting times ahead as we develop an extensive scientific enrichment programme for our students, primary feeder schools and the local community. Watch this space!”
