St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
St. Benet Biscop High School is a renowned Roman Catholic selective high school in Bedlington
, Northumberland
. It is the only Catholic high school in the county. The school specialises in Enterprise, though also places a significant emphasis on the Arts and Religious Education.
It is currently the first and only school in the United Kingdom
that has set up its own social enterprise business.
In 2006, the School upgraded one of the school halls into a new conference centre including two new ICT rooms and two conference rooms which can be rented out by the public.. The School boasts state of the art facilities including recording studios, abundant IT facilities, an on-site swimming pool
, a well-equipped fitness gym
nasium a new, professional standard Drama Studio and extensively large grounds used for sports. Said Arts facilities of the School, known as the Admit Centre (Art, Drama, Music and Information Technology Centre) are, after school hours, available to be rented out privately to the public.
The School's current serving Headmaster is Mr Nick Bowen who has been instrumental in maintaining the School's high reputation and public standing, and in securing donations and sponsorship of the School by The Co-operative Group
.
's only Catholic
High School is St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School. It is noted for its sponsorship received from the Co-operative group, its high academic standards and its involvement in the local community in the fields of performance and the promotion of ethical business practise and Catholicism. It is highly regarded and interviews all its non-Catholic applicants before offering places.
One said, "St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School, is without a doubt an incredible establishment. Its high standards in education and behaviour have afforded it a well deserved reputation for academic excellence."
The school's Sister School is Collège Privé Sainte-Thérèse, in Frontignan, Southern France
; and the school maintains strong links with El colegio ferroviario de Córdoba
, in Andalusia
, Southern Spain
. Regular school trips include these two destinations, along with New York
, Paris
, Rome
, the Alps
, the Hexham
and Newcastle
Diocesan Youth Ministry Team Youth Village, Ushaw College
(a seminary for the formation of Catholic priests, deacons, religious and lay ministers) and Minsteracres Catholic Retreat Centre.
St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School is the first and only school in the UK to date to have founded a fully functioning independent business, which was visited by The Princess Royal
in 2008. In October 2008 the school hosted the Wansbeck
Business Award Ceremony, which was presented by Jayne Middlemiss
, and earlier that year Sir John Hall
, a renowned international businessman and founder of the MetroCentre, was a guest orator at a similar event hosted by the school.
On 15 January 2009, the school appeared on GMTV
to raise awareness for fitness
and healthy eating. The show's Mr Motivator commented "this school is a real example to all schools across the UK in that they have, as part of their curriculum
, Dance
, Music
and Theatre
which are all good things to get teenagers and kids of any age into shape." Later in the show Dr Hilary Jones
applauded the school's healthy diet.
The school's colours are black and red, which feature prominently in the uniform.
Catholicism
forms an integral part of life at St. Benet Biscop High School. A large stained glass window in the main foyer depicting St. Benedict Biscop
himself, as well as other aspects of the school's ethos. The image of the window is often used throughout the school as a symbol of the school's identity. For example, it is the image on the front of the students' planners and it adorns the welcome signs at the school's gates. To mark its unveiling in the year 2000 each student was presented with a biography of the life of the school's patron saint. The Feast of Saint Benet Biscop is celebrated every year on January 12 with Mass attended by all staff and students.
Regular Liturgical services are held in St. Benet Biscop Catholic High, as well as Mass given by local Priests from the Ecclesiastical Diocese. Prayer and contemplation are regular during the school day, with most classes starting with the School Prayer or contemplation. The St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School's Motto is Pax Christi. This Motto is represented on the School's badge.
Every year, students are invited to attend the Diocesan Annual Youth Festival, organised by the Youth Ministry Team. The event seeks to strengthen the faith of the students through providing opportunities of Prayer, Contemplation and a range of activities involving Drama and Music.
In 2008 all students were taken to the City Hall in Newcastle Upon Tyne
to see a talk given by Sister Helen Prejean - a Catholic Nun
from the USA who has been a notable critic of the Death Penalty, and whose story is portrayed by Susan Sarandon
in the film adaptation of her book entitled Dead Man Walking. The school was represented at World Youth Day
2008 in Sydney
, Australia
.
Mass is normally held in the school, though is occasionally held in the nearby St. Bede's Roman Catholic Church in Bedlington. Whist Mass is given in the traditional Catholic way, Liturgies often involve performances of pupils in the form of drama, music and singing. Students are invited to take part in the Liturgies, thus promoting active worship.
A Crucifix
or religious Icon
hangs on the wall of every teaching room, most offices, the school foyer and the main hall. The words "I have come that you may have life and live it to the full" (John 10:10) are quoted throughout school, and used to adorn a large banner which hung in the "Top Hall", prior to its refurbishment.
St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
of the Ecclesiastical province of Liverpool. The current Biscop of the Diocese is Séamus Cunningham
, who will receive his episcopal consecration on March 20 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Diocesan patrons are Our Blessed Lady Immaculate (8 December) and Saint Cuthbert, Bishop and Confessor (20 March).
Religious Education
English Literature
English language
Mathematics
Science
comprising Chemistry
, Physics
and Biology
French
Spanish
History
Geography
Music
Art
Technology
comprising Resistant Materials, Graphics
, Textiles and Food Technology
Physical Education
comprising Sports, Gymnastics
and Dance
Business
and Communication
Systems
When pupils reach GCSE level, Religious Education
, English Literature
, English Language
, Mathematics
, Science
and BACS remain compulsory for all. Attendance to Physical Education
is obligatory, though this is a separate class to GCSE PE. Students then chose four or more of the remaining "electives" or non-compulsory lessons, and continue these to GCSE level. At GCSE, the subjects ICT, Business Studies
and Drama
and Theatre
Sudies also become optional subjects.
All students who which to remain in St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School for VIth Form must have achieved GCSE results which are above a grade boundary which is agreed annually (and is generally reasonably high). Most students at the School study five subjects in VIth form including General Studies
which all students are bound to do by default. At A-Level, Religious Education
becomes Religious Studies
of Philosophy
and Ethics
, which remains one of the most popular electives in VIth Form.
"Core Studies" is one hour a week of the school timetable which is dedicated to the pastoral care of students - a priority at the School. The lesson normally comprises Roman Catholic Guidance and Philosophy
, and one-on-one meetings with tutors to discuss academic progress or personal issues. In the summer months it is often dedicated to examination revision. The hour also remains the standard time in which one would hold a Mass or Liturgy.
BISH and COPPER
Students of St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School are grouped into either "BISH" or "COPT" in a system which replaced the old House System. Each year in the lower school is divided into the classes B,I,S,H,C,O,P and T. Classes B,I,S,H are referred to as "BISH" and the remaining classes form "COPT". Thus the form classes of year nine would be 9B, 91, 95, 9H, 9C, 9Ø, 9P and 9T. "O" classes are normally expressed by an "Ø" rather than "O" to distinguish it from the number zero. Setting is done according to ability and group in subjects such as Science and Maths.
The system originally included only the letters B,I,S,C,O and P (to spell "Biscop"), but classes "H" and "T" were later added to maintain low class sizes. The two groups are divided in the School - rarely will a pupil in BISH be taught with a pupil in COPT, with the exceptio
n of in the VIth form.
In assemblies BISH pupils sit on the Orator's right, and COPT on their left.
But for lessons, the groups are united in all other aspects of the School - students dine and attend Liturgies and Mass
together, regardless of whether they are in BISH or COPT.
called Benet Enterprises Ltd. - the first of its kind in the UK. The company functions as an events management service promoting enterprise in the region, and any profits are invested back into the business. It has been hailed unanimously as a great success, with a £70,000 turnover
in its first year, and a projected £200,000 by the end of year three. The School's Headmaster, Mr N. Bowen, said in an interview with the Journal
, that
The Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) has invested £90,000 in the project. Alcan
has also donated funds to the project, and Wyn Jones, managing director of Alcan, said: "It is pleasing to know that Alcan's donation is being used to fund projects as innovative and inspiring as Benet Enterprise
, with the town of Cramlington
becoming the first in the region to transfer to two-tier education. This has led to the creation of the newly opened Cramlington Learning Village
. Children in years 8 and 9 of St. Peter's R.C Middle School in Cramlington opted not to attend the Cramlington Learning Village
due to its secular status, however, their natural High School, St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School, is situated in Bedlington
, where the move toward two-tier education had not yet begun. St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School, in response to the dilemma, was forced to construct a new facility to accommodate the pupils of St. Peter's R.C Middle School on their grounds. This is seen to highlight the logistical problems with the change-over, however the merging was widely viewed as successful, merely complicated.
, UK Basketball player Alan Hoyle, Kevin McDonnell, Founder-Managing Director at Oricom International (http://www.oricom.com.au/oricom/about-oricom).
Bedlington
Bedlington is a town in Northumberland, to the north of the Tyne and Wear urban area. It lies north of Newcastle and southeast of the county town of Morpeth. Other nearby places include Ashington to the north northeast, Blyth to the east and Cramlington to the south.The parish of Bedlington...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
. It is the only Catholic high school in the county. The school specialises in Enterprise, though also places a significant emphasis on the Arts and Religious Education.
It is currently the first and only school in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
that has set up its own social enterprise business.
In 2006, the School upgraded one of the school halls into a new conference centre including two new ICT rooms and two conference rooms which can be rented out by the public.. The School boasts state of the art facilities including recording studios, abundant IT facilities, an on-site swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
, a well-equipped fitness gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium a new, professional standard Drama Studio and extensively large grounds used for sports. Said Arts facilities of the School, known as the Admit Centre (Art, Drama, Music and Information Technology Centre) are, after school hours, available to be rented out privately to the public.
The School's current serving Headmaster is Mr Nick Bowen who has been instrumental in maintaining the School's high reputation and public standing, and in securing donations and sponsorship of the School by The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group Ltd. is a United Kingdom consumer cooperative with a diverse range of business interests. It is co-operatively run and owned by its members. It is the largest organisation of this type in the world, with over 5.5 million members, who all have a say in how the business is...
.
Reputation and public image
The county of NorthumberlandNorthumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
's only Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
High School is St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School. It is noted for its sponsorship received from the Co-operative group, its high academic standards and its involvement in the local community in the fields of performance and the promotion of ethical business practise and Catholicism. It is highly regarded and interviews all its non-Catholic applicants before offering places.
One said, "St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School, is without a doubt an incredible establishment. Its high standards in education and behaviour have afforded it a well deserved reputation for academic excellence."
The school's Sister School is Collège Privé Sainte-Thérèse, in Frontignan, Southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
; and the school maintains strong links with El colegio ferroviario de Córdoba
Córdoba, Spain
-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...
, in Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, Southern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Regular school trips include these two destinations, along with New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
, the Hexham
Hexham
Hexham is a market town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, located south of the River Tyne, and was the administrative centre for the Tynedale district from 1974 to 2009. The three major towns in Tynedale were Hexham, Prudhoe and Haltwhistle, although in terms of population, Prudhoe was...
and Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
Diocesan Youth Ministry Team Youth Village, Ushaw College
Ushaw College
Ushaw College was a Roman Catholic seminary near Durham, England that closed in 2011. Ushaw was the principal seminary in the north of England for the training of Catholic priests.-History:...
(a seminary for the formation of Catholic priests, deacons, religious and lay ministers) and Minsteracres Catholic Retreat Centre.
St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School is the first and only school in the UK to date to have founded a fully functioning independent business, which was visited by The Princess Royal
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
in 2008. In October 2008 the school hosted the Wansbeck
Wansbeck
Wansbeck was a local government district in south-east Northumberland, England. Its main population centres were Ashington, Bedlington and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea....
Business Award Ceremony, which was presented by Jayne Middlemiss
Jayne Middlemiss
Jayne Middlemiss is a London-based British television and radio presenter, originally from Northumberland. She began presenting music television shows such as The O-Zone and Top of the Pops in the mid '90s, before presenting a variety of other television and radio shows, including on BBC 6 Music...
, and earlier that year Sir John Hall
John Hall (businessman)
Sir John Hall is a property developer in North East England. He is also life president and former chairman of Newcastle United.-Biography:...
, a renowned international businessman and founder of the MetroCentre, was a guest orator at a similar event hosted by the school.
On 15 January 2009, the school appeared on GMTV
GMTV
GMTV was the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end...
to raise awareness for fitness
Physical fitness
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness , and specific fitness...
and healthy eating. The show's Mr Motivator commented "this school is a real example to all schools across the UK in that they have, as part of their curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
, Dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and Theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
which are all good things to get teenagers and kids of any age into shape." Later in the show Dr Hilary Jones
Hilary Jones (doctor)
Hilary Jones is a general practitioner and also a television and radio presenter, and a writer on medical issues.-Medical career:...
applauded the school's healthy diet.
The school's colours are black and red, which feature prominently in the uniform.
Religion
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
forms an integral part of life at St. Benet Biscop High School. A large stained glass window in the main foyer depicting St. Benedict Biscop
Benedict Biscop
Benedict Biscop , also known as Biscop Baducing, was an Anglo-Saxon abbot and founder of Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Priory and was considered a saint after his death.-Early career:...
himself, as well as other aspects of the school's ethos. The image of the window is often used throughout the school as a symbol of the school's identity. For example, it is the image on the front of the students' planners and it adorns the welcome signs at the school's gates. To mark its unveiling in the year 2000 each student was presented with a biography of the life of the school's patron saint. The Feast of Saint Benet Biscop is celebrated every year on January 12 with Mass attended by all staff and students.
Regular Liturgical services are held in St. Benet Biscop Catholic High, as well as Mass given by local Priests from the Ecclesiastical Diocese. Prayer and contemplation are regular during the school day, with most classes starting with the School Prayer or contemplation. The St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School's Motto is Pax Christi. This Motto is represented on the School's badge.
Every year, students are invited to attend the Diocesan Annual Youth Festival, organised by the Youth Ministry Team. The event seeks to strengthen the faith of the students through providing opportunities of Prayer, Contemplation and a range of activities involving Drama and Music.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
to see a talk given by Sister Helen Prejean - a Catholic Nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
from the USA who has been a notable critic of the Death Penalty, and whose story is portrayed by Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon is an American actress. She has worked in films and television since 1969, and won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. She had also been nominated for the award for four films before that and has received other recognition for her...
in the film adaptation of her book entitled Dead Man Walking. The school was represented at World Youth Day
World Youth Day
World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions....
2008 in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Mass is normally held in the school, though is occasionally held in the nearby St. Bede's Roman Catholic Church in Bedlington. Whist Mass is given in the traditional Catholic way, Liturgies often involve performances of pupils in the form of drama, music and singing. Students are invited to take part in the Liturgies, thus promoting active worship.
A Crucifix
Crucifix
A crucifix is an independent image of Jesus on the cross with a representation of Jesus' body, referred to in English as the corpus , as distinct from a cross with no body....
or religious Icon
Icon
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Christianity and in certain Eastern Catholic churches...
hangs on the wall of every teaching room, most offices, the school foyer and the main hall. The words "I have come that you may have life and live it to the full" (John 10:10) are quoted throughout school, and used to adorn a large banner which hung in the "Top Hall", prior to its refurbishment.
St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle is a Roman Catholic diocese of the Latin Rite centred around St Mary's Cathedral in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in England...
of the Ecclesiastical province of Liverpool. The current Biscop of the Diocese is Séamus Cunningham
Séamus Cunningham
Séamus Cunningham is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle in the north of England.-Biography:...
, who will receive his episcopal consecration on March 20 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Diocesan patrons are Our Blessed Lady Immaculate (8 December) and Saint Cuthbert, Bishop and Confessor (20 March).
Education
The following subjects are compulsory to all first year (year 9) students:Religious Education
Religious Education
Religious Education is the term given to education concerned with religion. It may refer to education provided by a church or religious organization, for instruction in doctrine and faith, or for education in various aspects of religion, but without explicitly religious or moral aims, e.g. in a...
English Literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
comprising Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
and Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
Geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
Art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
Technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
comprising Resistant Materials, Graphics
Graphics
Graphics are visual presentations on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to brand, inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings,or...
, Textiles and Food Technology
Food technology
Food technology, is a branch of food science which deals with the actual production processes to make foods.-Early history of food technology:...
Physical Education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
comprising Sports, Gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
and Dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
Business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
and Communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
Systems
When pupils reach GCSE level, Religious Education
Religious Education
Religious Education is the term given to education concerned with religion. It may refer to education provided by a church or religious organization, for instruction in doctrine and faith, or for education in various aspects of religion, but without explicitly religious or moral aims, e.g. in a...
, English Literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
, English Language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and BACS remain compulsory for all. Attendance to Physical Education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
is obligatory, though this is a separate class to GCSE PE. Students then chose four or more of the remaining "electives" or non-compulsory lessons, and continue these to GCSE level. At GCSE, the subjects ICT, Business Studies
Business studies
Business studies is an academic subject taught at higher level in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, as well as at university level in many countries...
and Drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
and Theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
Sudies also become optional subjects.
All students who which to remain in St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School for VIth Form must have achieved GCSE results which are above a grade boundary which is agreed annually (and is generally reasonably high). Most students at the School study five subjects in VIth form including General Studies
General Studies
General Studies may refer to:* Bachelor of General Studies, a degree offered in some Western Universities* A GCSE and A-level examination offered to 16-18 year olds in the United Kingdom and some other countries...
which all students are bound to do by default. At A-Level, Religious Education
Religious Education
Religious Education is the term given to education concerned with religion. It may refer to education provided by a church or religious organization, for instruction in doctrine and faith, or for education in various aspects of religion, but without explicitly religious or moral aims, e.g. in a...
becomes Religious Studies
Religious studies
Religious studies is the academic field of multi-disciplinary, secular study of religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.While theology attempts to...
of Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and Ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
, which remains one of the most popular electives in VIth Form.
"Core Studies" is one hour a week of the school timetable which is dedicated to the pastoral care of students - a priority at the School. The lesson normally comprises Roman Catholic Guidance and Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, and one-on-one meetings with tutors to discuss academic progress or personal issues. In the summer months it is often dedicated to examination revision. The hour also remains the standard time in which one would hold a Mass or Liturgy.
BISH and COPPER
Students of St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School are grouped into either "BISH" or "COPT" in a system which replaced the old House System. Each year in the lower school is divided into the classes B,I,S,H,C,O,P and T. Classes B,I,S,H are referred to as "BISH" and the remaining classes form "COPT". Thus the form classes of year nine would be 9B, 91, 95, 9H, 9C, 9Ø, 9P and 9T. "O" classes are normally expressed by an "Ø" rather than "O" to distinguish it from the number zero. Setting is done according to ability and group in subjects such as Science and Maths.The system originally included only the letters B,I,S,C,O and P (to spell "Biscop"), but classes "H" and "T" were later added to maintain low class sizes. The two groups are divided in the School - rarely will a pupil in BISH be taught with a pupil in COPT, with the exceptio
n of in the VIth form.
In assemblies BISH pupils sit on the Orator's right, and COPT on their left.
But for lessons, the groups are united in all other aspects of the School - students dine and attend Liturgies and Mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
together, regardless of whether they are in BISH or COPT.
Enterprise
St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School has attracted a great deal of press coverage after its creation of an entirely self-sufficient Social EnterpriseSocial enterprise
A social enterprise is an organization that applies business strategies to achieving philanthropic goals. Social enterprises can be structured as a for-profit or non-profit....
called Benet Enterprises Ltd. - the first of its kind in the UK. The company functions as an events management service promoting enterprise in the region, and any profits are invested back into the business. It has been hailed unanimously as a great success, with a £70,000 turnover
Revenue
In business, revenue is income that a company receives from its normal business activities, usually from the sale of goods and services to customers. In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, revenue is referred to as turnover....
in its first year, and a projected £200,000 by the end of year three. The School's Headmaster, Mr N. Bowen, said in an interview with the Journal
The Journal (newspaper)
The Journal is a daily newspaper produced in Newcastle upon Tyne. Published by ncjMedia, , The Journal is produced every weekday and Saturday morning and is complemented by its sister publications the Evening Chronicle and the Sunday Sun.The newspaper mainly has a middle-class and professional...
, that
“Tremendous effort and money is invested in firing up youngsters to get them excited about creating their own business ideas. However, once an event or activity ends, nothing is done to capture those ideas and to see how viable they are.
“We have created a limited company that will work with pupils when they leave school for up to a year to see if they can make these fledgling ventures work. I have no doubt that this will lead to new business creation in the coming years.”
The Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) has invested £90,000 in the project. Alcan
Alcan
Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. is a Canadian company based in Montreal. It was created on November 15, 2007 as the result of the merger between Rio Tinto PLC's Canadian subsidiary, Rio Tinto Canada Holding Inc., and Canadian company Alcan Inc. On the same date, Alcan Inc. was renamed Rio Tinto Alcan Inc..Rio...
has also donated funds to the project, and Wyn Jones, managing director of Alcan, said: "It is pleasing to know that Alcan's donation is being used to fund projects as innovative and inspiring as Benet Enterprise
Reorganisation to 11-18
The closure of Middle Schools has already started in the county of NorthumberlandNorthumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, with the town of Cramlington
Cramlington
Cramlington is a town and civil parish in the county of Northumberland, North East England, situated north of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The town's name suggests a probable founding by the Danes or an Anglo-Saxon origin, the word "ton" meaning town. The population was estimated as 39,000 in...
becoming the first in the region to transfer to two-tier education. This has led to the creation of the newly opened Cramlington Learning Village
Cramlington Learning Village
Cramlington Learning Village, formerly Cramlington Community High School, is a large high school in Cramlington, Northumberland, England.-History:...
. Children in years 8 and 9 of St. Peter's R.C Middle School in Cramlington opted not to attend the Cramlington Learning Village
Cramlington Learning Village
Cramlington Learning Village, formerly Cramlington Community High School, is a large high school in Cramlington, Northumberland, England.-History:...
due to its secular status, however, their natural High School, St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School, is situated in Bedlington
Bedlington
Bedlington is a town in Northumberland, to the north of the Tyne and Wear urban area. It lies north of Newcastle and southeast of the county town of Morpeth. Other nearby places include Ashington to the north northeast, Blyth to the east and Cramlington to the south.The parish of Bedlington...
, where the move toward two-tier education had not yet begun. St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School, in response to the dilemma, was forced to construct a new facility to accommodate the pupils of St. Peter's R.C Middle School on their grounds. This is seen to highlight the logistical problems with the change-over, however the merging was widely viewed as successful, merely complicated.
External links
- St Benet Biscop High School Official Site
- Review of school on Schoolnet
- Creative students celebrate success with business initiative
- Article from the Journal newspaper on Princess Anne's visit to St. Benet Biscop High School
- Ushaw College
- Sister Helen Prejean
- Minsteracres
Notable alumni
Notable people who have attended the school include ex-Newcastle player Jamie McClenJamie McClen
James David "Jamie" McClen is a professional English football player who plays as a defender or midfielder.He attended St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School in Bedlington, Northumberland...
, UK Basketball player Alan Hoyle, Kevin McDonnell, Founder-Managing Director at Oricom International (http://www.oricom.com.au/oricom/about-oricom).