Welcome
It’s a privilege for me being here to serve the pupils of Holy Trinity and this community. We are immensely proud of our most recent 2017 Ofsted report. In the report, it praised the strong work of the staff, the support given by parents and the positive attitudes consistently displayed by our wonderful children. Since this report Teaching and Learning continues to improve with data showing a significant and sustained increase in the amount of regular and effective teaching observed. Since the publication of this report, summer GCSE results have improved again with significant progress seen across all subject areas in 2019 results. Pupil progress in Core, Ebacc and Open Element subjects is significantly above national average, Pupil Performance in RE continues to be above averages diocesan with 80% of pupils receiving a 9-4 grade in summer 2019. Outcomes for children are predicted to continue in an upward trend of improvement in the coming years. What is the most pleasing thing about all of the successes experienced, is that it has been achieved by upholding the principals of the school which is to educate the ‘holistic’ child made in the image of God. As we move forward, Holy Trinity is fully committed to nurture and educate the spiritual, social, emotional and academic nature of all pupils.
School Context
Holy Trinity Catholic School is a mixed secondary school located in the Small Heath area of Birmingham. The school is named after the Trinity, the Christian doctrine that defines God as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Holy Trinity is part of the St Teresa of Calcutta Multi-Academy Company alongside Archbishop Ilsley and Holy Souls school partners.
It is important to note that Holy Trinity Catholic School has significantly higher percentages of SEND pupils, disadvantaged pupils, EAL learner and proportion of those coming from a Minority Ethnic group compared to national averages. Staring points are significantly below average on entry in terms of attainment when compared with national average prior attainment. The proportion of ethnic minority students 93.1% is significant in comparison to the national picture of 25.6%. The schools deprivation, poor housing and socio-economic difficulties provide challenges. Issues around CSE and the threat of radicalisation are issues that can exist in the local community with school taking proactive measures to address this risk. The school works hard to combat poverty within its own community. A number of our families live within extreme poverty.
Catholic Life
As part of Our School’s Mission Statement, it states ‘all are respected as equal and where differences are celebrated.’ As a Catholic School, we seek to fulfil Jesus’ example by loving God and loving our neighbour. It is through the example of Jesus Christ that we can create a safe and caring environment for learning, displaying the qualities of equality, respect and togetherness.
This Gospel message is embedded in our Mission Statement, and we welcome all children, regardless of faith background, to share in our faith community.
Our strong ethos is best summed up by the following quote:
‘This is a Catholic School. There are people of all faiths and none and the school prepares us well for life in a diverse society. No matter who you are at this school, you thrive’ (Year 11 girl. Ofsted, December 2017).
I will conclude with the words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta ‘God will not ask what you did, but will reward you for the love with which it was done’. I instruct all staff at Holy Trinity to treat each pupil as if they were your own child. On occasion young people will frustrate us, but all that we do for them, we do out of love and with the intention to drive them to be the best that they can be.
Mr C Crehan
Head of School
