THE CARDINAL VAUGHAN MEMORIAL RC SCHOOL in Greater London, Kensington and Chelsea

Education Centre Information: The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School:

Establishment Type:Voluntary Aided School
Phase of Education: Secondary
Status: Open
Local Authority: Kensington and Chelsea
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Diocese: Archdiocese of Westminster
Nursery Provider: No Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 940
Number of boys: 806
Number of girls: 134
Admissions: Comprehensive
Age Range: 11-18
Gender: Boys
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Background:

Situated in a pleasant, leafy neighbourhood near Holland Park, the school has unique position among Catholic schools, having been founded in 1914 as a national memorial to the third Archbishop of Westminster, Herbert Vaughan. By 1977, the school was taking pupils of all abilities and in 1980, the sixth form was opened to girls. The catchment of the school is generally inner London. The school's main aim is the Christian formation of young people. It tries to accommodate students of all abilities and is chartered by the MENSA Foundation for Gifted Children. The school is proud of its good facilities which include a newly-refurbished administration block, library and arts and technology centre. Also recently built is a block with new classrooms, a ceramics studio, a computer room, a CAD/CAM workshop and office facilities. The school has a chapel, well-equipped common rooms for staff and sixth-formers and a sports pavilion at its playing fields in Twickenham. New music suite includes recording studio, orchestra-size rehearsal room, and 12 practice rooms. It offers a range of extra-curricular activities including athletics, cricket and fitness-training and fields seven football teams and six rugby teams. Other interests are also catered for including music, which plays a particularly important role in the school since the establishment of the Vaughan Centre for Young Musicians, and drama. The school'sets aside a number of days in Trinity term when pupils take part in a variety of activities led by the staff, ranging from an outdoor venture trip to foreign trips and poetry workshops. Modern language exchange trips and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme are offered. 'Good old-fashioned discipline and support and cooperation of parents and pupils alike make for a warm working atmosphere.' Specialist mathematics and computing college status. Over-subscribed, with nearly four applications per place. Sportsmark; Investor in People status; DfES achievement award. Ethos: 'Firm, traditional, strict and caring within a Roman Catholic framework.'