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{{Infobox school
{{Infobox school
| name = Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School
| name = Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School
| image =
| image = File:Nicholas_Breakspear_Catholic_School_Logo_in_Gold.png
| coordinates = {{coord|51.74747|-0.28881|type:edu_region:GB_dim:100|format=dec|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|51.74747|-0.28881|type:edu_region:GB_dim:100|format=dec|display=inline,title}}
| motto = ''Per Tuas Semitas'' <br /><small>(English: "In thy ways")</small>
| motto = ''Per Tuas Semitas'' <br /><small>(English: "In thy ways")</small>
Line 9: Line 9:
| type = [[Academy (English school)|Academy]]
| type = [[Academy (English school)|Academy]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Roman Catholic]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Roman Catholic]]
| r_head = Mr Declan Linnane<ref name="ofsted2017">{{cite report|title=School report: Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School |url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/2592374/urn/137938.pdf |date=1 September 2016 |publisher=[[Ofsted]] |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
| head = Declan Linnane<ref name="ofsted2017">{{cite report|title=School report: Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School |url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/2592374/urn/137938.pdf |date=1 September 2016 |publisher=[[Ofsted]] |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
| chair_label = Chair of governors
| chair_label = Chair of governors
| chair = Mrs Sue McLellen <ref name="ofsted2017"/>
| chair = Sue McLellen <ref name="ofsted2017"/>
| founder = Father John Farnsborough
| founder = Father John Farnsborough
| address = Colney Heath Lane
| address = Colney Heath Lane
Line 25: Line 25:
| urn = 137938
| urn = 137938
| staff = 124
| staff = 124
| enrolment = 574<ref name="ofsted2017"/>
| enrolment = 574<ref name="ofsted2017"/> (2016)
| gender = [[Coeducational]]
| gender = [[Coeducational]]
| lower_age = 11
| lower_age = 11
| upper_age = 18
| upper_age = 18
| houses = [[Nicholas Breakspear School#List of Houses|Ten Houses]]
| houses = [[Nicholas Breakspear School#List of houses|Ten Houses]]
| colours = Navy blue and yellow
| colours = Navy blue and yellow
<br> {{color box|#000080}}{{color box|yellow}} <br>
<br> {{color box|#000080}}{{color box|yellow}} <br>
| slogan = '''N'''urture '''B'''elieve '''S'''ucceed
| slogan = Nurture Believe Succeed
| publication = [https://nbs.herts.sch.uk/extended-learning/nbs-school-magazine/ NBS School Magazine]
| publication = [https://nbs.herts.sch.uk/extended-learning/nbs-school-magazine/ NBS School Magazine]
| website = [https://www.nbs.herts.sch.uk/ Official Website]
| website = {{URL|https://nbs.herts.sch.uk/}}
}}
}}


'''Nicholas Breakspear School''' '''(NBS)''' is a [[secondary school]] with [[Academy (English school)|academy status]] situated on the rural fringe of [[St Albans]], an old Roman city in [[Hertfordshire]], [[England]].
'''Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School''' ('''NBS''') is a [[secondary school]] with [[Academy (English school)|academy status]] situated on the rural fringe of [[St Albans]], an old Roman city in [[Hertfordshire]], [[England]].


The school takes its name from the 12th-century priest St Albans-born and educated [[Pope Adrian IV|Nicholas Breakspear]], who, as Pope Adrian IV, is the only Englishman ever to have occupied the [[Pope|papal chair]]. The school makes an annual pilgrimage to his tomb in Rome.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Welch|first=Jon|date=2013-03-12|title=Nicholas Breakspear: The only English Pope|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-21656680|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110040036/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-21656680|archive-date=2017-11-10}}</ref> (The school goes to Rome each year, but has only once gone to the tomb)
'''Nicholas Breakspear School''' was built in 1963, and founded by Father John Farnborough, whose mission was to provide a Catholic education for young people in the local area.


⚫
== Recent history ==
The land it is built on was covenanted for the purposes of education and as such is protected from any other kind of development. Set among the rolling fields of the Hertfordshire countryside, NBS has a proud heritage of teaching through its setting, encapsulated today in the form of a brand new ‘outdoor classroom’ to enable students to learn at first-hand from the environment around them.
After a 2008 renovation of the science classrooms, Chris Reeves made a nativity scene composed of sculptures made from the discarded 1960s desks.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2008-12-04|title=Nativity scene carved from classroom desks by school handyman|work=The Telegraph|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3548291/Nativity-scene-carved-from-classroom-desks-by-school-handyman.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208184033/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3548291/Nativity-scene-carved-from-classroom-desks-by-school-handyman.html|archive-date=2008-12-08}}</ref>


In September 2013 the school celebrated its [[Golden jubilee|golden anniversary]] with a service offered by the [[Vincent Nichols|Catholic Archbishop of Westminster]] at [[St Alban and St Stephen's Church, St Albans|SS Alban and Stephen Church]] in the presence of the mayor of St Albans. The mass was followed by a tree-planting ceremony on the school grounds.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Burton|first=Madeleine|date=2013-09-25|title=Commemorating golden anniversary of St Albans' Nicholas Breakspear school|work=The Herts Advertiser|url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/education/commemorating-golden-anniversary-of-st-albans-nicholas-breakspear-school-1-2801259|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524212916/https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/education/commemorating-golden-anniversary-of-st-albans-nicholas-breakspear-school-1-2801259|archive-date=2020-05-24}}</ref>
The school buildings are typical examples of 1960’s architecture, and reflect the ethos of simple buildings, constructed to maximise natural light. The views from the upper floors are uninterrupted and beautiful. The school enjoys all the advantages of large playing fields, AstroTurf and spacious playgrounds, as well as basketball and tennis courts.

The school takes its name from the 12th Century priest [[Pope Adrian IV|Nicholas Breakspear]], who, as Pope Adrian IV, is the only Englishman ever to have occupied the [[Pope|papal chair]].

It was categorised in 2016 as a ‘Good’ school, and is currently on a journey to ‘Outstanding’.

In October 2021, the school's Section 8 Ofsted report stated "Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School continues to be a good school. There is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged outstanding if we were to carry out a section 5 inspection now. The school’s next inspection will be a section 5 inspection".

'''Mission Statement'''

Our Mission is clear '''<nowiki/>'Empowered by the presence of God and each other, we nurture our unique gifts to build a better world''''. This, combined with the warmth, care and dedication  of  our  staff,  enables  our  students  to  grow and  flourish  into  well-rounded  individuals  who  are ready  to  fulfil  our  Mission  –  to build a  better world. We make  a  commitment  to you and your child to deliver our  philosophy  to Nurture,  Believe  and Succeed,  which  is  integral  to  creating  confident  and compassionate citizens  ready  to  make  an  impact on our society.

https://nbs.herts.sch.uk/about-nicholas-breakspear-catholic-school/our-mission-statement/

⚫
== Recent history ==


It was recently categorized in 2016 as a 'Good' school but still remains a school with below average teachers.<ref name="ofsted2017" />


To commemorate the [[First World War centenary]], the school displayed crosses with the names of local soldiers and held a special service of remembrance on 9 November 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Suslak|first=Anne|date=2018-11-12|title=St Albans pupils hold Remembrance service to mark World War I centenary|work=The Herts Advertiser|url=http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st-albans-pupils-mark-centenary-of-world-war-i-with-remembrance-service-1-5774845|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116140057/http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st-albans-pupils-mark-centenary-of-world-war-i-with-remembrance-service-1-5774845|archive-date=2018-11-16}}</ref>
On 13 January 2016, [[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge|Prince William]] ate lunch with Breakspear students at [[The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School, Stevenage|John Henry Newman School]] as he waited for paramedics. The [[East Anglian Air Ambulance]], of which the Duke of Cambridge is part of, frequently uses the Newman School fields.<ref>{{Cite news|last=White|first=Debbie|date=2016-01-14|title=Prince William "really charming" according to St Albans pupils after surprise lunch|work=The Herts Adviser|url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/prince-william-really-charming-according-to-st-albans-pupils-after-surprise-lunch-1-4379792|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524214411/https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/prince-william-really-charming-according-to-st-albans-pupils-after-surprise-lunch-1-4379792|archive-date=2020-05-24}}</ref>


The student leaders' take part in a trip to [[Hoima]] and Kasambya in Uganda supporting a charity; Kiddies Support Scheme (KiSS) helping families become self-sufficient. To date this team has led a school community to raise over £50000 for this charity.
As part of the 2018 [[International Men's Day]] theme of "Positive Male Role Models" Breakspear invited former footballer [[Jermaine Jenas|Jermaine Jonas]], Kiss FM DJ Majestic (Kevin Christie), journalist and Home Office press officer Conor Gaffey and kickboxing champion Ciaran Shanahan to speak about mental health.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Suslak|first=Anne|date=2018-11-28|title=St Albans school talks about mental health for International Men's Day|work=The Herts Advertiser|url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/education/st-albans-catholic-school-celebrates-international-men-s-day-1-5798023|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129161220/https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/education/st-albans-catholic-school-celebrates-international-men-s-day-1-5798023|archive-date=2018-11-29}}</ref>


== House system ==
== House system ==
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* [[John Bosco|Bosco House]]
* [[John Bosco|Bosco House]]
* [[Josephine Bakhita|Bakhita House]]
* [[Josephine Bakhita|Bakhita House]]

== Extracurricular activities ==

=== BBC Young Reporter ===
Breakspear promotes student participation in the BBC Young Reporter program, where pupils write articles on subjects that interest them.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}


== School staff ==
== School staff ==
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|}
|}


=== Notable faculty ===
== Notable alumni ==
⚫
* Tom Cahill, Satoshi Ishida, and Sean Lemon - musicians who played in the band [[Saving Aimee]].<ref name="stalbansreview.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/1755549.local-band-supporting-mcfly/|title = Local band supporting McFly}}</ref>

⚫
* [[Matthew Connolly]] (b. 1987) - professional football player, he started his career at [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and most notably played for [[Queens Park Rangers]] and [[Cardiff City]].
== Distinguished alumni ==
⚫
* [[Nick Isiekwe]] (b. 1998) - professional English rugby union player.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Edwards|first=Michael|date=2015-05-04|title=Isiekwe on England, Saracens and preparing for exams|work=The Herts Advertiser|url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/isiekwe-on-england-saracens-and-preparing-for-exams-1-4055852|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405041858/https://www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/isiekwe-on-england-saracens-and-preparing-for-exams-1-4055852|archive-date=2019-04-05}}</ref>

* Martin Brophy [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] - former chairman of the [[London Gay Men's Chorus|London Gay Men's Choir]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perring|first=Rebecca|date=2013-06-18|title=St Albans businessman Martin Brophy awarded MBE for worldwide LGBT choir work|work=St Albans & Harpenden Review|url=http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/10489444.st-albans-businessman-martin-brophy-awarded-mbe-for-worldwide-lgbt-choir-work/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306024533/http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/10489444.st-albans-businessman-martin-brophy-awarded-mbe-for-worldwide-lgbt-choir-work/|archive-date=2018-03-06}}</ref>
⚫
* Tom Cahill - musician, he played in the band [[Saving Aimee]].<ref name="stalbansreview.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/1755549.local-band-supporting-mcfly/|title = Local band supporting McFly}}</ref>
⚫
* [[Matthew Connolly]] - professional football player, he started his career at [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and most notably played for [[Queens Park Rangers]] and [[Cardiff City]].
* Naomi Czuba - starred in an international advertising campaign for [[Sweaty Betty]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Berry|first=Franki|date=2019-09-14|title=St Albans women are new faces of global Sweaty Betty advertising campaign|work=The Herts Advertiser|url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st-albans-women-in-sweaty-betty-ad-campaign-1-6268579|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922042919/https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st-albans-women-in-sweaty-betty-ad-campaign-1-6268579|archive-date=2019-09-22}}</ref>
* Ryan Henson - [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] candidate for [[Bedford (UK Parliament constituency)|Bedford]] at the [[2019 United Kingdom general election]]. He finished runner up to [[Mohammad Yasin (politician)|Mohammad Yasin]] of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], who won by just 145 votes.
* Satoshi Ishida - musician, he played in the band [[Saving Aimee]].<ref name="stalbansreview.co.uk"/>
⚫
* [[Nick Isiekwe]] - professional English rugby union player, he has stated that Breakspear aided in his formation.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Edwards|first=Michael|date=2015-05-04|title=Isiekwe on England, Saracens and preparing for exams|work=The Herts Advertiser|url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/isiekwe-on-england-saracens-and-preparing-for-exams-1-4055852|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405041858/https://www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/isiekwe-on-england-saracens-and-preparing-for-exams-1-4055852|archive-date=2019-04-05}}</ref>
* Sean Lemon - musician, he played in the band [[Saving Aimee]]<ref name="stalbansreview.co.uk"/> and is a member of the band Room 94.
* Jessica Martins - Miss Global Madeira 2013-2014.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perring|first=Rebecca|date=2013-09-09|title=St Albans teen, Jessica Martins, vies to win Miss Global International title|work=St Albans & Harpenden Review|url=https://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/10663058.st-albans-teen-jessica-martins-vies-to-win-miss-global-international-title/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524222245/https://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/10663058.st-albans-teen-jessica-martins-vies-to-win-miss-global-international-title/|archive-date=2020-05-24}}</ref>
* Gail Radley - co-founder of Harper & Guy Recruitment Solutions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kelly|first=Liam|date=2019-05-12|title=Charlotte Harper and Gail Radley, co-founders of H&G; Recruitment: we got behind the wheel in hiring|work=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charlotte-harper-and-gail-radley-co-founders-of-h-g-recruitment-we-got-behind-the-wheel-in-hiring-nn5wt8hq7|url-status=live|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512094910/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charlotte-harper-and-gail-radley-co-founders-of-h-g-recruitment-we-got-behind-the-wheel-in-hiring-nn5wt8hq7|archive-date=2019-05-12}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 126: Line 99:


{{Schools in Hertfordshire}}
{{Schools in Hertfordshire}}
{{Diocese of Westminster}}



{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}

Latest revision as of 19:20, 8 July 2024

Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School
Address
Map
Colney Heath Lane

St Albans
,
Hertfordshire
,
AL4 0TT

England
,
United Kingdom
Coordinates51°44′51″N 0°17′20″W / 51.74747°N 0.28881°W / 51.74747; -0.28881
Information
TypeAcademy
MottoPer Tuas Semitas
(English: "In thy ways")
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1963
FounderFather John Farnsborough
Local authorityHertfordshire County Council
Area trusteeDiocese of Westminster Academy Trust
Department for Education URN137938 Tables
OfstedReports
Chair of governorsSue McLellen [1]
Head teacherDeclan Linnane[1]
Staff124
GenderCoeducational
Age11 to 18
Enrolment574[1] (2016)
HousesTen Houses
Colour(s)Navy blue and yellow
  
SloganNurture Believe Succeed
PublicationNBS School Magazine
Websitenbs.herts.sch.uk

Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School (NBS) is a secondary school with academy status situated on the rural fringe of St Albans, an old Roman city in Hertfordshire, England.

The school takes its name from the 12th-century priest St Albans-born and educated Nicholas Breakspear, who, as Pope Adrian IV, is the only Englishman ever to have occupied the papal chair. The school makes an annual pilgrimage to his tomb in Rome.[2] (The school goes to Rome each year, but has only once gone to the tomb)

Recent history

[edit]

After a 2008 renovation of the science classrooms, Chris Reeves made a nativity scene composed of sculptures made from the discarded 1960s desks.[3]

In September 2013 the school celebrated its golden anniversary with a service offered by the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster at SS Alban and Stephen Church in the presence of the mayor of St Albans. The mass was followed by a tree-planting ceremony on the school grounds.[4]

It was recently categorized in 2016 as a 'Good' school but still remains a school with below average teachers.[1]

On 13 January 2016, Prince William ate lunch with Breakspear students at John Henry Newman School as he waited for paramedics. The East Anglian Air Ambulance, of which the Duke of Cambridge is part of, frequently uses the Newman School fields.[5]

The student leaders' take part in a trip to Hoima and Kasambya in Uganda supporting a charity; Kiddies Support Scheme (KiSS) helping families become self-sufficient. To date this team has led a school community to raise over £50000 for this charity.

House system

[edit]

Breakspear has six houses, each named after a saint whose life is intended to serve as an example to the community. Students are assigned to one of the houses on entrance to the school in Year 7 where they remain until the end of 6th form; whenever possible younger siblings become a member of the same house.

Each member of staff is also attached to a house.

Each house has two designated Year 11 House Captains, and one Sixth Form House Leader, who aides in coordinating house teams, organise activities and events and represent their house at relevant meetings. Houses compete between themselves for the most point accumulated during both terms of the school year.

List of houses

[edit]

School staff

[edit]
List of Headteachers
Name Tenure
From To
J C White pre-2000 2005
Phil Jakszta 2005 2013
Declan Linnane 2014 present day

Notable alumni

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d School report: Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School (PDF) (Report). Ofsted. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  2. ^ Welch, Jon (12 March 2013). "Nicholas Breakspear: The only English Pope". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Nativity scene carved from classroom desks by school handyman". The Telegraph. 4 December 2008. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  4. ^ Burton, Madeleine (25 September 2013). "Commemorating golden anniversary of St Albans' Nicholas Breakspear school". The Herts Advertiser. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  5. ^ White, Debbie (14 January 2016). "Prince William "really charming" according to St Albans pupils after surprise lunch". The Herts Adviser. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Local band supporting McFly".
  7. ^ Edwards, Michael (4 May 2015). "Isiekwe on England, Saracens and preparing for exams". The Herts Advertiser. Archived from the original on 5 April 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
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