Long-awaited Catholic school opens in west London

First students at St Richard Reynolds

The official opening of St Richard Reynolds School took place on 19 September with an outdoor Mass celebrated by The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, with The Most Revd Peter Smith, Archbishop of Southwark, The Most Revd George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff, Bishop Richard Moth, Bishop of the Armed Forces, Bishop John Sherrington, Chairman of the Diocese of Westminster Education Commission with Parish Priests from the Catholic parishes in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and beyond.

Also in attendance was the Mayor of Richmond and Lord True, Leader of the Council, representatives of local schools and religious congregations and a delegation of Bridgettine sisters of the Order of the Most Holy Saviour. St Richard Reynolds was a Bridgettine monk of Syon Abbey.

In his Homily Archbishop Nichols said: “St Richard Reynolds Catholic College has come into existence because of effective partnerships, through a united effort. It has not been easy. Some have wished to use this effort as an occasion to sow division. But this morning I thank all who have played a part to hold together and progress this project.”

He continued: “So a Catholic school is a response to the proper and legitimate expectations that parents can look to the state to help them to educate their children in the faith and way of life which is precious to them. In this way a Catholic school contributes to social cohesion by respecting the rights of parents and by maintaining educational diversity. This parental right is enshrined in European Conventions and to be honoured wherever possible. We are so grateful that it is now proving possible here in Richmond. A Catholic school, then, is an act of partnership, of unity. Indeed, such as school, as an expression of the mission of the Church, is to be a reminder that the unity we seek is rooted in the mystery of God and only in relation to the eternal unity of God will we find our own.

A Catholic school also seeks to act locally, to enrich the life of a community and to serve its needs. Personally I am delighted that this College is to develop a specialism in music, for music can so enrich a local community – and I speak as a once and enthusiastic member of a local youth orchestra where my appreciation of music was deepened, leading on to a life-time of pleasure and enrichment. I am delighted, too, that St Richard Reynolds Catholic College is to make special provision for children with physical or sensory disabilities. In them, too, we ‘See the good things of the Lord.’”

Principal, Richard Burke was inducted as the first Principal of the College in a special ceremony during Mass. The Archbishops of Westminster and Southwark unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the opening of the College; it is made from Welsh slate and carries the College motto, Videre bona Domini. The College buildings will then be blessed.

Richmond upon Thames has become the first borough in London to have a brand new Catholic Secondary School open its gates in more than a decade, ending the wait for thousands of pupils who would need to travel to neighbouring boroughs to attend faith-based secondary schools in future years. Richmond was one of just two London boroughs alongside Bromley that did not have a Catholic Secondary School. As a result competition for places at Catholic Schools in West London has been strong, but now many Catholic Children in Richmond will be able to remain within the borough and receive a Catholic maintained secondary education.

Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Paul Hodgins, said: “This has been a long time coming for the Catholic Community and I am delighted that they finally have a school which will work together with the network of schools in the borough to provide the highest quality of education for all children. It is a remarkable achievement to have redeveloped the site, recruited staff and fitted out the schools in just ten months.”

Principal, Richard Burke, said: "It has been a privilege being part of the movement that has brought St Richard Reynolds Catholic College into existence. Welcoming our year 7 'pioneers' last week as the College's first cohort was historic, emotional and heart warming. It would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of so many people. In particular, I am grateful for the sterling work that the initial College staff team has done to get the College fit for purpose. Their behaviours have made it clear that St Richard Reynolds will be a place where our young people will come first, be loved, listened to, challenged and inspired."

Andrew Cole, Chairman of the Governing Body, added: “The establishment of a maintained Catholic secondary school in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is the fulfilment of the tireless campaign by the local Catholic community and others, supported by successive councils and especially by the current Conservative-led Council. St Richard Reynolds is a partnership between the Diocese of Westminster and the local authority; it is part of the family of schools in Richmond-upon-Thames and it will add greater diversity and choice for parents in the Borough.

“It was an enormous privilege to see our first pupils arrive at St Richard Reynolds Catholic College on 5 September. They have settled quickly into their new school and the feedback from pupil and parents has been heart-warming. So many people and institutions have helped to bring us to this historic moment for the Borough; I would like to pay particular tribute to our outstanding College staff many of whom gave up their summer holidays to prepare the College for opening and for the year ahead.”

St Richard Reynolds Catholic College is in the trusteeship of the Diocese of Westminster, it is a federation of St Richard Reynolds Catholic High School and St Richard Reynolds Catholic Primary School. Both are voluntary aided schools. The primary school provides ten open places allocated on the basis of distance and twenty foundation places allocated with priority given to Catholic children if oversubscribed.

The High School can provide for up to 150 Year 7 children with a further 150 being added each year until it reaches its full capacity of 1,050 including 300 in the sixth form. The Primary School has received 30 reception children with a further 30 being added each year until it reaches its capacity of 210.

The establishment of the long-awaited new Catholic secondary school, along with its associated Catholic primary school is the fulfilment of the tireless campaign by the local Catholic community and others, supported by successive councils. The proposal to establish the schools was the subject of extensive public consultations by both the Local Authority and the Diocese of Westminster. The Diocese of Westminster consultation showed 95% of respondents in favour of a Catholic secondary school and the Council consultation drew over 4,000 responses, 67% favouring a Catholic secondary school. The formal notices drew 427 responses with 81% in favour. The consultation informed a Cabinet decision on 24th May 2012 to approve the proposals from the Diocese to establish the schools at Clifden Road.