Hundreds attend Open Day at new Catholic school for west London

Bishop Alan Hopes with parents

More than 800 parents and potential students attended an Open Day for St Richard Reynolds Catholic College in Twickenham which will open in September 2013. The Open Day took place in the main hall at the Clifden Road site on Saturday 20 October. The event was spilt into two sessions; 9am - 11 am for the primary school and 11am – 1pm for the secondary school.

The secondary school presentation had to be given three times to ensure that all those who turned up were able to hear and see it. As well as finding out about admissions arrangements, curriculum and facilities, visitors at the Open Day were also informed that the school will teach Latin. Parents and pupils were also able to see a sample of the uniforms.

Andy Cole Chairman of the Interim Governing Body said: “The local Catholic community in Richmond has for years pressed for a Catholic secondary school in the borough and so it was a tremendous honour to present the plans for St Richard Reynolds College to prospective parents, pupils and others at the Open Day. I was delighted at the level of support shown by so many people giving up a Saturday morning to find out about the College.

"The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and I have received a good many excellent suggestions and ideas from prospective parents and pupils to think about. I am grateful also for the support of the local Catholic Primary heads. Their involvement with this in historic development for the local Catholic Community will be vital.”

It is hoped that the college will open in September 2013. There are 30 places available in the primary school for children born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009 for entry in September 2013. 10 of the places will be allocated on the basis of distance from the school and not on the religion of the child. The remaining 20 places will be allocated with priority given to baptised Catholic children.

There are 150 places available in the secondary school, St Richard Reynolds Catholic High School for children currently in Year 6 at primary school.

In collaboration with other schools within the borough and with close links to the six existing Catholic primary schools in Richmond and other primary schools in the local area, the new primary and secondary schools will eventually provide 210 primary school places and 1,050 secondary school places including 300 sixth form pupils in five forms of entry. Each year an additional year of entry will be admitted until the full complement is reached in 2019.

Source: Archbishops House