Our Lady's Catholic College

Our Lady's Catholic College (OLCC) is a mixed sex secondary school for pupils aged 11–18. It is located in Skerton, just off the A6 road, north of the River Lune, Lancaster in the North West of England. Formerly Our Lady's Catholic High School, it changed its name after being awarded Specialist Sports College status in September 2003. The college teaches Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, and Sixth Form. Helen Seddon, a former pupil, has been head teacher since September 2015. She took over from Brendan Conroy, who retired in July 2015. Conboy had been at Our Lady's since September 2007.

1. Description

This is an 11-19 secondary school principally for Roman Catholic pupils and students: it draws from 28 feeder primary schools from Lancaster and Northern Lancashire.

Pupils entered the school in 2016 with a significantly lower prior attainment than national average. While at the school, low-and middle-ability pupils make the fastest progress while high-ability pupils make progress in line with the national average. By the end of year eleven the proportion of pupils attaining at least a C grade in both English and mathematics mirrors the national average. Mathematics is stronger than English: impressive rates of progress were made in vocational courses, information technology and religious studies.

1. = Curriculum =

Virtually all maintained schools and academies follow the National Curriculum, and are inspected by Ofsted on how well they succeed in delivering a 'broad and balanced curriculum'. The school has to decide whether Key Stage 3 contains years 7, 8 and 9- or whether year 9 should be in Key Stage 4 and the students just study subjects that will be examined by the GCSE exams at 16. Our Lady's aim that all students experience a broad and balanced curriculum in their first three years, with an academic approach to the curriculum in order to prepare for KS4 studies. The KS3 curriculum encompasses the core subjects of English, Maths and Science, plus RE, history, geography and languages. The practical and creative subjects; PE, Technology, including Product design, Food, Textiles and also Art, Drama, Dance and Music are an important part of a students education, the school believes, so has decided to maximise the time available doing a full three year KS 3. In Key Stage 4 students principally study a range of GCSE courses. The English Baccalaureate subjects of English, Maths, Science, History, Geography and languages were at centre of the curriculum in KS3 and they are available to all students, so they each have the opportunity to study for the English Baccalaureate and obtain an EBacc APS. Too few pupils choose to study a language so can't obtain an EBacc. The course is structured on the Progress 8 model. Students study the core subjects of English maths and science. RE is also compulsory. Students then choose the humanity from Geography, History and French. They then have choice of options from a range of GCSE and vocational subjects. A small minority of students will not take a Humanity but do the Work skills BTec and an IT qualification. At Key Stage 5 a range of A levels and Level 3 BTECs are on offer. For example, in 2020, Art and Design, Biology Chemistry, Drama, English and English Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics, Physics, Religious Studies and Sociology were offered at A level and Applied Science, Art and Design, Business Studies, Food Science and Nutrition, Health and Social Care (optional Childcare module), ICT, Performing Arts, Sport and Travel and Tourism as BTECs. Modern Foreign Languages are notable by their absence.

1. Notable former students

Notable former students include:

Scott McTominay, professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the Scotland national team. Emma Atkins, actress

1. Notable events

On 22 June 2012, the Olympic Flame passed through the college as part of the Olympic Torch Relays of 2012.

1. References


1. External links

OFSTED Inspection Report, October 2002 Our Lady's Catholic College website

Nearby Places View Menu

Lune Millennium Bridge

The Lune Millennium Bridge is a cable-stayed, multi-way footbridge which spans the River Lune in Lancaster, England. It was designed by Whitby Bird and Partners, and built at a cost of £1.8m to commemorate the millennium of 2000. The bridge forms a "Y"-shape in plan to connect one bank both to a viaduct and adjacent quay. Its double pylon seeks to act as a reminder of the masted ships which previously used the quay. It features a main gangway of just over 30 metres and masts around 40 metres tall. The bridge is part of the National Cycle Network and connects multiple local cyclepaths together, including the one to Morecambe, the one to Caton and the one to Glasson Dock. It's part of route 6 and its design received the Sustrans National Cycle Network Award for Excellence in 2005, and was commended in the Civic Trust Awards in 2003. Its location is culturally significant as the near-approximate site of the historic Old Loyne Bridge.

Bridge Hiking

St Luke's Church, Skerton

St Luke's Church is an active Anglican church in the suburb of Skerton in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. It is a grade II listed building. It was built in 1833 as the parish church of Skerton which was at the time a township in the hundred of Lonsdale. Skerton became part of the City of Lancaster in 1974.

Church Landmark

308 m

Old Loyne Bridge

The Old Loyne Bridge was the main bridge spanning the stretch of River Lune as it ran through the modern day city of Lancaster, extant and in use for at least six hundred years, leading up to its closure and partial demolition in 1802. From the southern bank (cityside), the bridge was reached by following China Lane and Bridge Lane, leading across to what is now the vicinity of Our Lady's Catholic College.

Bridge Landmark

Greyhound Bridge

The Greyhound Bridge is a road-connection spanning the River Lune as it runs through Lancaster, England. It serves as the primary route northwards, on account of a one-way system that directs all southbound traffic over Skerton Bridge. Originally built to carry a railway, it is the third bridge to stand on the present site and lies between the Lune Millennium Bridge and Skerton Bridge.

Bridge Landmark