English Martyrs Catholic School

Story

English Martyrs Catholic School is a co-educational secondary school with attached sixth form in Leicester, England. In 2014, Ofsted rated the school as Good with Outstanding features and the Sixth Form as Outstanding. The Sixth Form is also in the top 10% of Sixth Forms nationally. The school was also judged by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to be one of the Top 200 Most Improved Schools in England 2009. The school has a very active Performing Arts enrichment programme which includes many Community Arts Events. An annual Arts Festival is held each July. The school's new buildings had their official opening in May 2015.Significant ChangesThe school began as a Secondary School for 300 pupils on 14 April 1964. The land cost £4,250 for 3.5 acres and the building was £215,608 work commencing on 13 May 1963. The official opening was performed by Bishop Edward Ellis on Tuesday 4 May 1965 followed by a reception by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Alderman Kimberlin, OBE, one of the founding school governors. The school’s first Headteacher was Mr John Mulroy with Deputy Mr P Connolly. Mr Edward Brennan succeeded as Headmaster in 1966 and subsequent Heads have been Mr David McLean in 1983, Mrs Catherine Fields (Principal) 2002 and Mr Marius Carney 2007.The school became a comprehensive school in 1976 and a new building costing £300,000 was erected to facilitate expansion and the opening of the Sixth Form. This building was dedicated and blessed by Bishop McGuiness on Thursday 5 October 1978 assisted by Canon McReavy, Chair of Governors and Mr Brennan the Headmaster.The Chapel of the Holy Family, a fine basilical structure, was built in 1996 in memory of Sister Anna Sheils. The Chapel is very much the heart of the school and is dedicated to the Holy Family. Mass is celebrated weekly and Morning Prayer held each morning in the Chapel. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved.