CARDINAL WISEMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
All for Christ Omnia Pro Christo
WELCOME
It is a great privilege to be the Headteacher of this school. It is a special place that I am bonded to and that I care deeply about.
Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School is blessed with an incredibly talented group of staff that are as equally committed.
Our growing reputation for providing exceptional education facilities, outstanding pupil behaviour and a curriculum that is truly transformational, means that our school is more popular than ever.
We are most proud of our strong Catholic and Christian ethos. This is why our admissions criteria gives priority to the admission of both Catholic and Christian children, as parents/carers deserve the chance to send their children to a school where Christ is at the centre of everything.
Our mission, Omnia Pro Christo, translates to ‘All For Christ’. Our Wiseman Virtues (left) provide the framework for our school community to help them to live out our mission, as these are the values taught in the bible.
Our focus on virtues rather than just educational outcomes is what sets us apart. Our pupils are shaped by our ethos into being the people that God meant them to be, enabling them to flourish in all aspects of their lives.
Mr Robert Swanwick
B.Sc
(Hons), M.Ed Headteacher
The spiritual development of our pupils is the cornerstone of our school, as our pupils grow to be more faith-filled and hopeful.
COLLECTIVE WORSHIP
As part of the Cardinal Wiseman community, pupils are encouraged to ‘let their light shine’; to share their unique God-given gifts and talents to positively impact others.
A special way that we nurture this is by encouraging students to become Eucharistic Ministers. This role fosters a deep sense of responsibility, reverence, and service within the school community, allowing pupils to actively participate in and lead sacred liturgy and Mass.
Additionally, retreats to Soli House, The Briars and Alton Castle offer transformative experiences that are vital for personal and spiritual growth. These retreats provide students with the opportunity to reflect, make friends and explore their faith.
Daily prayer and assemblies are another integral aspect of our spiritual life, giving pupils plenty of opportunities for reflection.
Alongside prayer, pupils have regular opportunities to celebrate Mass which cultivates a sense of community and strengthens their connection to God and to each other. We believe that such spiritual opportunities equip our pupils with the virtues necessary to navigate life’s challenges and to contribute positively to the world around them.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
PHILIPPIANS 4:6
Grateful and Generous
“Our Live Simply report commented: The whole integration of the LiveSimply programme of activities into the Catholic life of the school was excellent. These activities come across as not disparate things but part of an integrated effort of developing a deeper understanding of what it means to live out a Christian vocation in the 21st century.”
Chaplaincy is very much at the heart of our school, as pupils learn to be grateful and generous with their God-given gifts. There are dedicated student chaplaincy team members across every year group who are committed to ensuring our Chaplaincy provision is well monitored and accessible to everyone.
CATHOLIC LIFE
One of the stand out qualities of our school community is that of compassion for those in need – our community is dedicated to supporting charities and social action projects that are both local to us here in Birmingham and further afield. Our work regularly supports CAFOD, UNICEF, Show Racism the Red Card, St Chad’s Sanctuary and Stories of Hope and Home.
As well as standing in solidarity with those in need, we carefully consider Pope Francis’ call for us to be stewards of God’s creation. Recently, our community was presented with the Live Simply Award in recognition of our dedication to living simply and sustainably.
As a proud Catholic community, we look to the saints for their example of commitment, courage and faith. We pray that with their intercession, particularly of our Patrons, we may strive for sainthood ourselves! At the beginning of Year 7, our students are placed into a formation group named after and inspired by our five patron saints. Throughout their time at Cardinal Wiseman, students dedicate time to learning about their lives and in doing so, gain a sense of ownership and pride in their formation groups under these impressive people.
THE SCHOOL DAY
“St Ignatius tells us to be attentive to the big and the small things. Once you develop the habit of being attentive, be discerning to what is good for you and what is not; and what God calls you to be, and to do.”
Everything that we do is designed to maximise pupil progress, being attentive and discerning to the small things – we understand that our pupils thrive when time is structured and routines are established.
At Cardinal Wiseman we believe in creating a balanced and enriching school day that fosters academic excellence, personal growth and well-being. Our day begins with the opportunity for all pupils to engage with our online Maths programme, Sparx – giving them time to practise the essential maths skills they need to be successful and to develop their confidence and fluency. This start sets a positive tone for a day of learning and exploration. Pupils attend a series of engaging and interactive lessons, each lasting 50 minutes.
We are attentive and discerning towards the needs of our pupils. We have the highest expectations – we sweat the small stuff. Our established routines in regards to timekeeping and attendance, uniform and the way pupils present themselves help to prepare them for the world of work.
Our commitment to learning extends beyond the classroom with home learning support and extracurricular activities taking place. These range from sports clubs to academic clubs, performing arts to debate, allowing pupils to pursue their interests and develop new skills in a supportive environment.
Attentive and Discerning
“He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.”
ST JOHN HENRY NEWMAN
Our pupils are compassionate and loving by showing respect for themselves and those around them. This builds the right culture which enables pupils to achieve to the best of their abilities.
CULTURE FOR LEARNING
For pupils to learn well, all must behave well. For pupils to understand how to behave well we must build consistent routines for every part of the school day. All members of our learning community should feel that they belong and that they will be challenged to do well. Every pupil at our school is taught that the journey to success requires us to hold consistently high expectations over a long period of time. Our staff hold high expectations for pupils, embedding our routines deeply such that they can be relied upon when things are more challenging. We seek to maximise learning potential by removing the small barriers that can get in the way. When this is done well pupils know exactly what to expect from every member of staff. This is the meaning of ‘All of us – all the time’.
Compassionate and Loving
“The Culture for Learning enables students to have a growth mindset which helps with their self-belief and personal achievement.”
Our academic culture empowers students to become learned and wise, cultivating a sense of curiosity and critical thinking.
ACADEMIC CULTURE
Our approach is rooted in the belief that knowledge is powerful in shaping one’s future. To support this approach, students have access to a range of digital tools and platforms that allow them to access a wealth of resources.
Independent learning is at the heart of our academic culture, as we recognise that it is essential for students to develop the skills and habits necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world. To support this approach, every student has their own device, which they use to complete independent learning. This not only fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability but also enables students to work flexibly and collaboratively, regardless of their location.
Through our 1:1 device program, students are equipped with the tools they need to take responsibility for their own learning. This not only enables them to work more effectively in cementing knowledge into their long term memories, but also prepares them for the digital world beyond school.
“Sparx has transformed my confidence in Maths.”
YEAR 9 PUPIL
“It’s really not just meaningless homework. Our independent learning quizzes us on what we have been taught and helps us to revise.”
YEAR 10 PUPIL
Learned and Wise
As a Catholic school, we strive to educate pupils to become eloquent and truthful, in a way that is rooted in our faith and guided by the values and principles of our Wiseman Virtues.
OUR CURRICULUM
Our knowledge-engaged curriculum has clearly defined aims which are;
• to empower all pupils to achieve to the best of their ability to enable them to be successful in life,
• to enable pupils to seek and find the truth about the world,
• to promote the intellectual development of all pupils.
In order to achieve this our curriculum is research-led and rooted in academic reading ensuring we remain eloquent and truthful when delivering the most powerful knowledge to our pupils. We endeavour to provide them with the skills that they need to flourish in all aspects of their lives and foster a desire for lifelong learning.
By incorporating a research-led approach into our curriculum, we can provide students with a comprehensive education that is grounded in Catholic values and principles.
“The curriculum defines the purpose of a school and the journey it wants its pupils to take.”
KNOWLEDGE AND THE FUTURE SCHOOL
“Our knowledge books help to support our learning – they have everything that we need to help with our learning.”
11 PUPIL
Eloquent and Truthful
Curious and Active
Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School goes above and beyond with our commitment to the wider, personal development of all of our pupils, giving them the opportunities to be more curious and active learners.
WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL?
Our bespoke Transformation Curriculum provides all pupils with a range of enriching experiences that help to develop skills, broaden our pupils’ horizons and prepare pupils to be active citizens that contribute positively to society. Furthermore, the Transformation Curriculum enables pupils to take part in a range of nationally recognised schemes and awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, LAMDA examinations and Debatemate.
At our school, we believe that character education is the foundation for success in both academics and life. We are committed to nurturing not only the minds of our students but also their hearts. We are one of only a few secondary schools in the country to have received the top award for our character provision.
We believe that trips abroad and extra-curricular activities play a vital role in shaping well-rounded individuals. These experiences provide students with opportunities to explore different cultures, develop independence, and broaden their perspectives. Whether it’s a cultural exchange program, a sports team, or a community service project, we encourage our students to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities to enhance their personal growth.
Intentional and Prophetic
“Cardinal Wiseman set me up for my future, it provided me with the knowledge I needed whilst helping to nurture my skill set, preparing me for life after school.”
TAYLA JUDGE,
CARDINAL WISEMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL ALUMNUS
At Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School
we teach the pupils that they must be intentional and prophetic for their futures: they need to proactively plan for their lives beyond school, making the most of all the opportunities they are given.
YOUR FUTURE
In our current school community we have the doctors, nurses, engineers, architects and teachers of the future, and we have an important responsibility to carefully guide the pupils so that they fulfil their God-given potential and are set on the right pathway post-16.
The phrase ‘Totus Tuus’ – ‘Totally Yours’ –underpins our careers programme as we seek to inspire the pupils to pursue their future careers with total commitment and passion, becoming the people God intended them to become.
Our comprehensive careers programme enables all of our pupils, from Year 7 to 11, to make informed choices at every stage of their Cardinal Wiseman journey. We provide impartial advice and guidance, challenge
stereotypes – especially with regards to girls working in the STEM industries, and keep the pupils abreast of the current labour market information and apprenticeship opportunities in this ever-changing world.
We have strong links with local post-16 institutions, apprenticeship providers, employers and our alumni so that the pupils hear from a whole host of different voices. We also work with a number of prestigious Universities, with trips to Oxford and Birmingham being some of the highlights of our careers timetable. At every stage we aim to broaden the pupils’ horizons and set them up for a wonderful, fulfilling life when they leave us. It is testament to everything that we do at Cardinal Wiseman that we have so many of our alumni working with us to inspire the next generation.
