Welcome to the family of Saint Gregory’s
Thank you for taking the time to view our Virtual Open Day. In ordinary circumstances I would welcome you personally to our school and you would have the opportunity to discover Saint Gregory’s and all that it has to offer your child.
When listening to some of the film presentations from our staff and students you will hear the phrase ‘we are a family’ a great deal but this truly is what we believe and feel about our school community. I hope that you will gain a sense of the warmth and friendship you will find at our school through your exploration of our Virtual Experience!
What makes Saint Gregory’s stand out from other schools is our commitment to the young people in our care, a commitment that encourages and inspires every child to fulfil their potential and flourish. We encourage our students to love learning, participate fully in the life of our school and embrace the many opportunities that are on offer.
As a Catholic school we provide our students with a moral compass based on Catholic Social Teaching that supports their growth and development. It is essential that our students are encouraged to have enquiring minds, ask questions and form their own opinions.
Saint Gregory’s is a happy and vibrant school that serves its community. Our academic tradition fosters a culture of enquiry and creativity. We value curiosity and thoughtfulness and are ambitious for our students to achieve success whatever their aspirations.
Through this online platform, we have gathered together films, information and resources to support you as you make the difficult decision of choosing a secondary school for your child. We are always here to support you in this process so, if you have any questions or would like our assistance through the admissions process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Ms Ann Cusack, Headmistress
Supporting you on your journey to secondary
I am delighted to introduce myself to you as the Head of Year 7 and Transition leader here at Saint Gregory’s. The move to secondary school is a very important step in the life of every young person. It is an extremely exciting step, yet can understandably be confusing and overwhelming at times. I am here to support you and guide you through this important decision and welcome you to our school community.
Here at Saint Gregory’s, we strive to promote the dignity and wellbeing of every child and ensure that they flourish in a safe, happy and enriching environment, even when working under the restrictions of the unprecedented times we are currently living in. My main target for the initial part of the year is to settle your sons and daughters into the school and to establish a positive, ambitious and warm ethos for the year group as a whole, by building on the secure foundations and accomplishments your child has already achieved thus far.
As a parent/carer you play an important role in the education of your child, and your encouragement and involvement is valued by all staff and his can help your child excel in all areas. I am passionate about supporting the needs of each individual in the year group and have high expectations not only for myself, but for all members of our school community. I hope you will support my high expectations in all areas, especially in regards to attendance and behaviour which naturally impacts greatly on achievement.
There are many new and exciting opportunities for your child to participate in throughout their time with us. Some of this you will discover through the resources and information contained within this Virtual Open Day but I just want to reiterate that If you have any questions and/or queries, please do please do not hesitate to get in contact. I look forward to meeting you soon and throughout this upcoming year.
Miss E Miller
Head of Year 7 & Transition
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline and how do I apply?
Our full admissions policy is available on our website and applications for Year 7 entry should be made to your home Local Authority before the deadline of 31 October. For further information regarding admissions or to discuss individual needs, please contact the school.
How will you support my son/daughter in their transition from Primary to secondary?
Moving from primary to secondary can be daunting, but it can also be an exciting experience too! At Saint Gregory’s, we work with you and your child’s school to make the journey a happy one so that, when the first day arrives, the adventure is less worrying and more about being a part of our family.
We think it’s important to create a clear pathway to secondary school so that everyone knows what to expect at every stage. Unfortunately, this year, things have changed a bit but we hope to resume normal service soon!
Our transition programme includes:
• A range of primary events held at Saint Gregory’s to help children familiarise themselves with the school and our staff;
• Taster Days to introduce subjects they may not have tried before;
• Masterclasses to build on subject knowledge and explore new topics and ways of learning;
• Activity days to introduce a broad and engaging range of enrichment activities.
Our transition programme continues throughout Year 6 and new pupils who choose Saint Gregory’s can expect to visit the school often ahead of the new academic year.
This includes:
• A personal visit for our feeder primary schools, prior to coming to Saint Gregory’s;
• A warm welcome at our Transition Evening;
• An exciting Transition Day in July to help prepare your son/daughter for Year 7;
• A special Year 7 only Induction Day on their first day in September;
• A team building day and pastoral retreat during your first term to support your child as they establish new friendships;
• An opportunity to act as a School Ambassador at our autumn open events, sharing their journey and experiences of Saint Gregory’s with younger pupils.
Will we get a chance to visit Saint Gregory’s before we need to apply?
We would dearly love to say ‘yes’ but unfortunately, at this stage, we do not know. As soon as we have more information on our Autumn Open Events, we will update this page.
We appreciate that our Virtual Open Day can only convey a small insight into our wonderful school and, whilst we hope that you discover the strong sense of family, warmth and friendship at Saint Gregory’s through your exploration here, it cannot be a replacement for the real thing! We can only promise that we will do our very best to invite you to visit Saint Gregory’s personally and find out more about our outstanding co-educational school, meet our inspiring staff and fantastic students.
Who do I contact if I have any questions?
Our Head of Transition, Miss Miller, is on hand to support you through the next few months as you decide on the best school for your child and your family. She will also be supporting your son/daughter as they join Saint Gregory’s in Year 7 so will be a familiar face that you will get to know her well.
You can email her at millere@st-gregorys.org.uk
For questions about our SEND provision, or support that your child may need when they arrive at Saint Gregory’s, Mrs Stack, will guide you and help you ensure the transition process is as smooth as possible.
You can email her at stackk@st-gregorys.org.uk
For all other general questions please contact the school on 01225 832873 or email us at stgregorys_sec@bathnes.gov.uk and we will be pleased to help you.