St Filumena’s Catholic Primary School, in Stoke-on-Trent, has scooped the accolade of Primary School of the Year in the West Midlands 2025, in the new Sunday Times Parent Power schools guide.

Edward Howard, Executive Principal at the Birmingham Archdiocese-based school, said the announcement was a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone connected to the school.

He said: “We are absolutely thrilled, this is fantastic news for the St Filumena’s family. To be named Primary School of the Year in the West Midlands is a huge achievement. Everyone at St Filumena's believes that education involves more than just delivering the National Curriculum. We equip our pupils with the skills and attitudes they need to become confident, independent and successful learners based on our Catholic values. 

“Our motto 'I am loved' serves as a constant reminder to all to achieve their true potential as a unique child of God. The school has high expectations of all pupils regardless of ability, creed or gender. We instil our pupils with a sense of personal and collective responsibility, and we place a great emphasis on the personal, social, spiritual and health education of our pupils. 

“The school works to enable everyone to become a responsible, happy and tolerant citizen in order to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in our rapidly changing society.”

Mr Howard explained the school’s curriculum vehicles are learning themes taught alongside the National Curriculum and often go beyond its scope to equip pupils with essential skills necessary for the future, incorporating teamwork, relationships, cultural appreciation, managing time and resources, as well as global awareness and responsibility.

In October, Ofsted judged St Filumena’s to be outstanding in all areas of work, achieving the highest possible recognition, stating: "This school provides an exceptional standard of education because of the clear vision and supportive culture that has been developed. In partnership with the trust, leaders are insistent that every pupil will achieve well.”

Earlier this year St Filumena’s received three letters for academic achievements from the Minister of Schools. The first letter recognised the school as being in the top 1% of primary schools nationally for end of primary school achievement; the second for being in the top 200 schools nationally for the Year 4 multiplication check; and the third for being in the top 1% of primary schools nationally for Year 1 phonics, with 100 percent of pupils in Year 1 at St Filumena’s meeting the expected standard.

St Filumena’s also holds an Artsmark Silver Award; CAFOD’s LiveSimply Award and Excellence in Music Gold Award.

The school is part of the Painsley Catholic Academy group of schools in north Staffordshire.

Cardinal Pole Catholic School, in Hackney, Westminster Archdiocese, has been won the prestigious School of the Year category at the National Schools Awards 2024.

The National Schools Awards celebrate excellence across the education sector. Schools are shortlisted in one of eight categories, with a panel of industry experts selecting the winners. Judges from the National Governance Association and the Confederation of School Trusts use their expertise to recognise schools demonstrating outstanding achievement.

This award recognises schools that have significantly improved pupil outcomes, overcome challenges, or shown exceptional dedication to their communities. Judges agreed that Cardinal Pole Catholic School provides outstanding educational outcomes for their students, making them a deserving winner.

The announcement was made last night during a ceremony at the House of Lords. Baroness Berridge, former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the School System, praised the awards for recognising the “skill, commitment, and hard work it takes to deliver the best possible education.” These values are central to everything we do at Cardinal Pole.

Adam Hall, Executive Headteacher, said: "I would like to personally thank everyone who makes our school such a special place—from our students and their families to our dedicated staff, who work tirelessly to ensure each student has the opportunity to soar. This award is a testament to the collective effort of our community, and we remain focused on continuing to deliver an outstanding education for all our students.”

Alex O’Donoghue, Head of School, said: "Every member of Cardinal Pole—students, staff, and families—has contributed to making our school an outstanding place of learning and growth. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and excited about what lies ahead as we continue to strive for excellence."

Shiphrah, Oyinlola, and Tommy, Head Students, said: "Cardinal Pole is more than a school; it’s a family where everyone is supported to achieve their best. This award celebrates not just our achievements but also the sense of community and care that makes our school so unique. We are proud to represent such an inspiring place."

Find out more about Cardinal Pole Catholic School

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The final week of the Church’s liturgical year begins with the Solemnity of Christ the King (this year – Sunday 24 November), which we now celebrate annually as World Youth Sunday. On the following Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, its new liturgical year begins and the readings from the Holy Scriptures at Mass gradually build a sense of joyful hope and expectation which reaches its peak with the celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  

A week later, on 1 January, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and the calendar year of the world is renewed. The liturgies of Advent, Christmas and the Mass on New Year’s Day are suffused with hope and joy. Hope and joy are among the baptismal gifts given to every Christian person and are the birthright especially of children and young people as they start out on their journey of life.

The theme given by the Holy Father Pope Francis for upcoming Jubilee Year 2025 is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and so this Advent our Catholic schools and educational establishments will be inviting children and young people to deepen their relationship with God, and to prepare to celebrate with hope and joy the birth of His Son in flesh and His promise to be with us through His Holy Spirit until the end of time.

An essential principle of Catholic education is the primacy of parents as the first teachers of their children. It recognises that, “Families are the first place where the values of love and fraternity, togetherness and sharing, concern and care for others are lived out and handed on” (Pope Francis – Fratelli Tutti, §114). The Catholic education provided by the Church’s schools, colleges and universities can only build upon that faith which is lived within the family and the home; but they are also communities of Christian hope and learning where that faith can grow in our children and young people and help them flourish.

Ahead of the coming holiday period, therefore, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to school leaders, teachers, learning assistants, chaplains and all those employed in our diocesan schools, colleges and universities, for their dedicated work within the Catholic education sector.

In a similar way, I would like to express my thanks to the governors and trust boards of all our Catholic educational institutions, who give so generously of their time and expertise to volunteer in ensuring the highest standards of education are maintained.

I pray that the Lord will bless you, your families and loved ones through these hopeful days of Advent and Christmas, and may He keep you safe throughout the Jubilee Year of 2025.

With the assurance of my prayers for you all, I remain,

Your servant in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rt Rev Marcus Stock
Chair of the Catholic Education Service
Bishop of Leeds

St Mary’s (pictured), one of four Catholic universities in England, has announced plans to open a new school of medicine on its Strawberry Hill campus in Twickenham.

The announcement comes after the General Medical Council (GMC) provided assurance that St Mary’s is currently on track and making good progress towards required standards for medical education. The university will initially be recruiting international students and plans to welcome its first cohort in September 2026.

Speaking of the news, St Mary’s University (SMU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony McClaran said: “The launch of a school of medicine is a cornerstone of the university’s plan for strategic growth and is in keeping with our tradition of delivering a sustained, positive impact on society.

“The school will not only contribute to the workforce development demands in the UK for more doctors and medical professionals, but it will also train global professionals able to work anywhere in the world. Our approach to developing the whole person during students’ time at SMU will mean medics of the future will leave this university with the technical and personal skills they need to deliver truly holistic, compassionate, patient-centred care.”

Interim Founding Dean of the School of Medical Professor Michael Bewick added: "Complemented by the existing successful Allied Health and Sports Science provision, St Mary’s is the natural place to establish a forward-thinking centre of medical training. I am delighted we are making consistent steps forward in making this ambition a reality.”

In a further development, SMU has also signed a new curriculum partnership with the University of Central Lancashire. The partnership will see SMU use the University of Central Lancashire’s Bachelor Medicine Bachelor Surgery curriculum in the development of the School of Medicine and their commitment as SMU’s contingency partner throughout the GMC accreditation process.

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health and Campus Development) Professor Cathy Jackson was the Founding Head of the University of Central Lancashire’s Medical School. She joined the institution in 2014 to set up the university’s medical school and led the team through to full accreditation of the programme by the GMC.

Professor Jackson said: “Opening a brand-new medical school will present St Mary’s University with the ability to teach the next generation of professionals in a modern way.

“When the University of Central Lancashire opened its new medical school, my team had the unique opportunity of writing a curriculum from scratch that would be fit for the long-term future.

“The University of Central Lancashire’s Medical School will now support St Mary’s new medical school as it’s contingent partner as it progresses through all the stages to full GMC accreditation, and I’m delighted they’ll now deliver the curriculum we created to their new cohort of students.”

St Mary's new school of medicine will benefit from the latest technology, new facilities, and advanced teaching practices, building on its proven history of teaching excellence and student satisfaction. SMU is currently placed in the Top 10 nationally for student experience and the Top 5 nationally for teaching quality in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

The GMC oversees both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and training in the UK. Any institution looking to establish a new medical school or training programme must demonstrate that it meets the GMC’s standards by being subject to an extensive period of quality assurance. SMU is pleased to have been granted permission to move to the next phase of its School of Medicine and the University will be submitting further evidence to GMC as it works towards the final timetable.

Once complete, SMU’s new medical school will operate alongside health and medical schools at England's three other Catholic universities: Birmingham Newman University, Leeds Trinity University and Liverpool Hope University.

Find out more about the School of Medicine

Watch Prof Anthony McClaran and Prof Michael Bewick discuss the St Mary's School of Medicine