Headteacher's Welcome

Welcome to the English Martyrs' Catholic School website. I am very pleased that you have taken the time to come and visit us. I hope that you will find something to interest you on our pages.

Our school is a small Primary school. At the moment we have got 70 children, who are taught in three classes. We have got large grounds which we use in the good weather for sports and other activities.

You can find us in the town of Biddulph, which is situated in the Staffordshire Moorlands. The school opened in 1967, and the building remained very much the same until two years ago when we had a new Staffroom built. This meant that the room which the Staff had been using could now be converted into a Library and mini ICT suite.

We have also been pleased to have new gymnastics equipment installed. The previous equipment had been here since the school was opened, and it was no longer suitable for modern gymnastics lessons. The PTFA (Parent Teacher and Friends Association) gave us a third of the money, and the LEA helped out with a further third. Teachers and other Staff at the school thought of different ways in which they could raise money, too. The whole project cost about £3000, but we have all felt that it is well worth the money.

We have had no famous people passing through the school as pupils, but we do have long associations with many of our past pupils who now bring their own children to us.

The children have the opportunity to attend a range of after school activities. These are mostly run by parents and teachers who give their time and expertise freely.

Clubs at the moment are on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Staff Meetings take place on Mondays, so no teachers are available to supervise a club on that evening.

Tuesday is our very popular Craft Club. The children work on projects ranging from photograph frames to card making. Last December they each made an Advent Calendar from match boxes. Each box held a special treat to be opened on the right day.

On Wednesday the Good Food Club takes place. A smaller group of children work to produce edible treats which they can eat or take home for their family. As well as the practical work of making the food, they also learn a little about food hygiene and how to eat healthily.

We also have activity clubs. A Sports Club has been running for a while, and before that it was Football Training. High Five Netball is the latest sport to be enjoyed at this club.

On Thursdays there is a Computer Club For Girls, which is proving to be very popular.

Friday is Martial Arts Club. This is a popular activity, which is led by a parent who holds the relevant qualifications.

Each afternoon we have an Out of School Care Club. Many parents work, and can't make arrangements for someone else to collect their children from school at bell time, so for a small fee the children can stay in school. We have two Care Club adults who arrange a programme of activities for the children until 5.00pm.