“Welcome to St.Edward’s.”

“I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.”

[John 10:10] School Mission Statement.

Welcome to St. Edward’s ~ a highly popular Catholic primary school situated in the East of Oldham, serving its home parish of St. Edward’s (Lees), and its bordering neighbour - the parish of Sacred Heart & St. William (Uppermill) which doesn’t have a school of its own. St. Edward’s caters for the full primary age range (children aged 4 – 11), and it has its own on-site Nursery unit which takes children in the twelve months prior to commencing school proper. You may be at the point of making decisions about your child’s first school (and how quickly they reach school age!) … or, it may be that you are moving into the area with children who are already of school age, and you are wondering which school best fits your requirements. For most Catholic parents who are already associated with St. Edward’s through its Church (and its parish priest Canon Eugene Dolan) the word “choice” won’t come into it …. there will only be one name on the list ~ St. Edward’s RC Primary. Indeed many families pay us the highest of compliments, willing to travel considerable distances from outlying districts and rejecting more conveniently situated schools to secure a place at St. Edward’s. But for anyone knowing little or nothing about us it may be a case of considering all options before making a decision.

  OfSTED reports, SATs results, league-table positions …. modern technology means that parents can now trawl the internet drawing comparisons between one school and another until, on statistical evidence alone, the best one selects itself. If these “indicators” are your means of selection you will find St. Edward’s has much to celebrate ~ the school places high expectations on itself.

  But as a Catholic headteacher proud of his school, and proud of the quality of the “end-product” it produces I would invite you to consider a different selection process …..

• a school which actively promotes a Catholic vision of life, and supports the child (and the family) at every stage of their faith journey

• a school which welcomes children into a happy, caring, friendly environment ; where “attendance” isn’t an issue … simply because our children love coming to school

• a school where good pupil discipline underpins the way children and adults treat each other … with dignity & respect

• a school where children are stimulated & motivated to learn, thriving on personal achievement (and one which values & celebrates the contribution of less-able children every bit as much as those of pupils who excel)

• a school which is concerned with, but not driven by, Government targets, SAT’s results, league tables etc.

• a school which endeavours to develop each child to the full (physically, socially, culturally, spiritually and yes, academically)

• a school which prepares children, not for exams …. but for life.

St. Edward’s offers this vision, and more. And history shows that the overwhelming majority of parents who made St. Edward’s their choice were not disappointed.