Our Academy

A SHORT HISTORY

The early history of St Hugh’s Catholic School is set against an historical background, which dates back to the relief act of 1778, which enabled the first Catholic Secondary School to be built.  In 1883 the Government took an interest in Primary Schools, and later Government Grant became available to Catholic Schools.

In 1835 Saint Hugh’s School started in 13 Mint Lane Lincoln.  It commenced as an inter-denominational School and charged a fee of 1d to 4d weekly. The records show that there were 130 Scholars on roll.  The official opening of Friars Lane Catholic School took place on Monday 24th August 1874.  Miss Annie Beardshaw was the Headmistress and the Very Rev. Canon Croft was Parish Priest.

Throughout these years, the School increased in numbers, until the population growth of the Catholic Community in the South of the City in the 1990’s, proved that the site on Friars Lane was inadequate to cater for the demand for places.

The 30th March 1994 marked the final “Chapter” to the site of St Hugh’s School building in Friars Lane.

The transfer of Saint Hugh’s School to Woodfield Avenue, South of the City, opened its doors to 238 pupils on Thursday 21st April 1994.

The School was originally planned around a central landscaped courtyard, however a number of building projects have been completed. An outdoor learning area for Foundation stage and extra teaching and learning classrooms have been added within the school. Outside there are parking facilities in front, and along the side of the School.  There are ten classrooms leading out to a spacious cloakroom area. There are two playgrounds for Infants and Juniors, and a playing field for sports. From our Assembly/Gymnasium hall can be viewed the majestic Lincoln Cathedral, ever reminding us of our Patron, Saint Hugh.

AIMS OF THE SCHOOL

We would like all children at St Hugh’s to reach their maximum potential within a happy, secure Christian environment.

To achieve these aims, the School will:

1)        Create a happy, stimulating and caring Christian environment.

2)        Promote close co-operation between school, home and parish.

3)        Offer each pupil a sound training in the basic skills in order that the pupils may cope that much better with their future education and everyday life.

4)        Enjoyment in learning.

5)        Ability to think for themselves.

6)        Good training to enable all children to live together as part of a happy community.

7)        Sound development in initiative, critical thinking and creative arts.

8)        Ensure the effective implementation of the National Curriculum without loss to the development of the “whole” child whilst maintaining basic Gospel values.

9)        Develop an understanding and knowledge of the teaching of the Catholic Church and its ministry within society.

10)     Develop an enjoyment of physical activities, drama, movement and mime together with a range of recreational games and skills.

11)      Establish an environment within which teaching and non-teaching staff, governors, parents, parishioners and advisory colleagues can work with each other for the successful achievement of these aims. These statements will give overall direction to the work of the school in the 2000’s.  They commit the school to a wide range of activities; taken together they represent all our efforts to create the Catholic atmosphere/ethos – given expression in Section 13 of the Bishop’s Joint Pastoral Letter for Education (Sunday 27th January, 1991).

“Let us remind ourselves about some of the hopes we have of our schools and colleges.  They should provide an experience of a living and worshipping community and in this way contribute to the entry of their members into the full life of the Church.   They should be so inspired by the gospel that they are seen to be a genuine alternative to other forms of schooling”.

How can a Catholic school or college be really distinctive?  How can it be rooted in the gospel?  It must be seen to be a good school, which offers a high standard of education.  Its distinctive feature will depend on a large number of factors:  the emphasis given to RE and Worship; the attempt to live by and promote the teaching of our Lord and his Church concerning faith and moral living; the emphasis given to values such as respect for others, forgiveness, trust, freedom and justice; the partnership that exists between home and parish.  These are signs of its being a living and worshipping community.  These are the signs we must look for and support”.