Welcome to Archbishop Ilsley’s brand new website!

My name is Ciaran Clinton and I am the Head Teacher of Archbishop Ilsley. It is an absolute privilege to lead this wonderful school and work with dedicated, caring, and highly committed staff who teach and support all the talented and extremely friendly pupils who attend this school.

In terms of ethos as a Catholic school, the teaching of Jesus Christ underpins all that we do. In the words of St Matthew, we want all pupils to “let their light shine.” As well as teaching them an engaging and well-sequenced curriculum, we also pride ourselves on developing the whole person. We run an extensive Duke of Edinburgh Programme which is one of the most popular in Birmingham. Catholic Social Teaching with an onus on looking after those less fortunate than ourselves is promoted at every opportunity.

We are also inspired by the example of our patron whom the school is named after. Edward Ilsley born in 1838 was the first Archbishop of Birmingham. He was passionate about caring for and supporting the local community of Acocks Green and was a huge advocate for Catholic education.

We are fortunate to enjoy very strong links with our neighbouring church Sacred Heart and Holy Souls. Canon Jonathan and Father Marco are regular visitors to our school. If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to visit their beautiful church. You can find mass times and newsletters on their website.

Our school is a proud member of the St Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy Company (MAC). We enjoy excellent relationships with all the schools in the MAC. You can find more about the MAC here.

I hope you enjoy exploring our extensive website. I would urge you to read our newsletter the ABI Update, and visit our Twitter account @ABIlsley to get a flavour of all the events taking place in our faith-filled and joyful school.

Seeing as though Pope Emeritus Benedict after all his service to God and the Church passed away recently, I thought it fitting to finish my message with an excerpt from the speech he delivered at the ‘Big Assembly’ back in September 2010. It seems very fitting for the Archbishop Ilsley Community in 2023. Canon Jonathan actually quoted this in his sermon to staff in the beautiful mass we attended on my first day in post on Tuesday 3rd January 2023:

“A good school provides a rounded education for the whole person, and a good Catholic school over and above this should help all its students to become saints. I know that there are many non-Catholics studying in the Catholic schools in Great Britain, and I wish to include all of you in my words today. I pray that you too will feel encouraged to practice virtue and to grow in knowledge and friendship with God alongside your Catholic classmates. You are a reminder to them of the bigger picture that exists outside the school, and indeed it is only right that respect and friendship for members of other religious traditions should be among the virtues learned in a Catholic school. I hope too that you will want to share with everyone you meet, the values and insights you have learned through the Christian education you have received.”

Thank you for reading my message. If you are a current pupil, parent, or member of staff, I hope you feel it reflects the special place that Archbishop Ilsley is. If you are a prospective pupil, sixth former, or member of staff, I would encourage you to get in contact and arrange to visit us soon.

Ciaran Clinton

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Welcome to Archbishop Ilsley’s brand new website!

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