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Archbishop Illsley is a school built upon faith, aspiration and community. From the moment you enter our
school, you experience the warmth, care and sense of purpose that make our community so special.
Rooted in our Catholic ethos, we are committed to ensuring that every young person is known, valued and
encouraged to “let their light shine” through their learning, service and relationships with others.
Our vision is inspired by Christ’s call to:
“Love one another, as I have loved you.”
This message lies at the heart of all we do. We strive to provide a broad, balanced and ambitious
curriculum that enables every pupil to flourish academically, spiritually and personally. We believe that
every child is loved, willed and necessary, with unique God-given gifts and talents to nurture and celebrate.
At Archbishop Illsley, we are proud of our dedicated staff, families and pupils. Our aim is to work together
to create a culture of high expectations, compassion and opportunity. Alongside academic excellence, we
encourage pupils to grow in confidence, integrity and service, becoming responsible citizens who
contribute positively to the world around them.
Central to our culture are our clear school expectations: Be Ready, Be Safe, Be Respectful and Kind. These
values underpin every aspect of school life and aim to create a calm, purposeful environment our pupils
deserve. We are unapologetically ambitious for every child and uncompromising in our commitment to
high standards of behaviour, attendance, uniform and learning. We believe that excellence is achieved
through consistency, discipline, hard work and mutual respect.
Being ready means arriving each day prepared to learn, contribute and make the most of every
opportunity. Being safe ensures that all members of our community feel secure, valued and supported.
Being respectful and kind reflects our Catholic mission to uphold the dignity of every person and to treat
one another with compassion, courtesy and integrity.
At Archbishop Illsley, high standards are not barriers to success; they are the foundation of it. Our pupils
will thrive because they are challenged, supported and encouraged to take pride in themselves, their
school and their achievements. We expect the very best because we believe every young person is capable
of greatness.
As Interim Principal, I look forward to working closely with pupils, parents, staff, governors and our wider
community as we continue to build the strong foundations of Archbishop Illsley Catholic College. Together,
we will ensure that every pupil is equipped with the knowledge, skills, faith and aspiration needed to
achieve their full potential and fulfil their vocation in life.
Thank you for visiting our website. I hope it gives you a sense of the vibrant, disciplined and caring
community we are building and privileged to serve.
May God continue to bless our school community with hope, love, joy and peace.
Mr D Hearnden
Interim Principal