Holy Family Catholic School in Keighley: The facts

The Holy Family Catholic school is a mixed-ability comprehensive school specialising in languages. As the name suggests, it serves the Roman Catholic community in the town of Keighly, West Yorkshire in England. Situated close to Skipton, it is regarded as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The school is well-established within both the Roman Catholic and wider community in this part of West Yorkshire.

History & location

Overview The Holy Family Catholic School is defined as a voluntary-aided Catholic comprehensive school, catering for 11-19-year-old students. It is situated in the town of Keighly. There are approximately 820 students enrolled from years 7-11
(11-16 year olds), while 130 or so students attend Sixth Form classes. Buildings & facilities The school was built in the 1960s, with extensions recently taking place to many of the buildings on the site. There is also a chapel on the site, which was refurbished in 2001, and remains in use throughout the school day. The school's facilities are often used by the local wider community, and the buildings often remain open until 9pm.
Relations The school is a designated language college which is expanding and over subscribed, while it also enjoys strong relations with the local feeder schools in Keighly and Skipton.

Learning & ethos

Catholicism
Religious education is taught in accordance with the rites and doctrines of the Catholic church, and the Roman Catholic underpins the school's fundamental principles. A wide variety of liturgies and spiritual exercises take place as a normal part of school life, and a chaplain is frequently in attendance on site. Religious opportunities Students are offered the opportunity to go on two pilgrimages whilst at the school. They can go to Croagh Patrick in Ireland in Year Nine, and to Lourdes in France in Year 10. All students attend assemblies, Mass and seasonal devotions during Lent and Advent.
Holy Family Holy Family school offers an 'Associated Sixth Form' for students aged 16-19 in partnership with another local school, although in recent years the Association has expanded and now involves other local schools with Holy Family and the local College of Education. There is currently a much wider confederation of six local high schools and Leeds City College, Keighley Campus, which is a college of Further Education. Around
250 students in total are part of this program, with just over half coming from Holy Family.