{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Use British English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox school | name = Trinity Catholic School | logo = File:Trinity_School_Logo.jpg | logo_size = 200px | motto = | established = | closed = | type = Academy | trust = Our Lady of the Magnificat MAC | religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic | principal = Bridget Morris | address = Guy's Cliffe Avenue | city = Leamington Spa | county = Warwickshire | postal_code = CV32 6NB | country = England | coordinates = {{coord|52.2960|-1.5517|type:edu_region:GB_dim:100|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | local_authority = Warwickshire | urn = 148362 | ofsted = Yes | staff = | enrolment = 615 | enrolment_as_of = 2018 | gender = Mixed | lower_age = 11 | upper_age = 18 | houses = | colours = | publication = | website = {{URL|www.trinity-school.org.uk}} }}
'''Trinity Catholic School''' is a mixed Catholic secondary school and sixth form located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England.
Following an Ofsted inspection in 2009, the school was given a Grade 3 (satisfactory) rating for its overall performance.<ref name="ofsted">{{cite web|url=http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/display/(id)/81316|title=Ofsted report 2007}}</ref> Another Ofsted inspection took place in June 2013, the school had improved and received a Grade 2 (Good) and again in 2017. In January 2023, Ofsted downgraded the school to .<ref name="ofsted"/> In 2017, the school received another Ofsted Grade 2 (Good). In January 2023, following a full inspection, Ofsted downgraded the school to “Inadequate”, with quality of education, leadership and management and personal development rated as “Requires Improvement”, while the behaviour and attitudes category was rated “inadequate”. A full inspection by Ofsted a year later showed some improvement resulting in a rating upgrade in January 2024 to “Requires Improvement”.<ref name="Ofsted report">{{cite web |url=https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50212541 |publisher=Ofsted}}</ref>
Until September 2005 when they were amalgamated, the school operated from two separate campuses: Dormer Hall on Myton Road in Warwick, and Bishop Bright Hall/Freeman Hall on Guy's Cliffe Avenue in Leamington Spa.
At the beginning of the 2012 term, Dr Jim Ferguson retired and Chris Gabbett was appointed in his place.
In February 2017, the school announced the potential temporary closure of the schools sixth form due to serious money budget issues.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} It was suggested The Sixth Form officially closed in September of the same year.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} Following a four-week [http://www.trinity-school.org.uk/consultation-document/ consultation], the Governing Body decided to recommend that the school sixth form remain open.<ref>{{cite web |title=CoG-letter-sixth-form_1.pdf |work=Letter to Trinity Catholic School Stakeholders|date=17 March 2017|url=http://www.trinity-school.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/CoG-letter-sixth-form_1.pdf}}</ref> The school continues to operate a sixth form to this day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trinity Catholic School – Sixth Form |url=https://www.trinity-school.org.uk/page/?title=Sixth+Form&pid=8}}</ref>
Previously a voluntary aided school administered by Warwickshire County Council, in January 2021 Trinity Catholic School converted to academy status. The school is now sponsored by the Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi Academy Company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Schools – Our Lady of the Magnificat |url=https://www.magnificat.org.uk/our-academies/}}</ref>
==Ethos== Trinity was founded as a liberal Catholic school. Teachers were called by their first names, and students didn't wear uniform. Since 1989, the school has become slightly less liberal, and in 2002 uniform was introduced, although many parents and pupils tried to protest this.<ref name="CET20Mar2002">{{cite news |title=Governors vote for uniform at Trinity |date=20 March 2002 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref>
==History== The school was founded as an amalgamation of two Catholic schools in the area: Bishop Bright Grammar School and Dormer High School. Dormer High School opened in Myton Road, Warwick, in 1959.<ref>{{cite web |title=The borough of Warwick: Public education |work=British History Online |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=16059 |publisher=University of London & History of Parliament Trust}}</ref> Bishop Bright Grammar School opened in 1966, with Peter Hastings as its founding headmaster.<ref name=IND12Jan1995>{{cite news |title=Tables made of wood from skips |date=12 January 1995 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/tables-made-of-wood-from-skips-1567684.html |work=The Independent |publisher=independent.co.uk |location=London}}</ref> It was built on a new site at Guy's Cliffe Avenue, Leamington Spa.
In 1976, the two original schools were merged to form a new Catholic comprehensive school.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=John |date=2012-07-16 |title=Peter Hastings obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/16/peter-hastings |access-date=2024-04-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> For a number of years the school remained divided between the two original sites; named as Bishop Bright Hall, in Guy's Cliffe Avenue and Dormer Hall in Myton Road. A sixth-form college, named Freeman Hall, was added to the Guy's Cliffe site. In February 1999 the school announced its intention to combine all of the school facilities onto a single site.<ref name="CET12Feb1999">{{cite news |title=Move to bring school together |date=12 February 1999 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref> In September 2005, following the completion of a multimillion-pound extension, they were amalgamated at the Guy's Cliffe Avenue site in Leamington Spa.<ref name="ofsted"/>
===Introduction of uniform=== Pupils were allowed to wear casual clothes of their own choosing; a rule in place from the school's foundation. In March 2002, after prolonged discussion, and in the face of considerable opposition from parents, students and teachers, the school governors decided that a uniform was to be introduced the following school year.<ref name="CET20Mar2002"/><ref name="CET05Dec2001">{{cite news |title=School uniform takes a new twist |date=5 December 2001 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref> During the following months parents, students, and the school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) fought to get the decision overturned.<ref name="CET2Apr2002">{{cite news |title=Battle Plans Drawn Over Uniforms |date=2 April 2002 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref> Under a newly appointed temporary head, plans to introduce the uniform were put on hold in September 2002.<ref name="CET04Sep2002">{{cite news |title=New Trinity head on secondment; Uniform Issue on Hold as School Seen Through First Term |date=4 September 2002 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref>
In October 2003, a uniform was finally imposed for new-starters for the following (2004/5) school year. Pupils organised demonstrations, and lessons were boycotted in protest against the way the decision had been taken. The school stated that parents of pupils starting at the school wanted the uniforms and characterised the protestors as not being representative of the majority view,<ref name="LSC02Oct2003">{{cite news |title=Student Boycott Over Trinity Uniform Plans |date=2 October 2003 |work=Leamington Spa Courier}}</ref> and the PTA was criticised for lobbying the parents, pupils and teachers to continue the protest.<ref name="LSC10Oct2003">{{cite news |title=Trinity's PTA Criticised Over Uniform Row |date=10 October 2003 |work=Leamington Spa Courier}}</ref> The Member of Parliament for the area became involved, inviting the Archbishop of Birmingham to intervene and help to resolve the disagreement.<ref name="LSC23Oct2003">{{cite news |title=Archbishop Approached Over Trinity Dispute |date=23 October 2003 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref> In November 2003, at the annual meeting of the PTA, a clear majority of parents supported a vote of no-confidence in the governing body, calling for them to resign.<ref name="CET23Feb2004">{{cite news |title=Uniform saga: County will not get Involved |date=23 February 2004 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref>
The protests failed however, and on the first day of the 2004/5 school year, new pupils arrived at the school wearing the uniform.<ref name="CET07Sep2004">{{cite news |title=Pupils arrive in uniform after protests |date=7 September 2004 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref>
==Notable alumni== {{more citations needed section|date=February 2021}}
* Tony Sugden (b. 1989), athlete/rapper, also Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Greater Manchester (2010– ) * Toby Perkins (b. 1970), politician, Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Chesterfield (2010– )<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/toby-perkins/|title=Toby Perkins|website=Politics.co.uk}}</ref> * Si Begg (b. 1972) – musician/producer * Kate Fleetwood (b. 1972) – actress * Cristian Vogel (b. 1972) – musician/producer * Luella Bartley (b. 1974) – fashion designer * Robert Hall (b. 1977) – actor * Kirsty Gogan (b. 1975) – climate entrepreneur and activist * Sam Troughton (b. 1977) – actor * Jim Troughton (b. 1979) – professional cricketer, Warwickshire County Cricket Club * Jordan Shipley (b. 1997) – professional footballer, Coventry City F.C. * Luke Concannon and John Parker, musicians who performed as Nizlopi<ref>{{cite web|title=Nizlopi's new sound|url=http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local-news/nizlopi-s-new-sound-1-1045632|date=4 September 2006 |work=Leamington Courier}}</ref> * Naomi Phoenix – musician<ref>{{cite web|title=Naomi dreams of a hit with her debut song; Fame calls but aim is to enjoy making music|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Naomi+dreams+of+a+hit+with+her+debut+song%3B+Fame+calls+but+aim+is+to...-a060464690|date=8 March 1999 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}}</ref> * Tony Tobin – celebrity chef
===Bishop Bright RC Grammar School=== * Rory Murphy (b. 1955) – trade union leader, General Secretary (1995–99) NatWest Staff Association, Joint General Secretary (1999–2004) UNIFI
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.trinity-school.org.uk/}} *[http://intranet.trinity-school.org.uk/ Trinity Intranet]
{{Schools in Warwickshire}} {{warwick district}} {{Archdiocese of Birmingham}} {{authority control}}
Category:Secondary schools in Warwickshire Category:Catholic secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Birmingham Category:Academies in Warwickshire Category:Schools in Leamington Spa Category:Educational institutions established in 1976 Category:1976 establishments in England Category:School buildings completed in 2005