The Right Reverend Bishop Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton, visited St Joseph’s Catholic College this week to bless the St Aquinas Centre. The Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Imtiyaz Shaikh, was also in attendance, along with other invited guests.
The St Aquinas Centre serves as the school’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) unit, offering 60 places for students with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Each student is supported based on their specific needs, ensuring they receive the tailored assistance necessary for their education.
September 2024 marked the first year the Centre reached full capacity, with 12 students in each year group. During his visit, the Bishop shared the story of Saint Aquinas, the patron saint of scholars, who overcame early challenges in his life and education before becoming a distinguished philosopher and theologian.
In addition to leading the main liturgy of the Blessing, the Bishop also blessed each classroom individually, speaking to students in every year group as he moved through the Centre.
Jerry Giles, Principal of St Joseph’s, expressed his pride in the occasion: “This was a fantastic moment for our students in the St Aquinas Centre – one that they will remember for years to come.
“We take great pride in the work carried out at the St Aquinas Centre, and I know our students were delighted to have their area blessed, to meet the Right Reverend Bishop MacDonald, and to welcome the Mayor to the event.”
As the Bishop departed, 150 students formed a Guard of Honour, and he took the time to ‘high five’ each one as he passed through.
Councillor Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, commended the school’s efforts: “St Joseph’s has done a remarkable job with the Aquinas Centre, reinforcing the College’s vision of providing a fully inclusive learning environment. It was wonderful for Bishop Bosco to see first-hand the excellent SEND provision in place.
“As a council, we are committed to increasing SEND places in our schools and are planning to expand provision by an additional 158 places. We are working with multi-academy trusts and maintained schools to finalise which institutions will be part of this initiative.
“St Joseph’s stands as an excellent example of how this type of provision can work in practice, and I am confident that, with the Bishop’s blessing, it will continue to thrive.”
Places in the St Aquinas Centre are allocated via the SEND Team at Swindon Borough Council. Parents interested in securing a place for their child are encouraged to contact the school, which will be happy to arrange a tour and answer any questions.
