cardinal
vaughan memorial school
Welcome
I am very pleased to welcome you to Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School. It is a privilege to lead this wonderful community and I am very proud of the many achievements you will find described in these pages.
We are determined to draw out and develop the aptitudes and talents of all our pupils. At the heart of the School lies our Catholic ethos, which underpins everything we do. Quite simply, we see our principal role, as a Catholic school, to be a seed-ground for the apostolic mission of the Church. The School aims, through its commitment to Catholic teaching, to prepare our pupils to undertake their responsibilities as Catholics in society Working in partnership with parents, we aim to foster in our pupils a love for the Church which will help them to grow and develop as they make their way through life.
In this, I believe, we are successful, as our outstanding public examination results, which far exceed national averages, show 2024 was another fine year for A-Level results, with 45 4% at A* and A (as opposed to the national average of 27.8%), and 75.2% at A* to B. At GCSE, 37.2% of grades were 9 & 8, and well over half (58.1%) 9, 8 or 7. The magnificent results speak eloquently for themselves and keep Cardinal Vaughan one of the highest performing comprehensive schools in the country.
Paul Stubbings Headmaster
amare et servire
The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School is an academy in the Archdiocese of Westminster. The School has a strong Catholic ethos, a pan-London intake, a tradition of outstanding academic outcomes and a strong regard for good behaviour, self-discipline and self-improvement among its pupils.
The purpose of the School is best expressed in the words of Cardinal Manning, which appear in the preamble to our Mission Statement: we seek ‘the formation of the whole person: intellect, heart, will, character and soul.’ At a fundamental level, then, our vision for what this Catholic school should (and can) achieve is in a sense pre-packaged. Our aim is to make this ideal a reality.
We aim to preserve these unchanging ideals in the context of a rapidly changing world We want the school to be progressive in the truest sense; in other words, we must identify and retain the best of the old and graft this to the best of the new, so that the foundations on which our pupils’ progress is built are strong and lasting. This, in practice, will entail a remorseless focus on tailoring our practice to suit the multifold needs of our pupils, whatever their ability, so that their development – be it academic, spiritual, social, moral, sporting or aesthetic – is as firmly embedded and lasting as possible
This will require a blend of intellectual coherence, intelligent recalibration of existing good practice to ensure lasting improvement, energetic action and systematic monitoring to ensure that the needs of a changing intake are constantly met. For the whole school community, it demands (and, hopefully, entails) unity of purpose
Ofsted outstanding
Highlights from Ofsted 2021
'Pupils grow and flourish in every way here. They are extremely proud to be part of this strong and caring school community. Leaders and staff have very high expectations for all pupils. They work together to help pupils develop into wellrounded individuals who love learning and achieve highly
Pupils’ behaviour is exceptional They treat each other and staff with dignity and respect Pupils share the aspirations leaders and staff have for them and value their support. Pupils want to be the best they can be, both at school and in the future.
Pupils told inspectors that they feel happy and safe here If pupils do have concerns, they know who to speak to They are confident staff will listen to them On the rare occasions when bullying occurs, staff are swift to deal with this effectively.
Academic study is balanced with pupils’ wider development. Leaders encourage all pupils to broaden their experiences They offer plentiful extra-curricular activities to enrich pupils’ learning This includes a huge variety of clubs, musical opportunities and overseas trips
Leaders provide a rich and extensive curriculum for all pupils. They have high expectations and challenging standards. These apply to all areas of school life. Pupils achieve highly in all their subjects. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged '
Catholic Life
We are a Catholic community, committed in our Mission Statement to the vision of the School as a spiritual building whose cornerstone is Christ and whose foundations are the Apostles and Prophets. It follows that our community must be one of love, all of whose members honour the Christ they find in one another
Each person in the School, no matter what his or her worldly status, deserves to be treated with the respect and, indeed, reverence due to one created in the image of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.
At Cardinal Vaughan, our school motto is Amare et Servire, so love and service are key elements of the School ethos We encourage our pupils to accept leadership roles and demonstrate love and service in action to ensure that the Catholic school ethos is carried across all areas of school life.
“We have all lived out our school motto to love and serve during our time at Cardinal Vaughan. I enjoyed my time partaking in the variety of clubs the school has to offer and though our netball match was not as successful as those of the football and rugby teams, it was the most memorable match I have played, to say the least We all came together and bonded through our motto and I hope it is something we all continue to live by ”
Keoni
M, Head Girl (2023-24)
"Cardinal Vaughan offers young people a first-class Catholic education and a wonderful preparation for later life. Our leavers go on to a wide variety of top universities and carry with them impressive personal qualities which ensure that they are equipped to continue developing as Catholics in an increasingly complex world: I am proud that we encourage our pupils to regard their faith as a gift to be actively nurtured rather than passively received "
Paul Stubbings, Headmaster
Life at the Vaughan
Curriculum
The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School is highly acclaimed for its outstanding academic results. In addition, we encourage pupils to develop their own interests and achieve far more than just examination success.
The many opportunities to excel, both within and beyond the classroom, provide an environment in which every individual can develop their talents to the full
The School regards the regular performance of homework as being of the first importance and pupils adhere to a daily homework schedule
Key Stage Three
The School introduced a two-year key stage three curriculum in September 2015 Boys will study a wide and varied repertoire of subjects, giving them a solid grounding in many areas. All talents and interests are catered for as are the widely varied abilities of our pupils.
Boys are streamed according to ability in every subject. Class sizes vary according to the ability of the boys with the less able taught in smaller groups Practical subjects (Art, Music and Design Technology) are taught in smaller classes to allow for the individual attention these subjects require
All pupils study Religious Education and the core and foundation subjects of the National Curriculum More information about the National Curriculum can be found on the Government website
Key Stage Four
At KS4, pupils have the opportunity to focus on the subjects which appeal to them most while also developing their knowledge and understanding of the core curriculum essential to all. We are one of fewer than 3% of state schools to offer Classics, Greek & Latin at GCSE
extra-curricular
Cardinal Vaughan has an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities, from sports teams (including football, rugby, and netball) to a globally renowned Music Department which includes the Schola Cantorum, who have performed at world-famous venues such as the Royal Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall.
We have seen an increase in the uptake of co-curricular clubs, including in Drama, Computer Science, and our Eco Club, which is responsible for the school recycling system and promoting sustainability in the local community
We offer multiple international school trips which have included New York, Galapagos Islands, and Ecuador, and most recently a Geography trip to Iceland These trips range from sightseeing and volunteering to taking part in sporting activities
Our pupils also have the opportunity to complete their Duke of Edinburgh award during their time at school. This takes place during the school calendar so that our pupils can participate with their peers.
Sixth Formers are also encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities, including working with local businesses and charities to raise money and materials for those less fortunate (including Mary's Meals and local food banks), as well as helping to arrange and staff our annual Senior Citizens Tea Party and help volunteer at Vaughan Parent's Association events
We also now work with partner primary schools within the Trust, where Sixth Form pupils will visit and provide workshops for the pupils.
Testimonials
"It is a real joy being Head of First Form as I get to observe, first hand, the significant progress that the new Cardinal Vaughan pupils make from arriving at our School in September through to the end of their first year studying with us. In particular, it is incredibly rewarding to witness the pupils flourish socially, whether that be through representing the Vaughan at sporting fixtures, musical events or attending other extra-curricular clubs and developing friendships for life."
Mr Brett, Head of First Form
"I vividly remember the first day in year 7, everyone sitting in Assembly for mass singing ‘To Be a Pilgrim' and then being sent off to their first class. So many good laughs from that first lesson, our first rugby and football sessions to getting up at the crack of dawn to dip our toes in the ocean on our biology trip last year This school has given every student countless opportunities to develop ourselves as learners and as people with a strong connection with the school for many years to come ”
Alistair L, Head Boy (2023-24)
“I still remember my first day like it was yesterday. Although I joined not knowing a single person, I made friends with people before I had even got to the school. I think that is really a testament to the nature of Cardinal Vaughan and everyone in it I am so grateful to have been part of a community like ours that will extend beyond our time here. I am sure, like myself, some of your best memories will have been made with the people you have met during these two years ”
Keoni M, Head Girl (2023-24)
Next Steps
As a school, we pride ourselves on producing young adults who are hardworking, independent, and charismatic, and who are wellprepared for life beyond school and Sixth Form.
Things that set the Vaughan apart from other Sixth Forms include the fact that you are given a dedicated form tutor upon arrival in Year 12, with a team of staff who are willing to go above and beyond to help you succeed in your endeavours, as well as a rich programme of speakers, workshops, careers mentoring, and higher education guidance
Underpinning everything we do is the culture of academic excellence that runs throughout CVMS Our most recent results speak for themselves As aforementioned, at the heart of all we do is that we seek 'the formation of the whole person: intellect, heart, will, character and soul' - and our Sixth Form is no different
The vast majority of pupils go on to Higher Education, gaining places to a wide variety of universities both in the UK and abroad. Pupils in our Sixth Form are very well supported as they make their applications to university, apply for Higher Level Apprenticeships or other nonuniversity post 18 pathways, as are our SEND pupils, working closely with our internal additional needs team and external providers
At Cardinal Vaughan, we also offer careers advice which contributes to raising pupil achievement in helping pupils focus on their longer-term career ambitions and ensure an equality of opportunity for all.
We provide a comprehensive programme to pupils in every year group and of all abilities and this includes aspects of work-related learning, enterprise education and option choices
We are committed to ensuring our pupils have opportunities to acquire the knowledge and confidence to cope with life after school and become good citizens
Visit the vaughan
We would be delighted to welcome you to the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School for our Open Evenings. There is no need to sign up to these events.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer parking, but there is pay for parking in Westfield London, just a 15-minute walk from the school. Alternatively, you could ride the overground to Shepherd's Bush (8-minute walk), or the Central line to Holland Park station (9-minute walk) when you visit.
First Form Open Evenings which include an address from the Headmaster and a tour of the school, will be held on Thursday 12th and Tuesday 17th September 2024.
The Head Teacher speaks at 4 30pm and 6 00pm The last tour is at 6 15pm
Sixth Form Open Evenings which will also include a speech and tour, will be held at 5 00pm on Thursday 3rd and Tuesday 8th October 2024.
The Head Teacher will speak at 5.00pm. The last tour will be held at 6.00pm.
aDMISSIONS
For full details of our First Form including courses etc. use the QR code below
We would prefer online applications If you cannot apply online, download the Admission Arrangements and complete the relevant form Paper forms should be returned by post to reach the school before the closing date
Please complete your local authority’s e-admission form, available from your local authority, and our online Supplementary Information Form
We will acknowledge receipt of your online forms and request documents from you if applicable If you are Catholic, you will need to upload your baptism or reception certificate and a Certificate of Catholic Practice (CCP). You can start your online application and upload these documents later as long as you do so by 18 November.
To start your application please visit our website https://cvms applicaa com/15 You will find it easier to do this on a laptop or PC rather than a mobile phone
Amare et Servire
