St John Rigby College (Wigan)
Encyclopedia
St John Rigby College is a sixth form
college in the Orrell
district of Wigan
, Greater Manchester
situated in a 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) estate surrounded by the Lancashire countryside. As a college for students who intend to proceed into higher education
, students are accepted from across the Wigan
and Bolton
areas of Greater Manchester
as well as parts of West Lancashire
.
The school's A Level pass rate was 98% in 2009, well above the national average, as are its vocational courses at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Students go on to attend a wide range of universities across the UK and abroad including Cambridge. The college also works to promote Fairtrade and forming partnerships with people in other countries such as Brazil
which is part of the work the college does with CAFOD
, and also forming partnerships with other colleges with Loreto College, Manchester
.
boys' grammar school, in 1972 the school became a Sixth Form College under the trusteeship
of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool
.
Roman Catholic martyr John Rigby, who was executed during the reign of Elizabeth I
. He is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
.
Dependent upon the route taken will depend on the points necessary to guarantee a place in the college, (Route A) 40 Points, (Route B) 35 Points (Route C) 25 Points, (Route D) 15 Points. These will be calculated from the best 8 GCSE's which may be any or specific GCSE's may be required to be included in the best 8 at a certain grade. (See below for points table)
A* = 8 Points
A = 7 Points
B = 6 Points
c = 5 Points
D = 4 Points
E = 3 Points
F = 2 Points
G = 1 Point
As well as completing chosen courses, students are also required to study 'Values for living' and are also required to take on 'extended studies'. This can be a course completely different to the courses students have chosen to take take (e.g., School Production, Driving Theory, First Aid).
The majority of students who are enrolled at the college are aged 16–18 and are on Level 3 programs full-time. From here they then proceed to a range of universities across the UK.
town centre on Gathurst Road, Orrell
, near the birth place of the man for whom the school was named (St John Rigby) and has one of its buildings named after his birth place, the building being named Harrock House. In February 2006 the College opened its new Learning Resource Centre (LRC) which offers a wide range of services and support to students.
have used the pitch in the past for practice).
in Manchester and always encourages its students to be involved.
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
college in the Orrell
Orrell, Greater Manchester
Orrell is an area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The area is contiguous to the town of Wigan itself and the centre of the district is situated to the west of the town centre...
district of Wigan
Metropolitan Borough of Wigan
The Metropolitan Borough of Wigan is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in North West England. It is named after its largest component town, Wigan and also includes the towns of Leigh, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Ince-in-Makerfield, and Hindley. The borough was formed in 1974 and is an...
, Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
situated in a 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) estate surrounded by the Lancashire countryside. As a college for students who intend to proceed into higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
, students are accepted from across the Wigan
Metropolitan Borough of Wigan
The Metropolitan Borough of Wigan is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in North West England. It is named after its largest component town, Wigan and also includes the towns of Leigh, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Ince-in-Makerfield, and Hindley. The borough was formed in 1974 and is an...
and Bolton
Metropolitan Borough of Bolton
The Metropolitan Borough of Bolton is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It is named after its largest settlement, Bolton, but covers a far larger area which includes Blackrod, Farnworth, Horwich, Kearsley and Westhoughton, and a suburban and rural element from the West Pennine...
areas of Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
as well as parts of West Lancashire
West Lancashire
West Lancashire is a non-metropolitan district with the status of a borough in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Ormskirk. The other town in the borough is Skelmersdale....
.
The school's A Level pass rate was 98% in 2009, well above the national average, as are its vocational courses at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Students go on to attend a wide range of universities across the UK and abroad including Cambridge. The college also works to promote Fairtrade and forming partnerships with people in other countries such as Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
which is part of the work the college does with CAFOD
CAFOD
The Catholic Agency For Overseas Development, previously known as the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development, is a United Kingdom-based international aid agency working to alleviate poverty and suffering in developing. It is funded by the Catholic community in England and Wales, the UK government...
, and also forming partnerships with other colleges with Loreto College, Manchester
Loreto College, Manchester
Loreto College is a Roman Catholic sixth form college in Hulme, Manchester, England. During Ofsted's most recent inspection in 2009, Loreto was adjudged to be "outstanding in every respect" with a perfect Grade 1 rating in all thirty-five of the inspection criteria.-Location:The school is situated...
.
History
Originally a Christian BrothersChristian Brothers
Christian Brothers may refer to:* Congregation of Christian Brothers, a Catholic lay order founded at Waterford, Ireland in 1802 by the Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice...
boys' grammar school, in 1972 the school became a Sixth Form College under the trusteeship
Trusteeship
Trusteeship may refer to*Trust law *Trusteeship *United Nations Trusteeship...
of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool
Archbishop of Liverpool
The Archbishop of Liverpool heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool in England. As such he is the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Province of Liverpool, known also on occasion as the Northern Province.-History:...
.
Saint John Rigby
St John Rigby College was named for the EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Roman Catholic martyr John Rigby, who was executed during the reign of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
. He is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
The Forty Martyrs of England and Wales are a group of men and women who were executed for treason and related offences in the Kingdom of England between 1535 and 1679...
.
Enrollment
St John Rigby follows a procedure when enrolling students into the college. Prior to the year of entry, application forms are distributed to High Schools in different areas, students who are looking to enrol at the college may attend an open evening. All students who accept a position to study at St. John Rigby College are invited to attend a New Students' Day in June.Dependent upon the route taken will depend on the points necessary to guarantee a place in the college, (Route A) 40 Points, (Route B) 35 Points (Route C) 25 Points, (Route D) 15 Points. These will be calculated from the best 8 GCSE's which may be any or specific GCSE's may be required to be included in the best 8 at a certain grade. (See below for points table)
A* = 8 Points
A = 7 Points
B = 6 Points
c = 5 Points
D = 4 Points
E = 3 Points
F = 2 Points
G = 1 Point
Acceptance
If accepted, students can choose at what level they wish to study from. This consists of 5 levels:- Entry Level - Entry Level
- Level 1 (Introductory Level) - NVQ Level 1, BTEC Introductory Award
- Level 2 (Intermediate Level) - NVQ Level 2, BTEC First Diploma, GCSE
- Level 3 (Advanced Level) - NVQ Level 3, BTEC National, AS and A Level
- Level 3 (Degrees) - NVQ Level 4, BTEC Higher National, Foundational Degrees
As well as completing chosen courses, students are also required to study 'Values for living' and are also required to take on 'extended studies'. This can be a course completely different to the courses students have chosen to take take (e.g., School Production, Driving Theory, First Aid).
The majority of students who are enrolled at the college are aged 16–18 and are on Level 3 programs full-time. From here they then proceed to a range of universities across the UK.
Campus
The College is large consisting of 6 blocks and is situated on a single campus 3.5 miles west of WiganWigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
town centre on Gathurst Road, Orrell
Orrell, Greater Manchester
Orrell is an area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The area is contiguous to the town of Wigan itself and the centre of the district is situated to the west of the town centre...
, near the birth place of the man for whom the school was named (St John Rigby) and has one of its buildings named after his birth place, the building being named Harrock House. In February 2006 the College opened its new Learning Resource Centre (LRC) which offers a wide range of services and support to students.
Sports facilities
The College boasts the largest all weather football pitch in the country and has extensive playing fields surrounding the campus. The Sports Hall has facilities for a wide range of sports, a fitness suite, as well as being used by students, the pitch is also used by others outside the college (e.g. Wigan Athletic F.C.Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
have used the pitch in the past for practice).
College Chapel
As a Roman Catholic school, students can visit the newly built College Chapel, which is available at any time of the day as a place of prayer, reflection or quietness. The college Chaplaincy team currently runs a Fairtrade store which is open to all students and staffSJR Community Team
The college is currently building up a community team involving a large number of students getting involved with open days, college events such as Rigfest (a night when student bands play their music) and getting involved with tea and coffee mornings and working with the chaplaincy team with other events.The Learning Resource Centre (LRC)
The college Learning Resource Centre offers a wide range of service and support to students such as over 11,000 books in stock, DVD's and online resources.Open Learning Centre (OLC)
In the Open Learning Centre, Students have access to over 96 network connected computers to aide them in their learning, with Computer Technicians available to help with any problems any time of the day.Student Council
The college considers the student council to be a very important asset as it gives students the opportunity to have their say in which they think the quality of college life can be improved and also into any future plans the college intends to make. The student Council is a governing body who are representatives of the students and on their behalf put forward any suggestions of improvement that any students think should be considered as well as organising college events. The college is currently focusing on building up a council team in partnership with Loreto CollegeLoreto College, Manchester
Loreto College is a Roman Catholic sixth form college in Hulme, Manchester, England. During Ofsted's most recent inspection in 2009, Loreto was adjudged to be "outstanding in every respect" with a perfect Grade 1 rating in all thirty-five of the inspection criteria.-Location:The school is situated...
in Manchester and always encourages its students to be involved.
Notable alumni
- Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of WestminsterArchbishop of WestminsterThe Archbishop of Westminster heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster, in England. The incumbent is the Metropolitan of the Province of Westminster and, as a matter of custom, is elected President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and therefore de facto spokesman...
(was a chaplain at the school) - Iain CoyleIain CoyleIain Coyle is a British TV presenter and producer and comedian. He was educated at St Bede's RC Comprehensive, Ormskirk, St John Rigby College, Orrell and Sheffield Polytechnic where he studied Fine Art....
, TV presenter, TV producer and stand-up comedianComedianA comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy... - Jon CulshawJon CulshawJonathan Peter Culshaw is an English impressionist and comedian. He was educated at St Bede's RC High School, Ormskirk and St John Rigby College, in Orrell, Wigan....
, impressionistImpressionist (entertainment)An impressionist or a mimic is a performer whose act consists of imitating the voice and mannerisms of others. The word usually refers to a professional comedian/entertainer who specializes in such performances and has developed a wide repertoire of impressions, including adding to them, often to...
and comedianComedianA comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy... - Shaun EdwardsShaun EdwardsShaun Edwards OBE is an English rugby union coach and former rugby league player. He is defence coach of Wales, a post he has held since 2008. In November 2011 he left London Wasps after 10 years with the club, latterly as head coach....
, Rugby League International/Welsh Union coach - Mark EdwardsonMark EdwardsonMark Edwardson is a TV news presenter for BBC North West Tonight, mainly presenting weekend bulletins. He is also a seasoned radio presenter having hosted the breakfast shows at BBC Radio Stoke and BBC GMR. He has since appeared in BBC One show DIY SOS and an episode of CBBC's Prank Patrol...
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political correspondent