Painsley Catholic College and the Federation of Catholic Primary Schools were delighted to welcome His Grace the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham to the College on the first anniversary of the unique federation of the seven Catholic schools.

His Grace first enjoyed meeting the headteachers to talk about the progress over the first year of the federation and then toured the college, actively engaging the students in a variety of different topics which they were studying. The Archbishop was joined by local priests and deacons and staff, governors and pupils from our federation of schools for the celebration of Mass, involving the feeder schools in the bidding prayers and Year 7 students giving a communion reflection in the form of a mime.

Many of the guests were able to join the Archbishop for lunch and the representatives of other churches were particularly pleased to have time to speak with him. In this octave of prayer for unity, Painsley were happy to welcome guests who represent the wider Christian family.

A spokesperson for the College commented “Our federation helps us to have a larger vision for our mission than can be expressed in any one school or parish, and together we prepare our young people to go into the world with the highest ideals and a sense of how best to discover and express the many gifts God has given us.

Our excellent schools ask for God’s guidance and encouragement as we look to the future. We believe that we can help and inspire each other and ensure that all children receive the highest quality education.”