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Bishop Richard blessed a new £2.3 million Sixth Form building at St Oscar Romero in Worthing on Monday afternoon in a special celebration attended by students, past and present staff and governors, the former MP for Worthing West, Peter Bottomley, and representatives from the Diocesan Education Service and the Ennismore Charitable Trust.

The purpose-built Sixth Form – which welcomed its first intake of 80 students last month - marks an important new chapter in the life of the school, providing young people in Years 12 and 13 with an aspirational and ambitious curriculum, supported by an enrichment programme aimed at developing excellent moral, spiritual and social skills.

Bishop Richard blessed every room in the new building, accompanied by Headteacher Pete Byrne, and the Head of the new Sixth Form, Rob Noye. Speaking shortly before the blessing, Bishop Richard said:

“The new Sixth Form here at Oscar Romero is the result of much hard work on the part of people across your school community, the local area, and the Diocese. We give thanks to God for this amazing facility which is going to make such a difference to those of you who study here, and to the wider community as a place of life for us all - the life given to us by God.”

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The Sixth Form was made possible with approval of West Sussex County Council, funding from St Oscar Romero School, The Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, and the Ennismore Charitable Trust. Reflecting on the school’s decision to offer post-16 education provision, Headteacher Pete Byrne said:

“The very best schools in the country have Sixth Forms. I'm grateful our governors for having the belief to make this happen, my fellow heads, and our new Sixth Formers - because as beautiful as this building is, the thing I'm most proud of proud of is our students.”

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The Diocese contributed a grant of £400,000 towards the cost of construction. Speaking shortly after the celebration, the Director of the Diocesan Education Service, Julie Oldroyd said:

“The new building at St Oscar Romero is excellent, and with this provision, local Catholic education through to 18 will greatly enrich the lives of students, their families, and staff for generations to come. We look forward to following the progress and personal development of students across the new Sixth Form community as they take the important next steps in their education post 16.”

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You can find out more about St Oscar Romero Catholic School and Sixth Form here.