Assisi: A Building of Vision, Faith, and Opportunity

 

After over a year in the making, the doors of our brand new, state-of-the-art school building are finally open. Standing proudly at the heart of All Saints Catholic College, this £6 million transformation promises not only new classrooms and cutting-edge facilities, but a powerful symbol of hope, growth, and our shared identity.

 

Welcome to the Assisi Building—named in honour of St Francis of Assisi, and reflecting the compassionate, humble and visionary spirit he shared with his modern namesake, Pope Francis. This isn’t just a name chosen at random. It’s a purposeful dedication that aligns with everything All Saints stands for: community, service, peace, humility, and stewardship

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What’s Inside: Space to Flourish

 

The Assisi Building is a striking four-storey development designed with every learner—and teacher—in mind. It introduces:

 

• Six bright, modern classrooms equipped with smartboards, adaptable layouts and calming acoustics

• A state-of-the-art conference suite ideal for meetings, training, and community events

• An open, stylish undercroft that provides shaded breakout space with seating and greenery

• A stunning rooftop garden—a retreat for reflection, chaplaincy work, and peace of mind

 

From the moment you walk through the newly designed entrance, it's clear this space was built not just to teach, but to inspire.

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Why “Assisi”? A Name with Purpose

 

Naming this flagship building after St Francis of Assisi isn’t just a nod to the past. It’s a vision for the future. Known for his compassion, humility and deep respect for creation, St Francis devoted his life to service, simplicity, and helping others find peace and purpose.

 

Pope Francis, who chose his papal name in tribute to St Francis, has carried that mission into the modern world—calling for justice, inclusion, and care for the vulnerable. These values resonate strongly at All Saints, where we strive to be a school of dignity, respect, and opportunity for all.

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The Assisi Building reflects this dual legacy—a place where modern facilities meet timeless values, where innovation walks hand in hand with compassion.

 

Just as St Francis rebuilt churches stone by stone, this building is a reminder that through faith and community, we are always growing, always becoming, always building something greater than ourselves.

 

Designed for Excellence and Wellbeing

 

Beyond symbolism, the Assisi Building delivers in every practical way. Classrooms have been designed to elevate learning, with:

• Full digital integration

• Climate-controlled environments

• Acoustic finishes to reduce distractions

• Floor-to-ceiling windows that maximise light and connection to nature

 

On the ground floor, the undercroft transforms what might have been “dead space” into a lively, shaded area for relaxing, reading, chatting, or revising. It’s dotted with curved seating and planters—designed to bring calm and comfort to the school day.

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Above, the conference suite offers incredible flexibility. It can serve as a staff training hub, host parent and governor meetings, run workshops with external partners, and become a platform for student leadership events and inter-school partnerships.

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And crowning it all—the rooftop retreat. Landscaped with plants, benches, and space for prayer, reflection, or peaceful conversation, it’s a powerful embodiment of the Franciscan spirit. It’s a place for our Chaplaincy Team to grow, for students to reflect, and for the community to come together above the noise of the everyday.

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Importantly, the rooftop garden is also a model of ecological stewardship. It features pollinator-friendly plants, chosen specifically to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects—bringing nature right into the heart of our urban school environment and supporting biodiversity.

 

Impact on the School Community

 

The true value of the Assisi Building isn’t just in its features—it’s in what it will make possible.

 

For students, it means access to more subjects, more interventions, more enrichment, and more support. The six new classrooms ease pressure across the timetable, allowing for smaller teaching groups and flexible spaces.

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For staff, it means high-quality work environments, increased collaboration, and opportunities to lead and learn. Staff CPD, team planning sessions, and interdepartmental projects will now have a permanent home.

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For the wider community, it opens doors to parent engagement events, guest speakers, and outreach work. It strengthens the school’s role as a community anchor—a place not just of education, but of shared values and mission.

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At All Saints, every new brick is laid with intention. The Assisi Building is a manifestation of our mission to educate the whole person—academically, socially, and spiritually. It teaches by its presence. Its name reminds us to walk with humility. Its design encourages stillness as well as ambition. Its spaces promote community, equality and respect.

 

This is how we put our Catholic ethos into action: through the care we take in shaping the environment that shapes our children.

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As the Assisi Building opens its doors, we don’t just celebrate a construction project. We celebrate a commitment. This is a legacy for current students and a gift to future generations. It will be the backdrop for countless moments: Year 7s finding their feet; exam groups striving for success; friendships forged; staff coming together to plan lessons that change lives.

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In a world that moves fast, the Assisi Building reminds us to build slowly and meaningfully—to invest in people, not just places. It reminds us that a school is not just where you learn—it’s where you truly gain a “fullness of life”.

 

Here’s to the next chapter of All Saints Catholic College.

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