St Louis
Catholic Academy

Christ at the Centre: Children at the Heart

St Louis is a school which is part of Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Multi Academy Trust.  Its commitment is to deliver outstanding educational, spiritual and moral outcomes for all children regardless of their faith or background within an ethos based on full inclusion, high expectations, innovation, outstanding teaching and learning, and a relentless focus on the needs and potential of every child. The Trust vision is that every school within the Trust has a reputation for excellence in their local communities and beyond.

The Trust is a Catholic-based, child-centred MAT.  We are founded on Catholic values which underpin every social, academic and pastoral relationship and the related behaviours which act as live witness to our Faith.   Inspired and supported by these values, we seek to develop the characteristics of effective learners in our children so that, whatever their future holds, they can approach this with character, confidence, resilience and a Christ-centred moral compass.

Welcome to St Louis Catholic Academy

Welcome to St Louis Catholic Academy, a warm, caring and vibrant school community where children are encouraged to flourish academically, spiritually and personally. We welcome children from Acorns Nursery through to Year 6, supporting pupils from the age of three to eleven. Many of our pupils continue their educational journey at St Benedict's Catholic School in Bury St Edmunds.

As a one-form entry school with approximately forty-five children in each year group, we are proud to provide a calm, nurturing environment where every child is known, valued and supported to achieve their full potential. We are committed to continually improving our provision and developing a curriculum that inspires curiosity, confidence and a love of learning. Most recently, we have adopted the Little Wandle approach to phonics and early reading, ensuring children develop strong foundations in literacy from the very beginning of their school journey. Our curriculum is underpinned by the Primary Knowledge Curriculum and is designed to build knowledge, develop skills and foster independent learning. We aim to challenge and inspire every child, preparing them well for the next stage of their education and for life beyond the classroom.

Our Catholic faith is at the heart of everything we do. As the parish school of Our Lady Immaculate and St Etheldreda in Newmarket, we enjoy strong links with our parish community and strive to live out our Gospel Values through our words, actions and relationships. Throughout the year, our children visit the church regularly, while Father Leo, together with Deacons James and John, are frequent and valued visitors to our school. We gather often in prayer and celebration, and actively support the wider community through acts of service and compassion. These experiences help our children grow into thoughtful, respectful and caring individuals who recognise the importance of making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Our dedicated staff work collaboratively to ensure every child thrives. We place particular importance on developing speaking and listening skills in our youngest learners, alongside providing rich opportunities to explore and engage with the world around them. Outdoor learning plays a significant role in school life, and children make full use of our extensive grounds throughout the day. It is not unusual for them to return home with muddy shoes and happy memories of their learning adventures.

We believe education is about more than academic success. Building positive relationships, developing resilience and encouraging teamwork are central to our approach. Visitors to our school often comment on the confidence, kindness and respect shown by our pupils. Through daily experiences and opportunities for leadership, we encourage children to become responsible, independent and considerate young people. Our Year 6 Chaplains play a particularly important role in leading prayer and assemblies, serving as excellent role models for younger pupils.

Parents and carers are an invaluable part of our school community. We believe children achieve their very best when home and school work together in partnership. Our active and welcoming PTA makes a significant contribution to school life, supporting events, fundraising initiatives and ongoing improvements to our environment. We value open communication and always welcome opportunities to discuss children's learning and development.

We are fortunate to offer our wonderful Acorns Nursery, providing an excellent start to education for children before they join Reception. For working families, we also provide wraparound care from Premier Education through their breakfast and after-school club, Treetops, based in the school hall (breakfast club) and nursery building (after-school club).

If you would like to learn more about St Louis Catholic Academy, we would be delighted to welcome you for a visit. Many first-time visitors are pleasantly surprised by the size of our beautiful grounds and buildings, tucked away behind Fordham Road and Rayes Lane. We invite you to come and experience our warm, faith-filled community and discover how we can help your child grow, thrive and excel.

We look forward to welcoming you to St Louis Catholic Academy.

Mrs Lucille Martin
Headteacher