Our History

The history of St Cuthbert’s is a cause for genuine pride. Academic achievements and sporting successes in abundance are on record. Our former pupils grace all the professions and make a very valuable contribution to the life of the Church in many parts of the world. However, what is even more important is the number of our Old Boys who have become priests. Tribute must be paid to the many priests, some long dead, for the sacrifice and devotion they showed in their teaching careers at St Cuthbert’s. Nor can we fail to admire the foresight and determination of Bishop Chadwick and the pioneer priests who embarked on the daunting task of providing the best in Catholic education for our young men.

On the 16th August 1881, the Right Reverend James Chadwick, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, entered the premises of 62-64 Westmorland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, and proclaimed the opening of St Cuthbert’s Grammar School. The school soon outgrew its central location, and the search began for larger more suitable premises to the west of the city. Benwell Hill House, the home of the Westmacott family, came up for sale and was bought together with the grounds which extended to 28 acres. It was in July 1922 that the pupils of the school were told to report after the summer holidays to the new school on Benwell Hill. The new school was officially opened by Cardinal Bourne in September 1922. The extensive fields surrounding the building provided ample space for soccer, although the grazing of cattle on the fields did present certain hazards to the players.

In the 1950s, the school began a period of expansion such as it had not seen for over forty years. A broadening of the curriculum saw the introduction of German as a second foreign language, and before long pupils had the opportunity to study Italian, Spanish and Russian. The site was improved with the refurbishment of one of the old buildings as a biology laboratory and a language laboratory in a classroom in the Old Hall. The staffroom was extended, and use made of yet another large room to provide further accommodation for the staff. During this time, many new appointments to the staff were made, recruiting in the main from former pupils of the school as well as from others with different educational backgrounds and with experience in other schools. An entirely new block to accommodate the Sixth Form was built.

The late ‘seventies saw one of the most dramatic changes in St Cuthbert’s history. Various proposals were made and discussed, and in the end, plans were drawn up whereby St Mary’s Technical School would become a mixed school serving pupils from the east side of the city, and the Sacred Heart and St Cuthbert’s Grammar Schools would each form single sex comprehensive schools serving the west and northern areas of the city.

In 2012, the school converted to Academy Status and on 1st December 2020, it joined the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust. The school continues to strive for a balance of tradition and innovation. The school has a proud history and an exciting future. It continues to build on the many successes of old Cuthbertians and prepare the young men in its care to take their rightful place in the Church and in the world.

The school’s motto ‘Quies In Caelo’ encourages all members of the school community to work for the greater glory of God and the common good. After all, you can ‘rest in heaven’ but for now, there is plenty of work to do.

You can read about the school's Coat of Arms here.