The Palmer Catholic Academy

The Palmer Catholic Academy (TPCA),^[1] previously known as Canon Palmer Catholic School, is a Roman Catholic secondary Academy school in Ilford, in London, England that was the first of its type in the area.

The Palmer Catholic Academy
Address
Aldborough Road South Ilford , London , IG3 8EU England
Information
Type	Academy
Motto	Latin: Ad Gloriam Dei Et Servitium Omnium
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Established	1961 (1961)
Department for Education URN	137088 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Headteacher	Paul Downey
Gender	Coeducational
Age	11 to 18
Houses	Palmer House, Kolbe House, Heenan House, Mother Teresa House, Bede House
Colour(s)	Navy   Red   Gold
Former pupils	Old Palmerians
Website	http://tpc.academy/

The school consists of 5 buildings, each named after a notable Catholic figure. Palmer House, named after the school's founder, Canon Patrick Palmer; Heenan House; Kolbe House, named after Maximilian Kolbe; Mother Teresa House; and Bede House. The school is a specialist science mathematics and computing college. The school became an Academy and changed its name to "The Palmer Catholic Academy".^[2]

The Palmer Catholic Academy is an independent voluntarily funded academy for boys and girls from 11 to 18. Founded as Canon Palmer Catholic School in 1961 with 300 students, it has grown greatly in numbers and stature now having over 1200 pupils as of 2019. The Palmer Catholic Academy also has a sixth form. It has had numerous headteachers over the course of its life, including Allison Moise Dixon the first female headteacher. Its current headteacher is Paul Downey.

The school predominantly promotes Catholic/Christian values but welcomes students of all faiths.

The school is a physical eudcation, Drama, and maths specialist school. It has gained regional sporting achievements. In 2006, more than 60% of its pupils gained 5+ GCSEs.^[3]

Notable pupils

• Stephen Gray (born 1988), cricketer^{[citation needed]}
• Robert Gilchrist (born 1990), basketballer^{[citation needed]}

References

1. "Educational visits policy" (PDF). The Palmer Catholic Academy. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
2. "Academy conversion and predecessor schools". Ofsted. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
3. Butler, T; Hamnett, C (2010). "'You Take What you are Given': The Limits to Parental Choice in Education in East London". Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space. 42 (10): 2431–2450. doi:10.1068/a4323.

• OFSTED Report

External links

• Palmer Catholic Academy Website

51°33′54″N 0°05′33″E / 51.5651°N 0.09254°E / 51.5651; 0.09254