St Cecilia’s RC High School in Longridge is proud to announce the completion, official opening, and blessing of its new Saint Carlo Acutis Building.

A special blessing and service was held by school staff and pupils to officially open the new Saint Carlo Acutis building at St Cecilia’s RC High School, Longridge, Preston. 

Local Priest from Alston Lane Parish Canon H Doyle and the Chair of Governors, Mr M Flynn, performed the official blessing and cutting of the ribbon.

During the special ceremony there were a selection of hymns and readings, including the school prayer and singing of the school hymn, ‘St Cecilia we celebrate you’, composed by Debbie Jones, along with the blessing.

The naming of the building was also chosen by pupils at St Cecilia’s who wrote:

Carlo Acutis serves as a powerful role model for teenagers, inspiring them to put their faith into action, especially in schools. 

He was a tech-savvy young man who used his passion for computers to share his love for the Eucharist, Carlo shows that faith can be integrated into modern life.

His dedication to daily Mass, prayer, and helping others encourages teens to live out their values by promoting kindness, compassion, and service within their school communities.

Carlo's life reminds teens that holiness is attainable at any age and that small acts of faith can make a big difference in the world.

Four new classrooms were built, along with three further internal classrooms modified, to manage a huge increase in demand for school places in the Longridge area - increasing St Cecilia’s intake from 97 to 120 pupils per year group.  

St Cecilia’s is oversubscribed in every year group and is a thriving ‘outstanding’ Catholic high School. For two years in a row, we have celebrated the best GCSE results the school has ever seen. 

The building project was constructed by local contractors W.M. Monks of Longridge.

Headteacher, Mrs H Hall, said: “The new building extension will make such a huge difference to what we can offer pupils, parents and the community at our school.” 

Mrs Hall has been at the school for over 20 years, and four years as Headteacher, a role she is immensely proud of.

Saint Carlo Acutis