10:10 is Carmel’s Pastoral and General RE Programme. It takes inspiration from the quote from the teaching of John 10:10 ‘I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full’.

The RE programme is designed to encourage students to develop personally, spiritually, as well as academically. As part of our general RE curriculum, known as ‘Ethics and Values’, students discuss important social, moral and religious issues, with the opportunity to explore their relevance to current affairs. These lessons provide time and space for students to think and reflect, and are designed to encourage them to develop their own beliefs, opinions and ideas in a safe space.

Enrichment activities Include;

• Guest speakers from industry and universities
• Trips and visits to different places of worship
• Opportunities to develop oracy and public speaking skills
• Opportunities to contribute to social action projects

What our students say…

“I enjoy the moral debates and how each lesson allows us to reflect on our own beliefs and ideas and express them in a safe space.”

“I like being able to engage in discussion tasks about a range of different topics. I have made most of my friends in Ethics and Values lessons in college.”

As part of the Ethics and Values Programme students have been actively involved in living out our Catholic Social Teaching Principles in their local communities. Our students donated essential food items to a range of local food banks. This supported many individuals and families in need, demonstrating generosity, teamwork, and a strong sense of social responsibility. The project provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage with their local community showing solidarity to those in need.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10

The Chaplaincy at Carmel is at the heart of our college. The Spirit of the Gospel is at the centre of our way of life, relationships and community. We offer support and opportunities to develop spiritually, morally and intellectually.

• We welcome students and staff of all faiths and none.
• As a Catholic College, we are open and inclusive.
• Our Chapel is available for times of personal reflection, grief or thanksgiving
• We provide a social area for discussion and interest groups.
• The Chaplaincy is a multi-functional space, consisting of several different areas including a sacred space for our weekly Mass and quiet reflection.
• Our multi-faith prayer room is a quiet place for personal reflection with an adjoining ablutions room to prepare for prayer.

“Through the Chaplaincy, you can get involved with all sorts of activities which make a difference to the college and the world.”

Enrichment Activities include:

• CAFOD Young Leaders
• Youth SVP
• Lourdes Youth Pilgrimage
• Carmel Choir
• Catenian’s Public Speaking Competition
• Christian Union
• Volunteering / Service / Charity opportunities

Through the Chaplaincy, Carmel offers a range of opportunities for prayer and reflection.

• We celebrate the seasons and feasts of the Christian year.
• Ecumenical services are held to mark major events in college life and in our world.
• Morning prayer takes place daily at 8:30 and is open to all staff and students.
• ‘Carmel Contemplations’, our daily prayer offer, is shared in every Ethics and Values lesson and are available online for students and staff to access as they wish.
• Mass is celebrated monthly alongside other regular prayer services, and all are welcome.
• Opportunities are available for students and staff to plan, lead and contribute to prayer times as well as formation to do so.
• Weekly ‘Liturgy of the Word’ for staff and students.
• Whole staff prayers on a Tuesday as part of staff briefing
• A welcome liturgy and chaplaincy visits for new students
• An Advent Service
• Stations of the Cross during Lent
• An opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent & Advent and after Thursday morning Mass if required
• A leavers’ service
• Eucharistic adoration at various points in the year
• An Ash Wednesday Service*
• An Easter Mass
• Opportunities to pray the Rosary during October
• A book of remembrance and prayers for the deceased during November

*Subject to term times

Mount Carmel is a significant site in Israel, known as a place of breathtaking beauty whose literal title is God’s vineyard, the Garden Land.

It holds profound significance across various faiths, particularly Judaism, Christianity and Islam, though the mountain’s spiritual power and natural beauty offer a rare combination of serenity and inspiration, making it a place for reflection and renewal for all.

A such, it reminds us of the importance of diversity and richness in all we do, and our responsibility as a college to care for the earth. It also inspires us to create an atmosphere where any individual can experience a deep connection to something greater than themselves.

In the Catholic tradition, Mount Carmel is closely associated with the prophet Elijah, who is revered as a model of faith and devotion. Drawing inspiration from his life on the mountain, the Carmelite Order arose under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, dedicating itself to living out Elijah’s spirit of wholehearted devotion to God.

This contemplative religious family has enriched the Church with great saints such as Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, Thérèse of the Child Jesus, and Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, and has fostered a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel as a model of prayer, contemplation, and dedication to God. As a college community, we are inspired by Our Lady and the lives of these saints, seeking to emulate their examples of contemplation, community and service.

Established in September 1987, the College was created following the reorganisation of Catholic education in St Helens. Several existing Catholic secondary schools either merged, relocated, or closed as part of this process. While St Cuthbert’s and St Aelred’s were retained, the remaining schools closed, with new institutions established on their sites, including St Augustine’s, De La Salle, and Carmel College.

Designed to serve between 300 and 400 students, the College quickly met its target numbers and continued to grow. It soon developed a strong reputation for academic excellence and, in May 1999, was recognised by the government as one of the first four Beacon Sixth Form Colleges. This high standard has been consistently maintained through successive inspections.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel school, the site for Carmel College, was a girls school run on the principles of Notre Dame. As well as academic excellence, the education of the whole person was paramount, together with forming character for active citizenship in the world. Here at Carmel, this whole person approach is integral to all we do.

Our foundations have been made concrete in the college chapel, where the Mount Carmel windows flank the Holy Spirit window. This reminds us that it is only with the Spirit’s guidance that the Spirit of Carmel can flourish and build on its solid, spiritual foundations.