A SECONDARY school might consider changing its name once the cardinal it was named after is made a saint later this month.

Principal Dr James Kilmartin said he is “ruling nothing out” following the news about Cardinal John Henry Newman.

Cardinal Newman Catholic School in The Upper Drive, Hove, was named after the theologian, educator and poet by former Bishop of Arundel David Cashman.

It was one of the first comprehensives in England when it opened in 1971.

With Cardinal Newman set to be canonised at the Vatican, The Argus asked Dr Kilmartin if the school would be changing its name to St Newman.

Dr Kilmartin said: “It is certainly something that we may consider but that is a big change. We are ruling nothing out but we have no plans currently.”

When Cardinal Newman, who has links to Brighton, is canonised, he will become the first English person who has lived since the 17th century to become a saint.

To become a saint, two miracles need to be attributed to the candidate.

Pope Francis signed a decree recognising a second miracle attributed to John Henry Newman in February.

He was credited with the “inexplicable” healing of a woman with a life-threatening pregnancy.

Dr Kilmartin said: “We’re very exited, it’s a great thing for our patron to be honoured and recognised in this way.

“For me as principal of the school, he is very important in terms of ideas, key ideas, which we have in our school, the idea of being a link in the chain, having some special work that was designated for you and a sense of vocation.”

Select pupils from the school, along with the headteacher, have been asked by Bishop Richard Moth from the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton to attend the canonisation at the Vatican.

The ten pupils of different ages – five boys and five girls – will enjoy a weekend of activities.

They will then join thousands of others for the canonisation on October 13 in St Peter’s square.

Year 9 student Rocco Di Rienzo said: “I am very honoured to have been selected to go.

“It’s such a big occasion for the school and for me.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The school is to celebrate a number of anniversaries in the coming years.

The nuns of the Sacred Heart order were granted permission to set up

a convent and school in the Upper Drive. It opened in 1872.

Its 150th anniversary will be taking place in 2022.

The nuns eventually left in 1966 as Brighton was becoming too “racy” and the

building eventually became Cardinal Newman Catholic School.

That opened in 1971 and 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of Cardinal Newman Catholic School.

Dr Kilmartin said: “We are very keen to hear from anyone who attended the convent school of the Sacred Hart.

“If anyone would like to get in touch – I would be delighted to hear from them.”