Home > Ambitious?
Where ambition meets opportunity
This is an exciting time to join St Jo’s because we have a strong and clear vision of what we want our school to be. And we want to attract students who can match our ambitions on the pitch, in the classroom and on the stage.
We believe that everyone can become an academic, athlete, artist, or actor. They just need the ambition, confidence and opportunity to be one. And that is where we come in…
Why St Jo’s?
Hear from our staff and students
Alex
Debating Team
St Jo’s is definitely the right place for me! With its outstanding sports and academics, it has the complete checklist for an amazing school.
I am really passionate about both Maths and Science, but also tennis. At St Jo’s I am given opportunities to progress these skills – for example doing GCSE Statistics as a one-year course in an after-school club. Furthermore, I am really inspired by Dr Rice who is the co-ordinator of my debate club and she is also my History teacher. We all get pushed to an extremely high level through many competitions and events.
Overall, I really enjoy every aspect of St Jo’s and what it offers me.
Ava
Leading Goal Scorer U11s
I am passionate about football and art. I also love spending time with friends. They make me feel so happy and safe. I feel like I can always have someone there even if they are older than me.
I get a lot of opportunities to go to football matches and clubs and on school trips. We go across to the Senior School for our Art lessons and I love this as it makes Art so interesting.
When I struggle and think to myself I cannot do it, Mrs Gillard always tells me to believe in myself; she says I can always be myself.
Maria Latua
Head of Netball
Growing up in a very small town, I had always dreamed to play netball for my country and play club overseas. I didn’t have many resources around me for example the gym or proper netball courts but that didn’t stop me from my aim and goal. I trained and played on grass courts and used whatever was around me to help me get better and stronger. I was driven to be the best and I wouldn’t settle for less. I was a believer that the reason you go into tough arenas in life is to be challenged to perform better, you cannot perform better if you’re not challenged.
Here at the college, the netball provision we provide guides the kids to not only improve their skills and techniques but also to instil a deep understanding of the game. I want to create a healthy team culture, setting the tone, defining expectations,, and providing clear criteria for what is acceptable and not acceptable.
Ademide
Debating Team
Ambition, to me, means the desire for recognition in a certain field or subject. This could mean anything from mathematics to sports, or simply wanting to be regarded as a nice person. I consider ambition to be one of the most vital qualities one can have, thus I strive for it.
The College has helped me do this in various ways, most notably by allowing me to complete my maths GCSEs a year early so that I can try for more in year 11 and later on, after hopefully receiving the grades that I want.
Several teachers have assisted me during my stay at St Jo’s. This includes my two form tutors, Ms Lowe and Mrs Hall, as well as Dr Rice and Mrs Frost. I honestly think that I have prospered throughout all of my academics, but I believe that I have excelled particularly in computer science. It is a topic that I entered almost completely blind at the start of my GCSEs, but I have received scores that are far above expectations, and I am confident in my ability to perform in the future. Another aspect in which I feel like I have succeeded is my work in the school’s official debate team as in our very first year we managed to compete in the regionals of the debating competition. We have continued to enter competitions and are hoping for more high placements in the future.
Jenson
Grade 3 Cello
St Jo’s is the right place for me because I love music and sport and I can do lots of these in school. My favourite things are playing football, our Maths lessons and singing in the Chapel.
I get lots of opportunities to sing in concerts and choirs and it has given me experience of being on stage. I also get lots of opportunities to play sport and in matches. I attend many clubs before, during and after school.
Mrs Gardiner is the teacher who inspires me because she puts lots of effort into teaching me and makes the lessons fun.
Eleanor
The Creative Arts have the power to give so many an opportunity to be their true selves, to discover unrealised talent, potential and sense of belonging. Here at St Joseph’s College this ethos is embedded throughout the arts department and throughout the school as a whole. St Jo’s gives its students a place to create, learn develop and experiment all with the utmost support from its teachers.
I study A Level Drama, English Literature and History, all which I adore. Each of my subject teachers have real life experiences within the industry and don’t stop at teaching their subject. They teach us life. This is something you don’t find anywhere else. The community feel of the College is at its core, ripe within the College every day, whether it be wishing someone well when performing in assembly, the team comradery of playing a sports match or the mutual support received before an academic test.
Jimmy
Co-Captain 1st XV
St Jo’s is the right place for me as it gives me opportunities to improve as an athlete and a student. It provides a range of sports and, on the studies side, it allows you to progress in many subjects alongside your other passions.
I attend rugby training four times a week with a match on Wednesday or Saturday. This allows me to develop in my sport.
We have a great Futures Adviser who can help you find careers in roles that will suit your skills and passions best. Mr Mason also inspires me as he teaches content in a way I learn best and find most engaging.
Chloe
U11 Football Star
St Jo’s is such a friendly school and the teachers are really kind. They help us whenever we need help and they make our lessons so interesting.
I really love football and netball. Everyone encourages you and gives you lots of feedback and advice.
I am given roles in the school plays and I play netball on Saturdays. I love to do story writing whilst at school.
Mrs Barker inspires me because she is very good at singing and acting. Mrs Banks gives great advice and helps us with netball. Mr Skuse inspires me because he helps with football and always gives us new tricks!
Stan
Under 11’s Football Star
St Joseph’s College is a small Prep School, so all children get a lot of attention. Our lessons are made interesting for us, so we enjoy the work. There are lots of opportunities for us to develop our learning in the extra clubs provided.
The sport at St Joseph’s College is great and I love to play the three main sports football, rugby and cricket. I am passionate about all sports, particularly football. I find it engrossing and love the competitive aspect.
Our teachers of football Mr Skuse and Miss Shorten inspire me. They teach my favourite sport and are very good at their job. They encourage us and teach us all the skills we need.
Beside sport, I am also passionate about music, and I love being in the St Jo’s Voices choir. My music teacher, Mrs Barker is very enthusiastic. She teaches the Prep School music clubs and directs the school production.
Ollie
Under 16 Star Player
Since the age of 11, I have always been passionate about football. Joining St Joseph’s College in year 7 has developed this passion even further due to the College’s excellent football provision and facilities. This supportive environment is enhanced by experienced coaches such as Mr Skuse, who is an ex-professional and an inspiration to not only players but all students at St Joseph’s, including myself. There is a wide range of opportunities for sports; including entering a variety of competitions, and it is continuing to push and improve the already successful girls’ football programme. I am truly excited to see how my passion and abilities will continue to develop in my time here at St Jo’s.
Freddie
First XI Star Cricketer
I believe that St Joseph’s College is the right place for me due to its diverse and inclusive community that fosters an environment of learning and personal growth, whether that is in my academics or persuing sporting interests.
The school provides a chance for athletic development though it’s amazing facilities and well-structured environment. In lessons I feel I am offered continued support by teachers and if I am unsure, I can easily seek help. Mr Bennett-King (head of cricket at St Jo’s) inspires through his unwavering enthusiasm and passion for the sport and his engaging coaching methods that help enhance your skillset.
Freddie
Rugby Under 11 Captain
I think St Joseph’s College is the right place for me because of the sports programme.
I am passionate about rugby and love being part of a team. We get so many opportunities to play sport and develop as players. I was given the opportunity to be rugby captain and I loved it. I am also very proud of being in the Boys’ Choir. We have performed at lots of concerts.
Paige Shorten
Director of Football
In recent years, women’s football has experienced a significant surge in popularity and recognition globally. This growth is not only evident on the international stage but is also making huge waves in the professional game, at grassroots level and in the educational sector. Our ambitions for the future of female football at St Joseph’s College are high, with a focus on individual and team development, participation and performance. We are ever conscious, too, that opportunities will continue down the line; life after St Jo’s is always considered. We are determined to provide an environment in which students can excel, both on and off the pitch, for talented athletes and those playing for the joy of the game alike.
To elevate the standard of female football here at the College, there is a growing emphasis on investing player time with our multidiscipline team. This includes Mr Cole Skuse, Head Football Coach, and Mr Damon Artiss, Athletic Development Coach, together with myself, as Head of Football and our PE teacher football specialists.
Jackson
Under 18 First XI
St Joseph’s College supports my ambition through kind, caring staff who selflessly devote their time to supporting us both on and off the pitch. Each teacher arrives at the campus with a smile on their face. We have a large range of dedicated sports coaches at St Jo’s (not to mention an ex professional footballer Mr Skuse) who invests large amounts of time into helping me and other aspiring players develop and become the best player we can possibly be.
Verity
Talented Artist
The Art Department at St Joseph’s college is a really wonderful and excellent place to develop my creative skills.
It’s a great learning environment and encourages everyone to work together to achieve the best they can be. It also encourages free thinking as I am especially keen on working with water colours and oils.
The Art Department also runs out of school hours art clubs allowing me to be even more creative.
Mr Bain is a real inspiration to me as he supports my aim to achieve high grades in art.
We aim to spark curiosity and promote a lifelong love of learning. Our small class sizes, coupled with our stretch and challenge programme creates an inspiring environment in which our students thrive. We provide a rich varied curriculum, we’re constantly reviewing the courses we offer to ensure they match the ambitions of our students. We’re always asking how we can extend learning, how can we take it beyond the walls of the classroom? We don’t expect our students to fit our curriculum, we want our curriculum to inspire our students. Nothing makes us happier than seeing brilliant children question and debate the topics of the day.
Do you think you have what it takes to become an academic high-flyer? There is still time to join us as an academic scholar in September 2024. We have entrance assessments taking place on Saturday 23 March and there are some academic scholarships available. If you have what it takes to match our ambition in the classroom, then please book a visit to find out more.
Our ambition is to be the premier independent school for sport and physical education in England, nurturing student athletes to pathways in elite and professional sport. We know that playing sport helps to support children’s cognitive development and we see daily how active children learn better. We are rightly proud of our sporting heritage with particular success in rugby and in female football, (the U18 girls football team are national champions!) . We have excellent facilities and professional coaching staff who have played performance sport. But we are not prepared to rest there, we want to promote excellence and gender equality in school sport, helping our students to develop skills in a myriad of ways.
Are you ambitious for your sporting future? There are still sporting scholarships available for students who wish to join St Jo’s in September 2024. We will be assessing for sport scholarships in March, and if you can match our ambition we want to hear from you. Book a visit to find out more.
Our ambition is to provide an inspirational creative environment where students are able to express themselves. We don’t box our students in, we want them to follow their passions and express their creativity in the most individual way possible. Our broad curriculum allows students to focus on the subjects in which they excel. Our creative partnerships allow children to aspire to the very highest creative standards. Our partnership with Arts International brings West End performers to the College for specialist workshops. Our Gold Artsmark Award is accreditation from the Arts Council that reflects our commitment to the highest artistic standards. Our students have access to performance opportunities in a professional theatre, they can rehearse on a beautiful Steinway grand piano or create in our light and spacious art rooms or using our suite of Macs. But our ambitions don’t end there.
If you are inspired by the arts and are committed to focus, hard work and following your vision, then we want to hear from you. There are still some scholarships available in the creative and performing arts for September 2024. We will be assessing on Thursday 21 March, and if you want to find out more, then please book a visit.
The extra-curricular provision here at the College is an integral component of our student’s experience. We provide incredible opportunities for students to explore new places, cultures and ideas and this fosters their personal and social development. Whether it is engineering soap box cars, exploring graffiti art in Brooklyn, a glacier walk in Iceland, language classes in Madrid or a student exchange programme in Buenos Aires there is no shortage of inspiration to cultivate and nurture ambition. Our students take an active role in our community, whether that as a Member of Youth Parliament or volunteering at a local care home. Our students aspire to make a real difference to society and we are ambitious to provide the stimulus for them to do just that.
There is still time to join our vibrant community – we have places available for September 2024. We have entrance assessments taking place on Saturday 23 March and if you have what it takes to match our ambition beyond the classroom, then please book a visit to find out more.
Latest News
Whole School Open Morning
Saturday 21 September
Get in touch directly :
01473 694576
[email protected]
Register
your
interest
Submit your details
"*" indicates required fields