St John Fisher Catholic High School, Hookstone Drive, Harrogate HG2 8PTT: 01423 887254 | F: 01423 881056 | E: office@sjfchs.org.uk | www.sjfchs.org.uk | /SJFCHS PROSPECTUS 2018

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The new state-of-the-art 3G Sports Surface was officially opened in October 2017

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At St. John Fisher Catholic High School our mission is ‘Educating for Life.’ We offer every student opportunities for spiritual growth, academic excellence and a first class programme of development through our enrichment and extra-curricular programme.

Our students come from diverse backgrounds and a wide geographical area. The school is heavily oversubscribed given its reputation for academic excellence and its generous Christian ethos which places our school values of Compassion, Humility, Respect, Integrity, Service and Tolerance at the heart of all we do. The school never loses sight of its comprehensive student intake – every child is equally valued and we strive at all times to provide programmes which meet the aspirations and needs of each individual.

Given its consistently outstanding performance, St John Fisher, is also a National Support School as part of the Yorkshire Teaching School Alliance. As a result, our Headteacher, Mr Pritchard, leads teams supporting other schools and their students who require support across the region whilst working with our Head of School, Mrs Langstaff to maintain the very highest standards for our own community. Our support work offers opportunities for professional development and learning for our outstanding team of teachers which in turn benefits the students in our care. St John Fisher is, therefore, a flourishing vibrant community in the vanguard of educational progress and thinking.

We warmly welcome your interest in our school.

WELCOMEto St John Fisher Catholic High School

Mrs J. Langstaff

Mr R. Pritchard

St John Fisher is an 11-19 Catholic mixed comprehensive school. It is a Voluntary Aided Catholic School and, as such, is in a dual partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds and North Yorkshire County Council, as established by the 1944 Education Act.

Situated on a magnificent greenfield site, close to the centre of the beautiful spa town of Harrogate, the school has grown to its current size of 1400 students on roll. A significant part of the school site is occupied by the 1903 stone buildings of the original Catholic convent school and now part of a conservation area. The new St John Fisher Catholic High School was founded in 1958 and, thanks to the vision of its founding fathers, moved on to the convent site in the early sixties. Reorganised as a comprehensive school in 1973 the school has gone from strength to strength.

Graded “outstanding” in its most recent OFSTED Report, the school was the top non-selective comprehensive school in the 2016 GCSE league tables in Yorkshire and also achieved excellent Ebacc and Pupil Progress measures in 2017. With a national reputation for the quality of its rich sporting and musical life, the school attracts students from Catholic communities from parishes throughout the Diocese of Leeds. The Associated Sixth Form of St Aidan’s and St John Fisher celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2013. With almost 1200 students on roll, it is the largest school-based Sixth Form in the country.

There is a Christian ethos throughout the school, based on the school’s Catholic foundation and history. These values also drive our community to be outward-looking, ever mindful of our responsibilities to those less privileged than ourselves. We warmly welcome your interest in our school and invite you to visit us and see for yourself.

ABOUT ST JOHN FISHERCatholic High School

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Christmas Carol Service in St John Fisher chapel.

Our school is a community of faith centred on the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church and its significant role in the state education system.We work in a partnership with our families and parishes, and have creative links with all our feeder primary schools along with others in the maintained sector. Our programmes in RE and PHSCE are based on the teachings of the Church and we seek to promote a spiritual dimension across the entire curriculum. Our goal is “to educate for life” in order to prepare our students for their lives as adult Christians in an increasingly secular world.

Our values ensure that we have a total commitment to support all our students, particularly those who may be vulnerable or most in need.

Our community regards collective and daily worship as a high status part of our school life, in which students take a leading role. The school promotes spirituality through worship and prayer and marks all the major Christian festivals in the church calendar. There is weekly celebration of Mass. The school consistantly encourages students to demonstrate faith in action through our varied charity work and an annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. Chaplaincy is provided through the RE Department, our Catholic youth worker and Fr. David, whose job description includes a part-time responsibility for St. John Fisher School.

Religious EducationAll school policies and programmes are based on Christian, Gospel values and reflect the teachings and tradition of the Catholic Church. All students will follow a core programme of Religious Education up to GCSE level. Religious Education is a vital part of the school curriculum promoting “religious literacy” within the context of this Catholic school.

A COMMUNITY OF FAITH

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SJF Choir singing during Mass in Luchon, France in 2017.

SJF students on pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2017.

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AN OUTWARD-LOOKING COMMUNITYSt John Fisher recognises and takes seriously its responsibilities towards the wider world. From a standpoint of Christian Values, staff and students embark on a number of educational and charity activities every year. These activities draw the attention of our students to those less privileged than ourselves.

“Those to whom much is given of them much will be required.” (Luke 12 v 48)

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CAFOD annual soup and roll day.Annual Harvest Appeal for St Pio’s

Friary Homeless Shelter in Bradford.Wear Red Day for Children’s Heart

Surgery Unit in Leeds.

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KNARESBOROUGH BED RACEEvery year St John Fisher makes a significant contribution to the success of the world famous Bed Race. In 2015 the school supported the Children’s Heart Surgery unit in Leeds, in 2016 Motor Neurone disease charities and afflicted families and in 2017, Macmillan Nurses.

In 2017 a total of 30 St John Fisher staff were involved in the running and supervision of the bed race.

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CURRICULUM, 2017 – 2018

Ancient HistoryApplied Science Art Art Graphics Art Photography Biology Business Chemistry Computer Science Dance Design Technology: Product Design 3D Design Technology: Product Design Textiles Drama & Theatre

Economics English Language English Literature Food Technology French Geography Geology German Government & Politics Health and Social Care History ICT Mathematics Media Studies

Music Music Technology Physical Education Physics Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Spanish Travel & Tourism

Enrichment Core MathsExtended Project Qualification (EPQ)

The school encourages students to consider the eight ‘facilitating’ subjects for entry to Russell Group universities. We endeavour to give students aiming for Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry the extra preparation they will need for interview. As a comprehensive school we also aim to support students who wish to apply to Oxbridge. In 2017, a total of 7 students took up places at Oxford or Cambridge. At the same time we lay equal emphasis on the value of Higher Education whatever institution or whatever course our students feel drawn towards.

Key Stage 3 & 4The curriculum at St John Fisher is balanced and broadly based, preparing our students for the responsibilities and opportunities of adult life. Throughout their time with us, students follow a core programme of English, Mathematics, Religious Education, Physical Education and PHSCEE and make their options choices in Year 8, beginning Key Stage 4 in Year 9.

The majority of our students are entered for History or Geography and a Modern Foreign Language alongside English, Maths and Science. Together these subjects make up the English Baccalaureate Qualification. In addition to this the school offers a wide range of options, not least in Performing Arts.

Associated Sixth FormAs the largest school based Sixth Form in the country, the curriculum offers the widest choice of subjects in the area.

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EXAMINATION RESULTS 2017: HIGHLIGHTSAdvanced Level

• 54% of Grades were achieved at A*-B • 68 students achieved 3 or more A*/A • 10 students gained places at Oxford or Cambridge

GCSE Level

• 82% of students achieved English and Maths at grade 4 or above

• 67% of students achieved English and Maths at grade 5 or above

• 82% of students achieved 5 or more GCSE’s at grade 4 or above in English and Maths and C or above in other subjects

• 54% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate Qualification at grade 4 or above in English and Maths and C or above in Geography or History, at least two Sciences and a Modern Foreign Language

• 51% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate Qualification at grade 5 or above in English and Maths and C or above in Geography or History, at least two Sciences and a Modern Foreign Language

Sixteen students achieved straight A/A*’s and 7-9 in English and Maths

St John Fisher Catholic High School regularly features among the highest-achieving non-selective schools in the country.

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Through a varied programme of Physical Education, St John Fisher Catholic High School aims to empower all students with the knowledge, skills, values and confidence to take part in sport and physical activities.

We firmly believe that competitive sport and ‘opportunities for ALL‘ can co-exist in a busy school environment.

Our PE Department provides a wide range of sporting, recreational, health and fitness opportunities that everyone can enjoy, and our teams are successful in many sporting disciplines at local, county and national level.

At St John Fisher, we believe that PE is unique in its ability to develop the ‘whole’ child. We value the fact that PE lessons form an integral part of the core curriculum for all students and that PE is considered a serious GCSE option.

Through the PE Department, we are proud to offer extended curriculum opportunities that promote and enhance our students’ relationships, social development, health and enjoyment of school life.

The vast majority of our students take advantage of one or more of the activities, available to them during the school day, at lunchtime, after school and at weekends. We regularly engage with other schools within our local community to enhance experiences and learning opportunities.

SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

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Girls Rugby Squad 2017

Year 8 Boys Football Squad, Runners Up Area and County Football Cups

Year 7 Girls Football Squad 2017

Year 11 Boys Area Cup Final Runners Up

St John Fisher Sports Leaders at St Roberts Primary School Sports Day 2017

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Year 11 Girls Football Team. Winners of North Yorks County Cup Final at York City ground 2017.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SCHOOL YEAR

YOUNG ENTERPRISE AWARDSJF Young Enterprise team “Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover” won an award for Best Trade Stall at a local competition at ASDA Harrogate.

HOLOCAUST GUEST SPEAKERDr Martin Kappel delivered two sessions to students from Y9 and Y12. Dr Kappel is a Holocaust survivor.

U13 BOYS CROSS COUNTRYThe U13 boys took part in the National Cross Country Finals in Formby, Liverpool continued the fine tradition of having had a team in the National finals for the last 12 years.

KS3 ALADDIN PERFORMANCEThe KS3 performance of Disney’s Aladdin Jr was a huge success and the cast delivered top quality performances to a sold out audience.

SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVALIn November several students took part in the Shakespeare for Schools Festival at The Carriageworks in Leeds.

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CHILDREN IN NEED AUCTIONA total of £5,250 was raised during the many events that took place during our Children in Need week.

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BILLY ELLIOTSt John Fisher students and staff for pulled off a simply brilliant exposition of one of the most complex and diverse musicals of the century.

YEAR 8 STUDENTS AT THE FESTIVAL OF SCIENCEThe Science Department organise a series of visits to scientific exhibitions and talks throughout the year.

LITERACY WEEKSJF were delighted to welcome Simon Reade, scriptwriter and film producer who spent the day at SJF discussing his work and participating in drama workshops with our students.

HARVEST TIN TOWERMany thanks to all of the SJF community for gifts of food for the St. Pio Priory Soup Kitchen run by Franciscan friars in Bradford.

MAX MILLS MBEMax Mills and his wife Carol at Buckingham Palace on the award of his MBE for services to sport at St John Fisher School and the wider community.

MASS OF ST BERNARD, FOUNTAINS ABBEYOur students are regularly invited to sing at Mass in our local community.

SPORTING EXCELLENCESt John Fisher has built an outstanding national reputation for sporting excellence both in and out of school. The school offers a vast range of sports and in national surveys, the school ranks among the best schools in the country for the variety and quality of its sporting offer.

Given its vast experience built up over many years with students gifted in a wide range of sports, St John Fisher aims to work constructively with parents and sporting associations to help our students achieve the correct balance between the classroom and the sporting arena.

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Eden-Maia Stevenson, England U’25 Dressage Squad, elected member of

British Youth Parliament.

James Tatterton, GB Gymnastics Tumbling Squad

Rebecca Hugill, York City Academy

Tom Aldred, County HockeyCharlie Sutton, County Hockey Sixth Form Netball Squad 2017

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Ethan Hussey, National English Schools and AAA U’15 1500m champion. His current PB of 4.00,02 mins places him third in the all time record for U’15 British Athletes.

THE PERFORMING ARTS

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St John Fisher maintains that the Arts are central to the development of confident, enquiring and imaginative young people who are aware of their cultural heritage and value the world in which they live.

In 2013, we were awarded Arts Mark Gold by Trinity College because of the huge range of opportunities that we offer in a range of disciplines. The school remains a lead school in the development of the Arts since its designation as a specialist Arts College in 1999 and has benefited from enhanced funding and facilities.

MusicThe Music Department is a vital and vibrant part of school life, providing many opportunities for pupils in both curriculum lessons and extra curricular activities. Music also plays an important part in the schools’ liturgical life and supports mass and worship throughout the year.

All pupils study Music in Years 7 and 8 with lessons integrating the activities of composing, performing, listening and appraising. Music is a popular option at GCSE level and further study can include A level Music and Music Technology in our specialist computer suites and recording studio or Performing Arts.

The extra curricular opportunities in the school are extensive, offering a variety of ensembles with something for everyone. These include: 3 different choirs, 2 jazz bands, a concert band, dixie band, junior band, string, flute, saxophone, guitar, brass, percussion and ukulele ensembles.

We also offer instrumental lessons on all instruments and employ all of our own private peripatetic teachers, meaning a more streamlined, cheaper and effective system. Current teachers include session musicians, professional performers and ABRSM and Rock School examiners.

Pupils also enjoy and benefit from our annual Junior Musicians residential weekend in February where we have visited Glasgow, York and Marrick Priory in Swaledale. Senior music tours have taken us to Malta, Barcelona, Paris, Canada and Greece and New York in summer 2015. In July 2017, St John Fisher became the first school to tour Harrogate’s twin town in Bagnères de Luchon in the French Pyrenees.

DanceDance is offered throughout the key stages, contributing to both the artistic and physical education of our students. Dance clubs are on offer for all students in Year 7 – 8. Such clubs culminate in school performances as well as numerous opportunities to perform within the local community. The senior dance clubs have participated in numerous showcases within North Yorkshire. The Dance department works closely with local dance organisations and professionals in the industry. Many of our past students have gone on to study at dance conservatoires and now, as professionals, regularly return to deliver workshops for our students.

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DramaThe Drama department aims to help all students of all abilities to be creative and confident. From Year 7 through to Year 13 students are encouraged to be inquisitive, bold and original as they develop their understanding of drama. We place a great emphasis on performance and look to give all an opportunity to perform. In the past students have had the chance to perform in our whole school musicals, take part in the Schools Shakespeare Festival as well as be involved in Drama Club performances. We also organise many trips to the theatre to further and deepen their understanding and enjoyment.

In 2016 St John Fisher became the first school in the area to put on a full stage production of Billy Elliot. There is a major school production every November. The 2017 production will be Grease.

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Iceland trip

Our school offers a wide range of trips and school visits; these range from day and field trips and numerous theatre performances to residential trips that are local, national or overseas. The school believes that a residential visit with other children can be an invaluable learning experience and we provide a wide range of opportunities during their time at school.

SCHOOL TRIPS

Year 9 and 10 Performing Art trip to London

Year 10 trip to Sorrento Year 10 trip to Salamanca

Year 12 trip to Iceland Duke of Edinburgh Bronte Museum in Howarth

Year 9 and 10 Ski trip to Italy Year 10 Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Year 11-13 Camino Pilgrimage in Spain

Key Stage 3Junior Musicians ResidentialGeography ResidentialNorthumbrian Outward Bound ResidentialMulti Faith VisitHistory Trip to the SommeStadium of Light Visit to Sunderland

Key Stage 4Marrakesh Art ResidentialHistory Berlin TripGeography Sorrento TripDance and Drama to London TheatresLanguage Trip to SpainLourdes PilgrimageSki TripMusic Trip to Luchon

Sixth FormEuropean Work ExperienceCambridge and Oxford Open DaysSki TripBrussels TripWalsingham PilgrimageArt Trip to New York Salamanca

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St John Fisher Band in Birmingham Symphony Hall National Festival of Music for Youth 2017

ASSOCIATED SIXTH FORM

Unique…The Sixth Form of St Aidan’s and St John Fisher was created in 1973 as a unique venture in ecumenical education.

Its aim is to provide a Christian environment in which all students who wish to remain at school beyond the age of 16 are given the opportunity to fulfil their academic potential. This is achieved by pooling the resources, staff expertise and experience of the two schools for the benefit of all Sixth Form students.

Varied…Courses are offered at GCE Advanced, Advanced Applied and GCSE Levels.

The Sixth Form has increased dramatically in the last few years and, with approximately 1200 students on roll, it is the largest school based Sixth Form in the country. The Association can also offer opportunities for students to work on extended projects and to be involved in a range of enrichment activities, which may lead to accreditation within the EPQ framework.

Associated…The St Aidan’s and St John Fisher school sites are close together and teaching is shared between the schools.

Students meet in lessons, common rooms, assemblies and combined sporting and social activities. All students undertake a broad programme of General and Religious Studies. Both schools provide vital research facilities with a full range of books and periodicals and Internet access aimed particularly at Sixth Form courses. There are also Sixth Form Centres for private study and the brief periods of leisure time.

Representative…Staff and students at each site elect representatives from whom the Head Boy and Head Girl are chosen.

Committees have become essential to the successful leadership of both the Sixth Form and the two schools; their members gain invaluable understanding of leadership and provide a welcome input at school events.

Creative…Students manage their own facilities and organise sports, musical and dramatic events. They also participate in service to the community, in fundraising for local, national and international charities, in helping staff in the running of school activities and in assisting within lessons, particularly in relation to those students with special educational needs.

Successful and Popular…Ofsted has reported that the Sixth Form provides an outstanding all-round education with exceptionally high-quality teaching for students whose attitudes to learning are superb. The Associated Sixth Form enjoys a national reputation and is regularly visited by schools from all over the country seeking to emulate its success.

Parental feedback has included the following comment:

“Thanks for the care and dedication; he could not have had a better springboard into higher education in any other place.”

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Sixth Form Fundraising

Although St John Fisher regularly takes its place in the top 30 non-selective schools in the country on the grounds of its outstanding academic performance, the school never loses sight of its duty of care towards students of ALL abilities. It is a comprehensive school.

Fundamentally, the school strives to:

• encourage and cultivate an ethos of lifelong learning

• enable students to develop as rounded individuals

• to develop further the school’s outstanding reputation for Special Educational Needs.

“Recognition of individual qualities is key to academic and personal success.”

To give our students the best chance of success in life and to enable them to make the right choices when faced with difficult situations, we take care to guide them and instil in them Christian values that lie at the heart of our community.

Our extensive pastoral team extends to form tutors, attainment coordinators, learning mentors, a family support worker, student support worker and school welfare officer.

However, one of the key strengths of St John Fisher is that every member of staff, teaching or non-teaching, recognises the part they have to play in the care of all our young people, on a daily basis. We are proud of our ethos that every child really does matter and we value and support each and every member of our school community, particularly when they are most in need.

In this school, pastoral care and academic achievement go hand in hand. We see the value in all our students’ achievements and encourage positive attitudes in all at St John Fisher. We aim to give all our young people equal opportunities to succeed within a positive and caring environment to enable them to fulfil their individual potential.

CARE AND ACHIEVEMENT

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Presentation of Awards Evening with Chief Guest Irving Weaver, Chairman Harrogate Town AFC, September 2017.

For nearly 30 years St John Fisher has organised a European work experience programme for Year 12 French Language students in Annemasse, near Geneva. Students work in a variety of locations including cafés, primary schools, ski placements, shops and council offices.

French is fun! Year 9 in Paris 2017.

In the past five years St John Fisher has taken a leading role in the renewal of the twinning link between Harrogate and Bagnères de Luchon.

Year 12 Languages Study visit to Cologne in Germany.

ST JOHN FISHER IN EUROPE

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Each year St John Fisher has a programme of innovative and forward looking projects developed by the Modern Languages department. The school offers qualifications in French and in Spanish and German is offered in the Associated Sixth Form.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND ADMISSIONS

ReportsA full report, giving an account of progress, attainment, attitude to work and targets for improvement is issued annually. In addition, two ‘Assessment and Performance’ reports are issued during the year to provide a set of grades and to support ongoing mentoring.

HomeworkHomework is recognised as an essential part of the process of education, helping to develop good study habits, self-dicipline and responsibility for personalised learning. It is the school’s policy that homework is set for all pupils, and that tasks are appropriate to individual abilities. Homework can take various forms: written work, reading, rote learning, enquiry, research etc.

Sex and Relationships Education (SRE)The school’s programmes for sex and relationship education (SRE) and personal, health, social and citizenship education (PHSCEE) are firmly rooted in the Catholic ethos of the school and closely linked to the school’s programme for religious education. While the school follows National Curriculum and GCSE specifications, its programmes for SRE and PHSCEE are in full accordance with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, having due regard to guidance from the Diocese of Leeds. The programme emphasises the sacred nature of Christian marriage and its centrality to family life and is also linked to the school’s active promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Students are encouraged to develop positive values within a Christian, moral framework that will guide their decisions, judgments and behaviour.

Although parents retain the statutory right to withdraw their child from the school’s SRE programme, the governors expect that families who seek admission to the school are fully aware of the aim to implement the teachings and doctrines of the Catholic Church in this area.

School AdmissionsThe governors are responsible for admission to this Catholic voluntary school. They review and publish their admission’s policy on an annual basis, to ensure compliance with the relevant statutory requirements and the latest Code of Practice. The current policy and admission criteria are available directly from the school or on the school website and are included in the papers issued with this prospectus. The admission policy does give priority to baptised Catholic children, although the governors welcome applications from other families. Places are always offered in strict accordance with the published criteria. There are opportunities to visit the school on an Open Day, an Open Evening and a specified school working day in the first half of the Autumn Term prior to the closing date for the normal admission cycle. Families who are moving into the area and require places outside the normal cycle for admission should contact the school directly.

St John Fisher Catholic High School enjoys a close partnership with many Catholic Primary Schools within the Diocese of Leeds, namely:

Barkston Ash Catholic School

St Edward’s, Boston Spa

St Joseph’s, Harrogate

St Joseph’s, Tadcaster

St Joseph’s, Wetherby

St Mary’s, Knaresborough

St Robert’s, Harrogate

St Wilfrid’s, Ripon

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St John Fisher Remembrance Day Tribute, November 11th.

St John Fisher Catholic High School, Hookstone Drive, Harrogate HG2 8PTT: 01423 887254 | F: 01423 881056 | E: office@sjfchs.org.uk | www.sjfchs.org.uk | /SJFCHS