SJBC_Prospectus_2016

‘It is not enough for young people to be loved
- they must know that they are loved’
Saint John Bosco

St John Bosco College
Parkham Street, Battersea, London SW11 3DQ
Telephone: (020) 8246 6000 Fax: (020) 8780 1393
email: info@sjbc.wandsworth.sch.uk
www.sjbc.wandsworth.sch.uk

Welcome
Dear prospective parents and students.
It is with great pleasure and much enthusiasm that I welcome you to Saint John Bosco College, a
school judged as ‘Good’ by both Ofsted and the Diocese of Southwark. As the only Catholic
secondary school in Wandsworth, this is a real opportunity for the community to benefit from this
place of learning and I can assure you that staff and Governors alike are committed to making our
college an outstanding, and happy school. Our brand new school building (from October 2015)
offers outstanding opportunities for young people to learn in a dynamic, exciting learning
environment which has been specifically designed to ensure their comfort and dignity.
Our school is distinctive: a Catholic community in the Salesian tradition where excellent academic
progress is matched by exceptional care. An 11-18 school, your child can benefit from our strong
Catholic ethos right up to going to university or college and high expectations will be the order of the
day. High expectations of me, of my staff and of our students.
Parents and carers are absolutely key partners in ensuring our success and I will ensure you receive
high quality information to help you support your child’s learning.
Selecting a school is a serious matter and I hope this prospectus gives some indication as to why I am
so proud to lead St John Bosco College.
Simon Uttley MA (Oxon)
Headteacher
‘outstanding leadership’
Ofsted 2013
Diocesan Inspection 2014
1

Teaching and Learning
We have high expectations of our students and believe that everyone is capable of excellence at St.
John Bosco College. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum that is designed to stretch and
support every student.
We therefore focus on teaching students the skills to be effective, and to encourage in them a love of
learning that they will keep throughout their life. All students are expected to complete regular
homework to extend and reinforce their learning. Parents are provided with regular reports that
update parents on both attitude to learning and pupil progress and at least one parent and teacher
meeting a year to maintain an on-going dialogue about their child’s achievement and care.
Similarly, we have high expectations of our staff because we believe the work that takes place in the
classroom is the cornerstone of all the work at SJBC. We want students to be taught in an interesting
and engaging way to help students to make rapid progress across the curriculum.
2

Student Support and Inclusion at St John Bosco College
Everyone at St John Bosco College is committed to making sure that every child at the school is
valued and is given the opportunity to do well. Therefore, we work hard to provide appropriate and
high quality education for all students. We pride ourselves on quality-first teaching across the
curriculum that aims to ensure that all students in every class achieve their best in lessons that
include a broad range of activities to suit a wide range of learning styles.
There are three main areas of additional student support in the school:
• St Francis - providing support for children with Special Educational Needs
• SAVIO - our base provision for children with ASD
• EAL - providing support for children whose first language is not English
We believe that everybody is equal irrespective of their ethnicity, social or cultural background,
previous experiences, diagnosis, fluency in English and ability. We work with parents and students
to ensure that every child is supported in their learning and development as a valued individual.
We understand that each child is unique and that sometimes they may need extra support, or for
their learning programme to be adapted in a certain way so that they can do their best. Our new
building in Parkham Street is fully wheelchair accessible and able to cater to a wide range of students
with physical disabilities to ensure that they can access a mainstream curriculum.
When we first meet a student we asses their needs and talk to them and their parents about what
would be the best way to support their learning.
4

Our aims are to:
• Make each student feel valuable and able to do well fulfilling the teaching of Don Bosco
who guides us that students should “be loved and should know that they are loved”
I like the way our
teachers push us to get
the best grades we can.
I also feel very
comfortable about
telling the teachers
about my worries or any
concerns that I have
because they listen and
they will do something
about it.
That makes me feel very
good about this school.
Year 11 Girl, 2015
• Help each student achieve their best
• Ignite the flame of enterprise in young people so they can make good things happen for
themselves
• Develop self-confidence and a desire to learn
• Support students in developing positive strategies that will help them both in learning and
in adult life.
• Make teaching and learning more accessible for each student based on their specific needs
• Support whole-class learning through focused building of literacy and numeracy skills
• Create opportunities for students to develop social skills and self awareness both with their
peers and adults
• Respond supportively and constructively to students at times of crises
• Support students in accessing external support where appropriate
The St Francis department also monitors and supports Children Looked After and ensures
that their needs are identified and proactively addressed in all aspects of school life.
6

The Student Support Team
The school has a well-established team of experienced staff to support students including Learning
Mentors, highly trained Teaching Assistants and a school counsellor. The inclusion department is
also supported by the Chaplaincy Team who not only provide pastoral support for students but are
also engaged in helping students with reading and writing.
If you would like any further information about the support available for your child at St John Bosco
College, please do not hesitate to contact:
General SEN, Learning support and support for Children Looked After:
Maria Bud (SENCO) mbud@sjbc.wandsworth.sch.uk
ASD Savio Base: Louise Power lpower@sjbc.wandsworth.sch.uk
English as an Additional Language: Monika Mieszkowska mmieszkowska@sjbc.wandsworth.sch.uk
I love this school because people are nice to you and want to make a
good friendship.
Year 7 Boy, 2015
8

Enterprise Education at SJBC
We believe that Enterprise education is a key component to a successful future for all our pupils.
Educating them to be able to earn their living is in line with our Salesian mission.
We provide opportunities for students to follow a wide range of work related learning pathways. We
also work in partnership with the wider community, including business and industry, to enhance
opportunities for lifelong learning in the context of business and enterprise. When children join us in
Year 7, we want them all to be involved in an enterprise activity that will last throughout the year
that will develop their individual enterprise skills.
The Salesians - World-wide Family
The Salesian World-wide Family is a caring group of people from all walks of life and all corners of
the earth who are dedicated to making life better for children and families. It is led by more than
30,000 priests, brothers and sisters who serve as Salesians of Don Bosco (S.D.B.), the second
largest order in the Roman Catholic Church.
There are nearly 4,000 Salesian educational institutions worldwide (including Primary, Secondary
and Further Education Colleges), catering for over one million students. In the UK there are six
Salesian Secondary Schools.
Under the patronage of St John Bosco, the friend of youth, all our boys and girls are welcomed into
the world-wide Salesian family, where each person strives to bring about the good of all.
10

11

The Curriculum
Our curriculum provision is designed to meet the needs of our pupils and reflect the National
Curriculum. It provides a broad, balanced and relevant spectrum of learning opportunities.
Key Stage 3: On entry to KS3 all pupils are assessed and their curriculum organised to provide
opportunities to maximize their progress and achieve their best in school. All pupils study the
following: English, Mathematics, Science, RE, Technology, PE, Geography, History, MFL (French
or Spanish), Music, Computing and Art. For those students for whom English is not their first
language there is English as An Additional Language (EAL) provision.
Key Stage 4: At the end of Year 9, pupils opt to specialise in a range of courses leading to GCSE or
equivalent qualifications. In addition to the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and RE, all
students in KS4 at St John Bosco College have the opportunity to study a combination of Modern
Foreign Language, Humanities, Arts and Technology subjects, leading to the English Baccalaureate.
Optional subjects offered at KS4 include:
Art, Business Studies, Food Technology, Geography, History, Music, PE/Sport and Product Design.
Key Stage 5: Our sixth form offers a range of academic subjects at AS and A Level. These include:
English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, RE, Philosophy, History,
Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Psychology, Product Design, Media and Spanish. Sport
and ICT are also offered at Level 3.
12

13

Sixth Form
Our Sixth Form provides a high level of support to students. Each student is assigned a “Learning
Mentor” who works with them to maximise their progress and achievement. The curriculum is
designed to meet the needs of each individual year group, with the offers being matched around
student choices. We aim to become an “outstanding” Sixth Form.
Most students are expected to apply for university and are given support with the UCAS (university
admission application) process. Our Sixth Form sets high expectations which aims to broaden
students’ horizons.
Trips and Visits
Saint John Bosco College has links with many schools internationally. As a Salesian school we have
close links with the world-wide family of Salesian schools. We have formal partnerships with schools
in Italy, Spain and Malta. Our students have had opportunities to visit Belgium, France and Italy for
various subject specific visits. Students studying Geography have a field trip visit to a coastal region.
‘There are numerous trips, visits and focus days which add extra interest
to the good Curriculum’
Ofsted 2013
14

15

Extra-Curricular Programme
Extra-curricular and other enrichment activities play an important role in the life of St John Bosco
College pupils. We offer a broad range of activities and actively encourage all our pupils to take part
in at least one activity each week.
The extra-curricular programme includes:
Sport: Rugby (partnership with Harlequins RFC),Tennis, Golf, Squash, Table Tennis, Basketball,
Netball, Girls and boys Football and Volleyball.
Clubs and Societies: Art, Dance, Photography, Music, Debating, Public-Speaking, Philosophy,
Chess and Cookery.
Technology: Young Enterprise and Web Design
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
16

‘To lead young people you must be prepared
to enter through the things that they enjoy.’
Saint John Bosco

ALBERT BRIDGE ROAD (A3031)
R I V E R T H A M E S
ROAD
LOMBARD
PLOUGH ROAD
VICARAGE CRESCENT
GRANFIELD ST
YORK ROAD
BATTERSEA CHURCH ROAD
BATTERSEA HIGH
STREET
WESTBR
PARKHAM ST
GRANT ROAD
Clapham
Junction
Station
BATTERSEA BRIDGE ROAD (A3220)
IDGE ROAD
SURREY ROAD
BATTERSEA PARK
FALCON ROAD
PARKGATE ROAD
P
PRINCE OF WALES DRIVE
ROAD (A3205)
LATCHMERE ROAD
LAVENDER HILL
Battersea
Park
St John Bosco
College is served
by bus routes:
19, 44, 49,
170, 295, 319,
344, 345
The nearest
station is
Clapham
Junction
St John Bosco College
Parkham Street, Battersea, London SW11 3DQ
Telephone: (020) 8246 6000 Fax: (020) 8780 1393
email: info@sjbc.wandsworth.sch.uk
www.sjbc.wandsworth.sch.uk
Designed and produced by the Graphic Design Unit, Wandsworth Council
Photos © John Walmsley 2015. www.educationphotos.co.uk
SCH.193 (7.15)