Welcome to our school
St Joseph's is a co-educational Catholic Secondary school in the Diocese of Northampton and in Slough L.E.A.
We are a Catholic school and our teaching emanates from the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. However, we recognise and respect other faiths and welcome applications from pupils of other faith communities. We try to be guided by gospel values in all that we do.
We are a happy school, where the needs of our students are of paramount importance. We are committed to the development of the whole child and developing the self esteem of each child is a key factor. We are committed to quality teaching and learning. This is reflected in our examination results last summer and the very good Ofsted report of March 2006.
"St Joseph's is a good school with outstanding features. The strong emphasis on students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development means that their personal development is outstanding."
"Teaching is good across the school. Teachers know their subjects well and form very strong relationships with students, helping them to gain in confidence and achieve well."
I hope that the information provided on our website will answer most of your questions and give a flavour of life here at St Joseph's.
Please contact the school and see the school for yourself.
CURRICULUM & ORGANISATION
All pupils are expected to complete a five year course of study.
On entry, pupils are placed into pastoral/registration groups and this grouping is the basis for teaching for most subjects in Year 7. In Year 8 Maths, English, Science, French and Humanities are taught in ability groups. Technology and PE are taught in small mixed ability groups throughout the key stages.
The setting arrangement allows for movement from one set to another should this be thought necessary. A system of continuous assessment enables the progress of each pupil to be monitored closely. The organisation of teaching groups is kept under review.
KEY STAGE 3 At KS 3 all pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 follow the National Curriculum subjects
Please Note Religious Education is in accordance with the teaching of the Catholic Church and is timetabled for all pupils.
During Year 9 an Options and Parents'/Teachers' Evening is held for parents of pupils in that year. This provides an opportunity for sharing information on option choices where parents/pupils/staff can discuss the individual pupils choices.
KEY STAGE 4 In Years 10 and 11 Religious Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Personal & Social Education (including citizenship), Careers and PE form the compulsory core curriculum. French is studied by most pupils. In addition, pupils study 3 option subjects from a range of subjects
All pupils take GCSE Examinations in Year 11. The range of subjects offered enables the most able pupils to take up to 10 GCSE examinations during
Key Stage 4. Skillforce is also offered to some pupils.
Application Procedure Common Application Form All parents must apply for a school using the Common Application Form that can be obtained from the Admissions Team at Slough Borough Council If your child attends a Slough Primary School the school will issue this form. This CAF is also available online at www.slough.gov.uk/admissions
The form will give parents the opportunity to state a preference for six schools. If you are a Slough resident and wish to apply to any other school outside the Slough area, you must use the common application form you have received from Slough Borough Council. Other Education Authorities will not accept requests for application forms.
Equal Preference Model All preferences listed by parents on the Common Application Form are considered using the over-subscription criteria for each school. Where a pupil can be offered a place at more than one school on the Common Application Form, the offer will be to the highest ranked school.
Secondary Co-ordinated Admission Scheme All parents living in Slough will apply for a school through the Co-ordinated Admission Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that every parent receives an offer of only one place. All applicationa must be made on a Common Application Form. This encludes applications to Grammar schools and other LEA’s.
By law parents are allowed to indicate which school they wish their child to attend and the Local Education Authority (LEA) has a duty to meet this request if possible.
St Joseph's Catholic High School is a Voluntary Aided School and it can set and apply their own over-subscription criteria, but this will be administered within the Secondary Co-ordinated Scheme agreed by Slough Borough Council.
Applying to St Joseph's The school has its own Application Form (which is included in this brochure) and this, when completed, should be RETURNED TO ST JOSEPH'S BY 20 TH OCTOBER 2007. The yellow Priest’s Recommendation form should be given to your priest for signing, and he should then return the form to St Joseph’s by the 20 th October. The Common Application Form (CAF) must also be completed and returned to the LEA or submitted on line.
Notification of Places Your local authority will advise you of the school that your child has been allocated on 1 st March 2007. St Joseph’s will then send you a pack containing an acceptance slip and further information. You will only receive information directly from St Joseph’s if you have been offered a place. Towards the end of June/beginning of July a meeting will be held for parents of Year 6 pupils who have been offered places. Notification of this meeting will be sent at a later date. The purpose of this meeting is to finalise arrangements for the beginning of the new term, and to inform you about obtaining the school uniform.
Appeals against any decision of the Governors related to admissions should be made in writing to "The Chair of Governors" c/o St Joseph's Catholic High School, Shaggy Calf Lane, Slough, Berks. SL2 5HW.
BOYS UNIFORM |
GIRLS UNIFORM |
Blazer |
Black |
Blazer |
Black |
Badge |
Regulation |
Badge |
Regulation |
Shirt |
White Long/short sleeve |
Blouse |
White Long/short sleeve |
Tie |
Regulation |
Tie |
Regulation |
Jumper |
Black V Neck (optional) |
Jumper |
Black V neck (optional) |
Trousers |
Charcoal Grey |
Skirt |
Thompson Tartan Skirt |
Socks |
Dark Grey |
Socks/Tights |
White Socks or Black Tights |
Shoes
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Sensible Black
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Shoes
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Sensible Black ( Maximum heel height 4cm) |
Outdoor Coat |
Plain Black or Navy Coat/Anorak |
Outdoor Coat |
Plain Black or Navy Coat/Anorak |
BOYS PE KIT |
GIRLS PE KIT |
Rugby Jersey |
Navy/White reversible |
Polo-Shirt |
White |
Shorts |
Navy |
Shorts |
Navy |
Socks |
Navy Football |
Socks |
White Sports |
Boots |
Football boots |
Trainers |
White |
Polo Shirt |
White |
Optional Extra (Boys and Girls)
St Joseph’s Sweat Shirt |
Socks |
White Sports |
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Trainers |
White |
PASTORAL POLICY
The pastoral policy of St Joseph's Catholic High School reflects the values and teachings of the Catholic Church and flows from the School's Mission Statement.
The key pastoral figure is the Form Tutor. He/she is responsible for monitoring the pupils' academic progress, behaviour and attendance, and ensuring that care and guidance are provided to meet each individual's social and moral needs.
These pastoral values, developed within the tutorial system, should carry over into all areas of school life - every member of staff is a member of the pastoral team.
Each Form Tutor has responsibility for monitoring the needs and progress of all pupils in his/her care. Pupils meet with their Form Tutor at the beginning of each day, and in addition, the PSE Programme is delivered by the Form Tutor.
Every day begins with an act of worship. Each year group has weekly assemblies with the Head Teacher, Deputy Head or Head of Year, and on other days the worship takes place in the Form Room with the Form Tutor.
Form Tutors, Heads of Year and the Deputy Heads all work closely together in the support and guidance of the pupils. The Deputy Head Teachers or Heads of Year are responsible for contacting parents on matters of concern, also the Form Tutor or Attendance Secretary may make contact regarding absence.
The school counsellor is available to students 2 days per week.
Information about the School's Governing Body
- The Governing Body at St Joseph’s consists of 20 Governors.
- There are 11 Foundation Governors (of whom 5 are also parents), 2 LEA Governors, 4 Staff Governors and 3 Parent Governors.
- The Chair of Governors is the Reverend Frank Shephard, and the Vice Chair is Mrs Bridget O’Brien.
- The Full Governing Body hold meetings at least once every term.
Information about the Committees
- There are 7 separate committees, each with a chairperson, who also hold regular meetings. These are as follows:
- Admissions Committee – chaired by Canon Kevin O’Driscoll, meetings are held twice a year.
- Appeals & Complaints Committee – chaired by Mrs Anne Gurrie, meetings are held when necessary.
- Curriculum & Pastoral Committee – chaired by Mrs Anne Gurrie, meetings are held at least once a term.
- Disciplinary Committee – chaired by Mrs Bridget O’Brien, meetings are held when necessary.
- Finance & Environment Committee – chaired by Miss Pauline Lawes, meetings are held at least once a term.
- Personnel Committee – chaired by Mrs Bridget O’Brien, meetings are held at least once a term.
- Public Relations Committee – chaired by Mrs Elvi Ediker, meetings are held at least once a term.
Dates of Full Governing Body Meetings for 2007 - 2008
Monday 1 st October 2007 at 3.15pm.
Contacting the Governors:
If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors you can email the Clerk to the Governors, Mrs Felicity Gaughan on: clerkgov@st-josephs.slough.sch.uk
Alternatively you can ring the school office and leave a message for him. Tel 01753 524713
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