We provide a variety of quality learning experiences which will develop the students' full potential, which are enjoyable and which also benefit the staff, parents and others connected with the College.
We are aware of the wide variety of experiences they bring with them, and what we provide builds on this foundation and is directed towards their needs.

The College is a community in which each individual is considered by all to be of equal worth and value, and accordingly is treated by all with respect and dignity.

The students, parents, staff, governors and trustees of the College play a full and active part in promoting our mission.

St Joseph's College (Mathematics & Computing Specialist College) is a Voluntary Aided Roman Catholic Comprehensive School for students aged eleven to eighteen years. Boys are admitted up to the age of sixteen and both boys and girls to the Sixth Form. The Trustees are the De La Salle Brothers. The College was founded in 1855, and has been on its present site in Beulah Hill since 1904. It was an independent school until 1973 when it became Voluntary Aided as it is today. From September 1993 to August 1999 the College enjoyed Grant Maintained status.

The School has just completed an Ofsted Inspection, January 2005, who confirmed that St Joseph’s College is a good school. The overall evaluation reads: ‘St Joseph’s College is a good School, very well lead by the head teacher. Leadership overall is good. Achievement is good in the main college and sixth form because of teaching, learning and student’s attitudes are good. Management is satisfactory in the main college and good in the sixth form. Value for money is good.

The main strengths are:

• Results in individual subjects generally match or exceed those nationally because students achieve well.
• Results and achievements in art and photography are well above average.
• Students learn well in response to knowledgeable teaching which is good or better in most subjects.
• Vocational courses are provided in ICT.
• Enrichment opportunities are limited in range
• The climate for learning and students attitudes are good: they trust their teachers.
  

Overall Evaluation:

The college’s main strengths are:

• Results overall are above average and improving faster than nationally in Year 9 and at GCSE level and in the Sixth Form.
• Specialist college developments have built on strengths in Mathematics and improved considerably provision and achievement in computing.
• Results and achievement in Mathematics are well above average and in Art are very high.
• The ethos of learning is good and relationships very good: students like the college.
• Personal guidance is very good.

The College has made good improvement since the previous inspection. Results have improved faster than nationally. Teaching and learning are better. Development as a specialist college is enhancing mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT), as well as overall standards. Provision in music is better.

School’s Pastoral Structure

In Years 7 to 11 students are organised in Year Groups by age. In each year there are six forms. Each form has a Tutor and the Year Team is managed by a Head of Year (HOY).

In Years 7 and 8, The Lower School, the tutor teams remain static. These year groups are managed by the Head of Lower School. This system gives the younger students a secure foundation in their early years at the College.

The Tutorial Teams move up with the students from Year 9 to Year 11.

In Years 12 and 13 the Head of Sixth Form manages both year groups with a team of 6th Form Tutors.

"The students are not just names on a register, but growing people, each to be known and treated according to his qualities, his personality and his achievements."

"Take more care of the young people entrusted to you than if they were the children of a king."
(From the writings of St John Baptist De La Salle)

As a Catholic school in the tradition of the De La Salle Brothers, St Joseph's places great emphasis on valuing, respecting and caring for the individual student.

The Form Tutors are the basis of pastoral care. They are the people to whom students should first turn, and whom other teachers should first consult when difficulties arise. The Form Tutor plays a crucial role in helping the individual student to adjust to others and to gain the greatest benefit from their life at school. The Form Tutor aims to know each student as well as possible and to assist all in coping with their work and in coming.

This is designed to enable our students to understand themselves and their world and to develop the attitudes and skills they need for their lives, both in their time at school and in the years beyond. The programme is tailored to the ages of the students and ensures continuity and progression. Topics covered include personal organisation, self and others, Health Education, Sex Education, Citizenship and the stake that students have in the College itself. Elements of Careers and Guidance are also part of Tutorial work.

The Programme is delivered by tutorial teams (HOYs and Form Tutors) as these are the people who know the students best. Visitors from various groups in the local community complement the work of tutors.

Extensive Facilities

Our own College Chapel and School Choir A full suite of Science Laboratories A Well stocked and stimulating Library A growing number of Computer rooms Specialist Art Rooms Well equipped Technology Area A Sixth Form centre with common room A large sports Hall and indoor swimming pool Tennis courts Sports ground for football, rugby and cricket Extensive Music Facilities

Departments

GCSE

AS and A Level

School Day:

8.15am Registration / School assembly

8.25am First period

6 periods of 50 minutes in length.

2.50pm School finishes.