About St John's College
St John's - A Pen Portrait
My daughter really loves St John’s. She enjoys her studies and other activities, and delights in her friendships! In her words – "This is a proper school, Dad." (New Year 6 parent.)
St John’s, Southsea is an independent day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 2-18. It has been on its present site in Southsea for almost 100 years. Currently, the school community numbers approximately 600, of whom just over 100 are boarders.
The College as a whole comprises a Day Nursery, a Junior School (known as the Lower School), a Senior (or Upper) School, and Sixth Form. These, together with the boarding accommodation, are all located on an attractive campus in the centre of Southsea, just a few hundred yards from the sea front. The facilities for teaching and learning, and for sports and other extra-curricular activities are of a very high standard. In addition, the school has 35 acres of games fields at Farlington on the city outskirts. The school is easily accessible both by public transport and service coaches.
St John’s is an all-ability, school. All children who may benefit from its curriculum are very welcome. The emphasis is placed on maximising the potential of every child, whatever that may be. Pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves, to aspire and to achieve. The excellent academic results gained at all levels speak for themselves. Where pupils require some degree of assistance with their learning, or additional challenge, specifically tailored and high quality support is available. It came as no surprise to those who know the school that St John’s should top the government’s recent ‘value-added’ league table for all-ability schools in Portsmouth.
St John’s enjoys an outstanding reputation for its caring community life. The school is big enough to offer a busy, varied and engaging educational experience in every sense, but still small enough for every member of the school to be known and valued just for who they are. Excellent pastoral care means that no known need goes unaddressed. The resident boarding community provides a real sense of cohesion and continuity within the shared life of the school, and the diversity of background and experience the boarders bring enriches the experience of everyone.
As a Christian school, in the Catholic tradition, St John’s is a place where true values are lived and learned every day and in every way. It is open to all who share or aspire towards those values - no matter what their background. At St John’s, the Christian life is about inclusion, encouragement, validation. This school has faith – not least in its pupils!