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We don’t all learn the same way, nor do we want to learn the same things.

The balance of education at St Joseph’s ensures each child has every opportunity and support to fi nd the right direction and successfully follow their chosen path.

We believe that education is not a rigid process, but a personal journey shaped around the needs of every child

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We expect your daughter or son to ‘be their best.’ We know that we set high standards for everyone in our community. Parents, pupils and staff work together to ensure that we produce confi dent pupils without arrogance, team players who will stand up for what is right in life and compassionate, caring members of society.

The College’s beautiful grounds provide a surprising oasis of calm above the market town of Ipswich, where our pupils can enjoy their school days and mature in a safe and supportive environment. Ours is a very special and friendly community, where academic achievement, outstanding pastoral care and broad extra-curricular provision are underpinned by a distinctive ethos established by our 17th century founder – John Baptist de la Salle – the patron saint of teachers.

Life at St Joseph’s is challenging, enjoyable and very busy. Do visit us and experience fi rst hand the strong community spirit and purposefulness, which draw particular comment from all our visitors. We look forward to meeting you and sharing with you our pride in our College and the achievements of our pupils.

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Mrs D ClarkePrincipal

We want your children to be the best they can be, wherever life takes themThe ethos of St Joseph’s breeds confidence, balanced with a strong sense of responsibility.

An important element in creating balance in learning is the school’s extraordinary diverse range of opportunities – it prepares children for the future.

Our belief in a similar balance of emotional and spiritual development gives St Joseph’s children a solid platform for life’s challenges.

The result is that the children excel at more than just exams. They become well-rounded, productive members of society.

You will notice it most when you meet them.

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The school’s ethos comes from a Christian educational tradition. It adds to the strength of the community and builds the self-belief of every child. And in the Christian spirit, we embrace students, staff and visitors from all faiths and backgrounds.

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But what is it really like here?

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Space to think

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Life can get busy with homework, hobbies and friends and family to juggle. St Joseph’s has space to take ‘time out’ with 56 acres of woodland, playing fields and gardens. But it’s still highly accessible being so close to the A12 and A14, with daily mini bus shuttles to and from Ipswich train station and school coaches from further afield.

Energetic year sevens can have an impromptu game of rounders, while exam weary teenagers compare notes in the sun between papers. And when peace is needed, our welcoming Chapel is always open for some quiet meditation.

The elegant Grade II buildings sit comfortably next to the more modern introductions of the early 21st century. Recent additions include a purpose built sixth form block, science computer atrium, arts and photographic suite and a music technology suite.

Once a home, always a home, we say.

At St Joseph’s, we do more than look after the fabric; we also preserve the spirit of a family home in a productive learning environment. Like all the best homes, it is characteristically caring, supportive and happy. (Scary is just not our thing.)

Unlike most, however, it has a very big sports centre. Other rooms are large too, which is an irony, as the class sizes are not!

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Our students achieve success in more ways than can ever be measured or graded. But does our academic performance match our pastoral care?

We expect the best exam results that each child is capable of. But no more; a hothouse we’re not. Whatever your child’s academic ability, they will achieve their full potential at St Joseph’s.

Children who are gifted and talented in one or more areas have their strengths nurtured and developed. Likewise, St Joseph’s has an excellent learning support department which identifies and supports those with learning differences. No one is held back – nor left behind.

We teach our children how to be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning.

They learn to review their own progress and share successes with others through assemblies and formal prize-giving events.

Each pupil entering the senior school has a bespoke profile. We use this to nurture their academic, sporting and creative abilities and aspirations through a broad, balanced and exciting curriculum.

Individual school,independentlearners

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It takes a secure seventeen year old to wearpink lycra

In a smaller, family-oriented school there’s no room for stereotypes. You won’t find pupils split into factions – the ‘brainiacs’, the arty types and the sporty set. There’s room here for sportsmen to be good at art and academic high flyers to excel on the stage. So when it comes to the main school production, everyone rises to the challenge and takes a part – even the toughest prop-forward.

At St Joseph’s we don’t see the arts as just an after-school activity – we see it as a very credible career path. This commitment is demonstrated by our Artsmark Gold awarded by the Arts Council England. Our annual Arts Festival has an outstanding reputation amongst the local community for being inspirational and inclusive.

If children demonstrate talent and enthusiasm for the creative arts, then starting them young is vital. Our facilities will provide them with the exposure to equipment and techniques, that will get them ahead of the game in the competitive creative job market.

Art and Design Well-equipped art studiosDigital mac-media arts suiteArt and photography competitions Arts festival week

Dance Dance studio Dance performances and workshops Annual school musical

Music Auditorium Music recitals, choir, jazz, choral and chamber music performances

Drama Drama showcases Poetry recitals Debating and public speaking

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Peer pressure isn’t a bad thing.

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If you thought the rugby team was tough…Competitive and recreational sport has always had a special place in the life of pupils at St Joseph’s. As well as providing exercise and competition, we strongly believe sport instils self-confidence, while developing teamwork and leadership skills. Many pupils have gone on to represent England and other countries in their chosen sport. Others are happy to be able to put ‘recreational jogger’ at the bottom of their CV.

The College hosts national rugby and cricket festivals, which bring together national and international sports players. Having our sports facilities on our 56 acre site means children can access the games pitches throughout break times and lunchtimes – not just during their scheduled games lessons. And there’s the added benefit of a steady flow of coffees to parents shivering on the sidelines during matches.

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Abseiling (off site) Archery Athletics Badminton Basketball Cricket Football Gliding Golf Handball Hockey Horse riding (off site) Judo Karate Netball Rounders Rowing (indoor) Rugby Sailing (at Alton Water) Squash Swimming (off site) Table tennis Tennis Volleyball (not the beach variety, sadly)

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A week in the life of the school

Every week is packed with opportunity.

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Support and encouragement are all around, not just from staff but the whole St Joseph’s family.

We give you space to develop ideas and talents.

be y

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TeenagersYou can take ours anywhereIt’s in the sixth form that intellectual exercise and self-discipline are finely honed, as we prepare our young adults for university and future careers.

But we give our sixth formers more than the opportunity to achieve top exam results; we give them responsibility for helping to set the tone and ethos of the College.

Teenagers will always be teenagers. But we’re proud that ours have the gentleness to help our infant children over the hurdles at sports day and the compassion to make food parcels for the homeless.

Young people progress at their own pace, with some seeming to linger at the ‘awkward teen’ stage longer than others. We encourage our sixth formers to find their voice by taking every opportunity to gain experience in public speaking. From reading in Chapel, to welcoming important guests, they eventually become accomplished at this important life skill.

All this exposure and responsibility leads to the ‘confidence without arrogance’ that our young people are known for.

We offer a wide variety of AS and A2 level courses and we endeavour to ‘tailor’ a selection of courses to meet the needs and wishes of each individual student. All this is supplemented by extra-curricular activities such as sports tours, charity work in under-developed countries and the popular (if high-spirited!) May Ball.

The majority of our sixth form go on to study at university. And we’re are equally proud of those who take ‘time out’ to support our Osiligi project in Kenya, where the College links with the Obaya School, to create a mutually beneficial, wholesome partnership with this wonderful Maasai co-educational school, for their and our pupils, staff and community.

Wherever they end up, we’re confident that our leavers go on to lead productive lives and enrich others.

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Art (Fine Art), Art and Design (3D Design), Biology, BTEC National Award in Sport, Business Studies, Chemistry, Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English, Food Technology, French, General Studies, Geography, History, Information and Communication Technology, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Music Technology, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Product Design, Religious Education, Sociology, Spanish.

Sixth form courses Our sixth formers have their own supervised study area, common room with coffee bar and full use of each department library as well as the central College library.

During their time in the sixth form, students will have the opportunity to stay at a university, giving them a flavour of university life.

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Aid workerActor

Surgeon

IT researcherEngineer

Fashion designer

Be what you want to be...

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Actor

Geologist

Barrister

Teacher

IT researcher

Orchestral musicianProfessional sportsperson

Racing driver

Journalist Merchant bankerScript writer

Diplomat

Company director

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www.stjos.co.ukSt Joseph’s College, Belstead Road, Ipswich, IP2 9DR

Tel: 01473 690281 Email: registrar@stjos.co.uk