Prospectus

CARDIFF

Early Years & Key Stage 1We believe that choosing your child’s first experience of nursery and school is a very big decision in their young life. First and foremost, our ethos is to provide a caring and stimulating environment in which children feel happy and secure, with lots of new and enriching experiences. In order to lead successful and happy lives both at higher levels of school and in adulthood, good social skills are vital to progress and well-being.  Our pupils are taught to care for and respect one another and in turn to develop mutual respect in their relationship with their teachers.  Estyn inspectors have observed that in relation to Wellbeing, our pupils “are mature and self-assured, support and show respect towards one another, and are polite to staff and visitors. Pupils joining the school settle quickly and feel welcome.”

The nursery offers hands-on activities where children learn through taking part in purposeful, structured and spontaneous play. We aim to provide an early years curriculum which encompasses the key areas of learning and to deliver a programme of activities appropriate to each child’s stage of development. The nursery is divided into The Creative Activities Area - used for art, water-play, sand-play and a home-corner, and The Quiet Room - used for storytelling, computer skills, circle-time and group activities. Children attend nursery from the age of 3 years and the day begins at 8.00am, registration at 8.45am and finishes at 3.25pm (nursery) and 3.40pm (infants). After a short play break, we then offer an after-school club until 6.00pm.

In the school’s most recent Estyn inspection, the quality of teaching was deemed ‘Excellent’ and was cited as “an exceptional feature of the school’s work.”

Inspectors commented that teachers “plan thoughtfully, using a wide range of activities and stimulating resources that engage and challenge pupils and promote learning effectively.” In Key Stage 1, pupils develop their reading skills very well. “By the end of Year 2, most read with accuracy and many with fluency and good expression.”  The children apply their numeracy skills securely in subjects such as science, and throughout the school pupils’ thinking and problem solving skills are highly developed (Estyn Crown Copyright, 2012).

We believe that important all round skills provide the fundamental building blocks for learning. We work very hard to ensure that children are prepared for the next stage of their education by developing their reading, writing and numeracy skills, using both traditional and modern methods.  The children’s education is enriched by access to internet-based learning aids and use of interactive whiteboards, iPads and class sets of touch-screen laptops.

A particular favourite of our infants is the Activity Club and the Super Seven Book Club (for pupils in Yr 2). The latter offers girls and boys the chance to explore characters and themes from a variety of age-appropriate books read during the course of the year. The Department also welcomes a series of special guests throughout the year who offer engaging talks and displays to the children. Extra-curricular trips complement work undertaken in the classroom. The annual Infant Tableau and Nativity Play are highlights of the school year.

Forest SchoolForest School is set amongst the copse of trees where children sit to discuss their activities, observations and findings around a log circle in our beautiful grounds. The children are very enthusiastic about their regular trips to Forest School which enable them to broaden their knowledge of natural habitats, trees, leaves, insects, bird life and woodland creatures, such as squirrels and hedgehogs.

Early Years & Infants (Age 3 - 7)

Estyn Inspection - ‘Excellent’, including the seldom awarded ‘Excellent’ for Teaching Standards

A warm family atmosphere The Junior department is a dynamic community of girls and boys based in bright and spacious classrooms. The school’s warm family atmosphere is embodied in the particularly close-knit community of its Junior department. Each pupil is regarded as a unique individual with his or her own individual requirements. All teachers know every pupil in the school and there is an open door policy for parents.

Where learning is fun The Junior department maintains a programme of improvement in the learning environment and offers a vibrant, innovative and secure atmosphere in which to grow. Pupils learn in rich and stimulating surroundings nurtured by well-qualified and highly motivated staff, enabling them to have fun while learning.

We believe in giving pupils a good grounding in the basic key skills, and oracy, literacy, numeracy and ICT are given great importance in the curriculum. All pupils are encouraged to read as much as possible and they read individually to a teacher in school two to three times a week. In Mathematics children make rapid progress and enjoy differentiated work. There is a thriving Junior Library, run by the pupils themselves, and there is also a weekly spelling test.

Beyond the classroom In addition to the exciting sports programme, there is ample opportunity for drama and public performance. The Junior drama production is performed to a very high standard with a stage and set fit for the West End. The annual Eisteddfod competition provides an enjoyable opportunity for both solo and group performance, and allows our pupils to explore

their Welsh heritage in the context of this national festival. In recent years, the school has pioneered a new Music curriculum which gives every pupil the opportunity for specialist group tuition in violin, keyboard, and recorder.

A residential study course in Year 6 enables pupils to hone their geographical and scientific skills as well as giving valuable experience of team-building skills. The boys and girls spend a week running their own companies, planning, budgeting and producing goods for sale in a trade fair. Year 5 pupils enjoy a residential activities course at Wales Millennium Centre and are instructed in an annual cycling proficiency course. Junior pupils also benefit from exciting education days at school, such as Star Lab and the chance to build a Lego city.

The children’s education is further enriched by the College’s musical tradition with its outstanding choirs, ensembles and orchestras. St John’s College is the Choir School to Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral and the boy and girl choristers’ principal role is to sing a small number of weekly services at the Wales’s National Roman Catholic Cathedral in the heart of Cardiff.  As well as performing two annual concerts at St David’s Hall and broadcasts on BBC Radio, the choir has recently joined the internationally acclaimed consort The Tallis Scholars in concert and appeared in the Hollywood film, One Chance. International tours include Paris, Bruges and Madrid. For information about joining the choirs and chorister bursaries, please email:jhoward@stjohnscollegecardiff.com.

Superb Facilities Junior pupils enjoy all the facilities of the Senior School (please see page 4). As they progress through the school, they are taught increasingly by specialist teachers who adapt their teaching styles to younger pupils. This was highlighted as an outstanding feature by Estyn inspectors. Pupils enjoy at least 2 hours of high quality PE lessons per week as well as extensive extra-curricular provision. The annual Aqua Games, Multi-Sports Tournament and Junior Sports Day are highlights of the year.

Juniors (Age 8-11)

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A vibrant & fun learning environmentOur innovative range of teaching methods makes for a stimulating and interactive learning environment. Our excellent facilities include computer suites, class sets of iPads and Chromebooks, Wi-fi, interactive whiteboards in many classrooms and access to internet-based learning aids.

Excellent teaching The teaching style throughout the school is modern and aware of current educational thinking and best practice, involving pupils in their own learning. It is also traditional in its quest for high standards, critical thought and curiosity for new learning. Modern scientific, technological and economic awareness, an outward view towards the languages of Europe, as well as to our own Welsh culture, and a strong interest in the arts and social sciences underpin our special national responsibility and contribution to the civic community, in providing the music for public worship in the Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral.

Accelerated Learning At St John's College, a daily programme of homework is set, and this forms an essential part of each subject’s study.  Pupils are introduced at an early stage to the concept of refining their work to prepare themselves for the demands of GCSE.  Most important for pupil development, however, is the sense of a secure and supportive school environment, where effort and achievement are recognised and applauded. By the age of fourteen (a year earlier than most schools), each pupil will have arrived at an individually chosen programme of study, leading to a balanced set of GCSE qualifications in as many subjects as will encourage the best quality of achievement of each individual, aiming at the very best grades.

GCSE Results 2017

A* Grades: 33.4%

A*-A Grades: 62.9%

A*-B Grades: 75%

A*-C Grades: 85%

Superb facilities St John’s College is proud of its multi-purpose sports hall comprising a netball court, four badminton / short tennis courts, a full-size basketball court with retractable goals, two junior basketball courts and a five-a-side football court; we also have an outdoor netball court. Our extensive sports grounds in nearby Began Road include full-size football, rugby, and cricket pitches with an artificial all-weather wicket as well as athletics equipment.

The new block also comprises specialist science teaching facilities, an Art & DT studio and computer suite and the College Dining Room. Pupils enjoy at least 2 hours of high quality PE lessons per week as well as extensive extra-curricular provision. The annual ski trips and sports team tours continue to be very popular, including the recent ski trip to Silvretta (Austria), and netball tours to Gibraltar, Jersey and Malaga.

Senior School (Age 12-16)

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High quality care for each individual From the moment pupils enter the school through to sixth form and admission to top universities, every pupil receives the highest quality of care in the context of our ‘exceptional ethos’ (Estyn Crown Copyright, 2006). Small class-sizes and a family atmosphere give our pupils the care and attention necessary to develop their full potential in a happy and safe environment. Through excellent discipline and warm encouragement, our girls and boys achieve far beyond their predicted grades. The Merit System helps to motivate pupils to achieve their full potential by rewarding excellence and effort, and lunchtime and after-school clubs give our pupils a rich and diverse education.

In addition to the full Parents’ Evenings in Spring, Meet The Form Teacher meetings in the Autumn Term provide an early opportunity in the academic year for parents/guardians to meet form teachers to discuss pupil progress and to identify any particular needs. The website and termly newsletter keep parents aware of forthcoming events and celebrate pupil achievements across the broad spectrum of school life.

Beyond the classroom Besides the exciting sports programme, there is ample opportunity for drama, performance and public speaking. The most recent Senior School drama production, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, received high praise for the musicality and professionalism displayed. Pupils enjoy regular public speaking coaching and have recently represented Wales at the ESU Public Speaking Final in London and have won the Rotary Youth Speaks Area Final for three consecutive years. Careers activity days in collaboration with Careers Wales enable pupils to demonstrate creativity, communication, problem solving and team work to design outfits from raw materials. The annual options evening allows students to research the subjects in which they have a keen interest.

The College offers an extensive and varied programme of external educational visits, including History trips to the Imperial War Museum and Biology field trips to the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Weekly clubs such as Young Engineers, Chess Club and the three Debating societies have had outstanding success in national and international competitions, as have our Mathematics students. The annual Middle School Eisteddfod celebrates the talents and efforts of pupils across a host of disciplines, and allows our pupils to explore their Welsh heritage in the context of this national festival. The elected School Council gives pupils the chance to influence decision-making and campaign on issues that are important to the school community.

A Cathedral Choir School St John’s College is immensely proud of its outstanding musical reputation and strongly believes in music’s ability to enrich academic learning. The College’s many instrumental ensembles include its award winning Concert Orchestra, which has been a finalist in the Welsh Proms Schools Competition. The Concert Orchestra gives three very popular evening concerts a year to packed audiences, has toured Bruges and Ghent, performs in St David’s Hall and the RWCMD, and most recently appeared on S4C.

As the choir school to Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral, St John’s College provides the boy and girl choristers (aged 8 to 18) and a variety of musicians for weekly services, two annual concerts at St David’s Hall, and concert tours across continental Europe, most recently including Bruges, Ghent and Madrid. The Cathedral Choir has performed with the world-renowned consort The Tallis Scholars, and has sung at Nôtre Dame Cathedral to an audience of over 1000. The choir regularly broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and 4 and has recently performed at St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and has appeared in a major Hollywood film. For further information about joining the choir and chorister bursaries, please email jhoward@stjohnscollegecardiff.com. www.cardiffcathedralchoir.org

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Curriculum

St John’s College is once more delighted to sustain its record over 18 years as the best performing school in Wales at A Level and we are proud to announce that in 2017 The Times ranked us as the Number 1 secondary school in the UK, with 98% of students achieving A*-B grades.Of this year’s exceptional results, Headmaster Mr Gareth Lloyd said: “We are absolutely thrilled for our students. Their achievements this year are simply outstanding, the best in the history of St John’s. These results are a testimony to both the students’ exemplary work ethic and their teachers’ resolute commitment to support each and every pupil. Many congratulations to the Class of 2017!”

A Levels are offered in a wide range of subjects at both AS and A2. Pupils normally select the four or five which best suit their aptitude and interests as their AS Level subjects, continuing three or four subjects to A2.

The Sixth Form Offers• An Outstanding Record of A Level Results& University Admissions.

• Specialist Teaching & Small Class-Sizes.

• Supervised Study Periods.

• Excellent Science, Music, Sport & ICT Facilities

- wireless broadband & interactive whiteboards in many classrooms.

• Weekly Debating Coaching & National Competitions

- recent finalists in the Oxford Union Schools’ Debating Competition.

• Young Enterprise Competition

- students develop their team work, communication, problem solvingand presentation skills with the guidance of a professional mentor.

• Established Links with Companies & Institutions

- giving sixth formers wide-ranging work-experience opportunities and advice

Sixth Form Life at St John’s CollegeAs senior members of the school community, Sixth Formers enjoy an increased individual freedom and independence, whilst learning that there is an accompanying expectation of a more developed sense of both individual and collective responsibility. In essence, students are encouraged to anticipate the enjoyment of traditional university life whilst still at school, leading to intellectual and spiritual enrichment and providing access to rewarding high-grade professional employment in the future.

Sixth Formers constitute their own independent society, enjoying a separate common room and supervised study periods in the Sixth Form Library (complete with wireless broadband and sets of Chromebooks) to enable students to use their time outside lessons efficiently. An entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged, with Sixth Formers recently establishing Fair Trade within the school and directing and training younger pupils in musical ensembles and public speaking competitions. An excellent student-teacher rapport extends to staff and Sixth Form football, table tennis, basketball, netball, hockey and sporting fixtures through the year. The addition of Sixth Form Ballroom/Latin Dancing has also proved to be popular.

Sixth Form Dress CodeThe general rule is to be smartly dressed, such as would be acceptable in a professional office: • Boys - smart jacket, standard shirt & tie, dark trousers & shoes.• Girls - smart jacket, dress / blouse / skirt, discreet jewellery.(Boys & Girls wear appropriately smart footwear; and no denim, leatherjackets, casual garments, styles, or trainers).

A Level Results 2017

The Best A Level Record in Wales over 18 Years

A*: 44%

A*/A: 83%

A*/A/B: 98%

Pass Rate: 100%

Exceptional success in gaining places at Oxford. Cambridge and Russell Group universities and all the leading schools of Medicine and Dentistry.

The Best A Level Record in Wales Over 18 Years

Sixth Form College (Age 17-18)

Ancient & Modern Languages: Latin French Spanish German Welsh

Maths & the Sciences: Pure Maths Statistics & Mechanics Further Maths Biology Chemistry Physics

Music

Philosophy Economics Art

Arts & Humanities: English History Geography Religious Studies Design Technology

Physical Education

Year A*/A/B Pass Rate

2016 96.6% 100%2015 96.8% 100%2014 94.4% 100%2013 93.1% 100%2012 93.3% 100%2011 95% 100%2010 93% 100% Year A/B Pass Rate2009 92.5% 100%2008 90.5% 100%2007 89.25% 100%2006 87.3% 100%2005 91% 99%2004 89% 99%2003 94% 100%2002 78% 100%2001 85% 100%

2017 98.1% 100%

University AdmissionsThe College has an exceptional record of gaining places at Oxford and Cambridge and numerous other first division institutions. The high standard of Science and Mathematics teaching is matched by excellence in the Arts. A notably high proportion of students gain places at the leading schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science, as well as Law, Languages, Economics and Finance, English, Music, Pure Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering amongst others.

Extra-Curricular Pursuits At St John’s College, Sixth Formers are encouraged not only to excel in their chosen subjects but to pursue all manner of extra-curricular interests. In recent years, their professionalism and commitment have underpinned the development of the school’s award-winning Concert Orchestra and the Cathedral Choir, and the Close Harmony group singing in the style of The King’s Singers. We have an enviable record of candidates gaining choral scholarships to Oxbridge Colleges, including the world-famous choirs of Magdalen College (Oxford) and King’s College (Cambridge). Many students have also gone on to perform as instrumental soloists and in top university orchestras alongside their chosen academic subjects.

Our students enjoy weekly debating and public speaking coaching and have achieved notable success in the highly respected Oxford Union and Cambridge Union schools debating competitions. Students have represented Wales at ‘Parliament Week’ in Westminster. The annual foreign language trips give our students the opportunity to receive specialist linguistic tuition and to undertake work placements, while our historians travel annually to Poland as part of the Lessons From Auschwitz Project. Young Enterprise provides an opportunity for our students to develop their business skills and offers an insight into financial careers.

while our budding engineers have excelled in the F1 in Schools Competition. Sixth Formers take part in specialist scientific and medical training, including work observation placements, workshops at the laboratories of the University Hospital of Wales and at Techniquest and RAF aviation engineering opportunities. One student recently gained international recognition for her discovery of two asteroids and was nominated for the Women of the Year Awards, while our mathematicians perform outstandingly in the UK Maths Challenge. Many former pupils, including a Cambridge Blue Boxer and an international skier, have built on their sporting achievements at school to go on to play sport at university level.

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A Selection of Recent University DestinationsMEDICINE Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College, University College

London, King’s College London, Peninsula, Southampton, Manchester, Edinburgh, Nottingham,

DENTISTRY Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol.VETERINARY MEDICINE Cambridge.PHYSICS Cambridge, Imperial College.CHEMISTRY Oxford, Bristol.BIOCHEMISTRY Oxford.NATURAL SCIENCES Cambridge.MATHEMATICS Oxford, Imperial College, Warwick.OPTOMETRY City University London, Cardiff.PHARMACY Bath, Nottingham.ZOOLOGY Bristol.PHYSIOTHERAPY Bristol West of England, Cardiff.ENGINEERING Cambridge, Imperial College, Cornell University (New York).ARCHITECTURE Cambridge, Plymouth.ECONOMICS Cambridge, LSE, Southampton, Cardiff.LAW Cambridge, Oxford, LSE, Southampton, Cardiff,

(with French), Cardiff (with Politics), Reading, THEOLOGY Bristol, OxfordHISTORY Oxford, LSE St Andrew’s, Royal Holloway, Durham.Politics, Philosophy & Economics Exeter, Oxford.ENGLISH LITERATURE Cambridge, Durham, Cardiff (with Spanish), Reading.MUSIC Cambridge, Oxford, Cardiff, Bristol.FRENCH & SPANISH Oxford.

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Estyn Inspection Report

“The quality of teaching is an exceptional feature of the school’s work. Pupils are highly engaged, well-motivated and very effective independent learners.”

“Throughout the school, there is a very strong sense of purpose, and a collective ownership and commitment to shared values and aims. The relentless emphasis on high expectations, particularly in the quality of teaching and learning has led to exceptional outcomes for pupils of all abilities.”

“The range of extra-curricular activities, particularly the outstanding musical, choral and cultural opportunities, contributes significantly to pupils’ academic development and wellbeing.”

(Estyn Inspection Report 2012 Crown Copyright).

Academic & Music Bursaries A limited number of academic bursaries and music bursaries are offered each year for those who contribute to the Concert Orchestra and the Cathedral Choirs and these are usually subject to means-testing. All awards require a strong commitment and contribution to extra-curricular sport, music and promotion of the school’s ethos.

How to Apply Please contact the Admissions Secretary by telephone or email:

Tel: 029 2077 8936 Email: admin@stjohnscollegecardiff.co.uk

Application to St John’s College is made by arranging a visit to the school to meet the Admissions Tutor. Following this, applicants submit a completed application form, and we invite each prospective pupil to join us for a normal school day (or two consecutive school days for pupils of nursery and infant age). Evaluations of the pupil’s academic potential and social awareness are made by staff in considering making an offer of a place. The final decision to allocate a place rests with the Head who is advised by the Admissions Tutor in consultation with senior colleagues. Cognitive Attainment Tests and (beyond Nursery age) assessment in English and Maths are administered as a basis for assessing that pupils can cope with the pace of work and have significant potential for future progress, and to ensure a match between the school’s teaching programme and the ability of the candidate. We are keen to ensure that both pupil and parents will embrace the ethos of the school. We expect pupils and parents to support the school ethos in matters of work, disposition, full participation in the life of the school, and adherence to codes of conduct, dress and appearance.

School Fees TransportFor information on current school fees, please see the school website www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com.

Please contact the Admissions Secretary for further details of extensive school bus provision covering Cardiff, the Vale and Newport as far as Sully, Creigiau, Penarth and Langstone respectively, and routes to support families living near Bridgend and Porthcawl.

St John’s College, William Nicholls Drive, Old St Mellons, Cardiff CF3 5YX