Welcome to St John’s Catholic Primary School
At St John’s Catholic Primary School, We are proud to serve our local community by providing education for children aged 4 to 11 years old. The Catholic ethos of our school and our commitment to Religious Education serve as the foundation for everything we do. We foster a sense of belonging and social responsibility both within the school and in relation to the parish and the wider community.
As Pope Francis said, “An education in the fullness of humanity should be the defining feature of Catholic schools.”
Our school is a welcoming place where everyone is valued. We aim to ensure that every child thrives, feels safe, has fun, and enjoys success, regardless of their individual needs and interests. We look forward to welcoming you to our school in the future.
Ethos
“Moving Forward Together”
Mission
We are moving forward together in Christ, placing children at the centre of everything we do. As a school community, we embody the Gospel values of loving God and our neighbours every day.
Values
In Christ, we are…
- Joyful in our faith
- Aspirational in our learning
- Confident in being me
- Caring in our hearts
Vision
At St John’s we strive every day to be a Catholic school where…
- We embody our values of joy, aspiration, confidence and care in all aspects of school live, from the playground to governor meetings.
- Labels are removed to ensure that nobody limits themselves or others. We celebrate diversity and differences while fostering community and a shared sense of purpose.
High academic standards are achieved through an engaging, rigorous, broad and tailored curriculum that meets the needs and potential of all our children.
- Children take responsibility for their own learning and cultivate a genuine thirst for knowledge and understanding.
- Parents are carers are actively engaged in the educational ethos and community life of the school.
- Staff members have opportunities to grow professionally, collaborating with peers in our school and other local Catholic schools as we advance towards academisation.
- We are recognised in our parish of St John’s and our town of Horsham as a school that is joyful, aspirational, confident and caring.
“We strive to achieve all this so that children leave St John’s Catholic Primary School in year 6 fully prepared for the next step of their educational journey and well on their way to becoming responsible global citizens.”
Headteacher’s Welcome
My name is Finula Farr and I am the very proud Headteacher of this school. I would like to offer you an insight into St John’s.
St John’s is a one form entry Catholic primary school, we welcome children from 4 to 11 years old. We are a warm, inclusive and dynamic school that is full of fun, opportunities and high-quality teaching and learning.
As a Catholic School, we have the Gospel at the centre of all that we do. Each person is nurtured as a child of God to strive for excellence in all that they do. We welcome children and families from all faith or no faith backgrounds. Our school values were crafted as a result of collaboration between the children, our staff, Governors, our parents and the wider parish community.
In Christ we are: Joyful in our faith, Aspirational in our learning, Confident in being me and Caring in our hearts.
We trust that the Holy Spirit will help us to work with parents, parish and the wider community to kindle a thirst for faith and knowledge in order to help our children exceed their potential. We promote Catholic Social Teaching to ensure our children know how to make a positive impact in the world they grow up in.
At St John’s we foster a love of learning and seek to encourage the highest standards in academic achievement enquiry and truth to develop a respect for all and an appreciation of personal differences. We currently have 17 different nationalities within the school and celebrate the diversity that each child and family brings.
The children at St John’s are warm, caring and loving. They are confident in who they are and the place they hold in our society. We encourage them to think for themselves, make good choices and keep themselves safe. We believe strongly in the formation of the whole person; mind, body and spirit and give our children many opportunities to understand who they are and who they could grow to be in the future.
We look forward to welcoming you to our school.
Our School
What is a Jubilee Year?
In the Catholic Church, a Jubilee or Holy Year is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation, in which people are invited to come back into right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation.
How often is a Jubilee Year?
A Jubilee Year is celebrated by the Church every 25 years. This has been the case since 1470, when Pope Paul II changed it from every 50 years.
A Pope can also proclaim an Extraordinary Jubilee, like the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy which Pope Francis inaugurated in 2015.
What is the theme of the Jubilee Year in 2025?
The theme is Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis has invited Catholics to renew our hope and discover a vision that can “restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone”. We are also invited to rediscover a spirituality of God’s creation in which we understand ourselves as “pilgrims on the earth” rather than masters of the world.
When does the Jubilee Year start and finish?
The 2025 Jubilee Year begins on Christmas Eve 2024 and concludes on 6 January 2026.
What is the Biblical background for the Jubilee Year?
The word Jubilee comes from the Hebrew word yobel, which is a ram’s horn. This wind instrument is blown to mark the start of a Jubilee Year in the Bible (Leviticus 25:9).
In the Bible the Jubilee Year occurred every 50 years and involved the cancelling of debts, a period of rest for people and the earth, and land being restored to the landless.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus makes clear his own mission is to bring Jubilee. In the synagogue at Nazareth he reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favour:
The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.” (Luke 4:18-19)
After reading, Jesus announces: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus shows us what God’s Kingdom of justice, compassion and freedom looks like. He invites us join him in making it a reality.
What is a Holy Door?
A Holy Door is one of the usually sealed entrances that lead into the major basilicas of Rome. The beginning of the Jubilee Year is marked by the opening of the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. It is only during a Jubilee Year that these doors are opened.
What do Catholics do during a Jubilee Year?
The Jubilee Year is an opportunity to respond to God’s call to turn to him and to pursue justice. In the Jubilee Year of 2000 many Christians joined together to call for cancellation of debt owed by the world’s poorest countries.
Often people will go on pilgrimage during a Jubilee year, to Rome or another holy site. Pope Francis wrote:
“Pilgrimage is of course a fundamental element of every Jubilee event. Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life.” (Spes non confundit #5)
To celebrate the Jubilee Year the school will be taking part in a range of activities to raise money for those who are in need. Each class will pick a charity and organise an event to run. We will have a display in the hall to track the progress of fundraising events and to remind the children and staff of the purpose of the Jubilee Year.
Diocesan Schools Singing Programme
Diocesan Schools Singing Programme (SSP) also known as our Liturgical choir.
Music has a central role within the Diocese, with significant numbers of children and young people actively involved in school and church choirs. The diocesan Schools Singing Programme (SSP) aims to enrich existing provision across participating diocesan schools by offering world-class, inclusive music programmes which transform students’ musical education. The Diocese launched its Schools Singing Programme in 2023, inspired by the model originally developed by the Diocese of Leeds. Through the SSP, the Diocese is able to deliver outstanding singing tuition, music education and performance opportunities to children and young people attending state primary schools in Sussex and Surrey, with expert guidance and tuition provided by two full time Choral Directors, Fraser Ellson and Billie Robson.
“I am delighted that our diocese is offering the Schools Singing Programme. The The SSP scheme provides important opportunities for evangelisation, together with formation of young people in liturgical music, assisting their journey to becoming disciples in the fullest sense.”
– Bishop Richard
Billie Robson, SSP Choral Director for Sussex
Billie’s musical education began in Norwich, where she was a chorister at both cathedrals. She then read Music at Cambridge University alongside a choral scholarship at Gonville and Caius College, followed by postgraduate studies in singing at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She has performed with many renowned professional choirs in venues and festivals including the Berliner Philharmonie, La Scala, the Salzburg Festival and the BBC Proms. She is a member of the Monteverdi Choir, having graduated from the prestigious Monteverdi Apprentice
programme. Billie has sung with many of the UK’s finest liturgical choirs and sings regularly as a cantor and choir member at Worth Abbey. She is excited to share her love of sacred music with schoolchildren across Sussex and delighted that the Schools Singing Programme will bring musical opportunities to Catholic primary schools, their pupils and their local parishes.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
What is Catholic Social Teaching?
Catholic Social Teaching is founded in Scripture and includes statements and letters written by Church leaders. It offers wisdom and insights on living the Gospel in today’s world. Jesus tells us to love God and to love our neighbours, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty.
Modern Catholic Social Teaching is said to have originated in 1891 with the encyclical letter, Rerum Novarum. Since then, a wealth of teaching continues to give new life to the Scriptures and shape the Church’s response to our modern world. Pope Francis continued to add to Catholic Social Teaching with his own encyclicals, including Laudato Si’ (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020). From these Catholic Social Teaching documents and encyclicals we derive core principles.
In school we use the CAFOD resources and identify nine principles. The principles overlap, and our actions for global and local justice will often be in response to more than one principle at a time. To help the children understand the principles we have attached them to animal characters. The characters are displayed within the school hall and are referenced in the newsletters, assemblies and more generally throughout our curriculum.
Human Dignity
KEY STATEMENT We are beautifully made in the image and likeness of God.
Each of us is made in God’s image. Every person has an innate human dignity no one can take away.
Our common humanity requires that we respect and uphold the dignity of each and every individual. Everything else flows from this dignity.
The Common Good
KEY STATEMENT We are called to work for the good of each and of all.
Our actions have an impact on everyone. When we make decisions, we should consider the good of all.
The common good is about respecting the rights and responsibilities of all people and leaving no one behind.
Participation
KEY STATEMENT We all have the right and duty to participate fully in society.
We live in community with others, growing together. We are called to be active participants in all that we do.
We have a responsibility to be inclusive so that we allow all people to participate.
KEY STATEMENT We are called to empower communities, to let everyone have a say.
Subsidiarity involves making sure that decisions are made at the most appropriate level, so all those affected can contribute and have a voice.
Everyone has important ideas and knows what is best for their families and communities. They need to have a say and the chance to influence outcomes.
KEY STATEMENT We are guardians of God’s creation, living sustainably and enhancing the wellbeing of our planet.
Stewardship is all about caring for the many gifts that God has given to us. These include our environment, our own talents and other resources.
All living things are connected so we must use God’s gifts responsibly to meet the needs of everyone, now and in the future.
KEY STATEMENT God created us as one global family called to support our brothers and sisters.
Being in solidarity is recognising others as our brothers and sisters and actively working for their good.
We are connected to people and places all over the world.
KEY STATEMENT The needs of poor and vulnerable people should be put first.
A preferential option for the poor means that we think first about the needs of those who are the most vulnerable.
Jesus taught that when we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick and visit those imprisoned, we are looking after Him.
KEY STATEMENT Everyone should have access to their fair share of resources.
God’s plan was for all people to share in the goods of this world. This means that no person should struggle to have the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter and clothing.
Distributive justice is all about fair allocation of resources (including income, goods and services).
KEY STATEMENT We can be God’s instruments of peace through seeking justice.
Peace is not just the absence of war. It is part of God’s nature, and a value we should all seek to live out in our daily lives.
Peace comes from both justice and love and is dependent upon people understanding one another.
Jubilee Year of Hope Fundraising
- Year Reception – For our link School Saint Benedict in Kenya reception organised a healthy ice lolly sale they raise £60
- Year One – For Mission Together They organised a sponsored Jumperthon And raised £800
- Year Two – For our link, School Saint Benedict in Kenya they organised a sponsored lapse event and raised £1030
- Year Three – For Mary’s meals, they organised a craft fair and raised £500
- Year Four – For Cafod, they took part in the Great Lent walk And raised £600
- Year Five – For water aid they organised a series of challenges all based on water and raise £520
- Year Six – Organised a Merchandise sale linked to their end of year production And raised £150.
Admissions
Be a part
of something
special.
St John’s Catholic Primary School is located in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton and serves the parish of St John the Evangelist in Horsham. The primary goal of a Catholic school is to educate children in accordance with the Catholic faith and the traditions of the Church. However, we pride ourselves on being a diverse and multicultural school and warmly welcome children and their families from all backgrounds, faiths, and heritages. You do not need to be Catholic to attend St John’s.
Please take time to read our admissions policy which explains how places are allocated.
If you have any questions regarding admissions please contact our school office via:
email, office@stjohnshorsham.school
or telephone on 01403 265447.
St John’s Catholic Primary School Open Mornings 2025
Do you have a child starting school in September 2026? Join us at one of our Open Mornings and discover what makes our school a joyful, nurturing, and faith-filled community.
Wednesday 8th October 9.15am
Tuesday 14th October 9.15am
Tuesday 25th October 9.30am
To register your place please contact our school office via: email, office@stjohnshorsham.school
or telephone on 01403 265447.
Ofsted 2025
Please read our latest Ofsted report, September 2023.
While visiting us, Ofsted commented on our following strengths:
- Children thrive in this friendly school. Their behaviour is exemplary
- Older children show a genuine care for younger children.
- The school provides a curriculum that inspires children to learn.
- Trips beyond the school enhance the curriculum, this helps children to connect their learning in class to the world beyond school.
- The school has high expectations for all.
- Children have a voice and are involved in the running of their school
- The school provides many opportunities for children’s wider development.
- Children behave well in class. This is because teachers are alert to the needs and interests of all children.
In-Year Admissions at St John’s Catholic Primary School
Whilst the majority of our admissions are in line with the national schools admissions calendar, we do appreciate that there are occasions when parents are required to seek new placements for their children throughout the year. We work closely with the West Sussex admissions team and as a school, we do hold waiting lists for a number of our year groups.
If you would like to discuss an in-year admission please refer to the West Sussex Website in the first instance for the process for in-year admissions and then contact our school office where we are more than happy to provide you with information, advice and support through the application process.
School News
Here’s your weekly update from St John’s. Read about our Stars of the Week, Reading Wonders, and recipients of the Proud Work awards. We also have the attendance class winners and all the latest news from the school and the Friends’ group. Each week, we include the Gospel reading for inspiration, along with helpful tips for parents on the theme of Safeguarding. Don’t forget to check out the key dates coming up in school!
St. John’s Catholic Primary School Newsletter 7 — 24th October 2025
From the Gospel of Sunday 19th October Cf. Luke 18:1-8 Jesus wanted to teach his disciples that they should always pray and never give up. So he...
St. John’s Catholic Primary School Newsletter 6 — 17th October 2025
From the Gospel of Sunday 19th October Cf. Luke 18:1-8 Jesus wanted to teach his disciples that they should always pray and never give up. So he...
St. John’s Catholic Primary School Newsletter 5 — 10th October 2025
Adopted from Luke 17:11-19 The 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and...
