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
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 15 – 9th January 2026
Adapted from Matthew 3:13-17The Baptism of the Lord, Year A Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade...
St. John’s Catholic Primary School Newsletter 14 – 19th December 2025
This Sunday’s Gospel : EMMANUEL This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they cameto live...
St. John’s Catholic Primary School Newsletter 13 – 12th December 2025
This Sunday’s Gospel : MIRACLES OF THE MESSIAH John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the...