In our small classes each child receives the right amount of support and challenge to realise their full academic potential. Pupils are given the necessary skills to become independent learners and encouraged to continually expand their learning.
During every school day, pupils receive engaging academic teaching and endless learning opportunities. The school curriculum is varied and lively. Alongside English, Maths, Science, Computing, French, Geography and History, pupils follow a rich Personal Social and Health Education programme, which encourages them to form their own opinions, while listening to other points of view.
Pupils’ horizons are also broadened through Religious Education, Music, Art, Drama and Sport.
We often have special guests visit to give inspirational talks and run interactive workshops. Themed days, charity days and enrichment days are packed with practical classes, fun activities and opportunities to try something new.
Pupils take part in local and national competitions such as the Sudbury Music Festival, the Kwik Cricket competition and the Inter-Schools Athletics and Cross Country Competitions.
Learning outside the classroom is an essential component of our curriculum for all our pupils, including the very youngest. It gives our pupils unique opportunities to develop their resourcefulness and initiative and to spend time together in an informed environment. Each trip is different and provides opportunities which cannot be provided on site. Some are directly related to the curriculum; others are designed to promote social awareness, or to enhance physical skills, self- reliance and team working.
We are known locally for our award winning choirs. Led by our outstanding vocal coach and choir mistress, our choirs sing at local and national events and enter prestigious competitions. We regularly invite members of our local community in to school to hear them sing.
We are an environmentally aware school and do our best to raise awareness of the environment and develop opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle. We are a Terracycle Centre for the local community and have banned single use plastic bottles in school. Our Green Team work hard to support new initiates such as the Eco Brick challenge and the Great Global Nurdle Hunt.
Pupils are invited to apply to become prefects when they reach Form VI. Following a formal recruitment process, prefects are appointed ambassadors for St Philomena’s. They act as role models to our younger pupils and undertake duties such as being responsible for a class, assisting in the Library, acting as a tour guide to prospective parents, and helping the PTA with events. Elections are held for the positions House and Sport Captains for the school’s three houses, Campion, Clover and Fisher.
Our Head Boy and Head Girl are elected by their peers following hustings in June.
Enrichment days such as Science Day, World Environment Day and Remembrance Commemoration Day complement classroom studies.
A wide range of clubs and activities are on offer to our pupils to enable them to explore and develop their talents. These include drama, musical theatre, art and numerous sporting activities throughout the year.
The School Council is made up of eight pupils; two from Forms III to VI. They take the lead in charity fundraising at St Philomena’s.
All pupils have at least two timetabled PE lessons every week. They have the opportunity to take an active part in sporting events such as sports fixtures including golf, rugby, football, cricket, hockey and netball.
