St John the Baptist Catholic Comprehensive School, Woking

This school is such a positive and friendly environment to be in. Everyone here is like a family — nobody is left out. There is always someone you can reach out to in the school for support (e.g., Learning Support, Anti-bullying Committee, Councillor, SLT, Chaplain, Head of Year, Form Tutor, et cetera). Making friends at SJB is never difficult, whether you’re an external-student joining for sixth form, or a student joining Year 7 without any friends there, chances are that you’ll make friends for life here.

The amount of opportunities SJB provides for their students is outstanding. There’s a huge list of extracurricular activities ranging from their equestrian team, football club, debate club, cheerleading club, business club, and so much more! When you’re in Years 7-11, there is a massive range of trips that you get to go on whether it’s heading off to Iceland, Germany or visiting a beautiful Cathedral. When you’re in Years 12-13, you also receive leadership opportunities where you can host events & clubs, become head boy or head girl, join the sixth form committee, lead assemblies, and a whole lot more.

It’s a complete myth that SJB only cares about your grades — whilst they’re important, SJB will prioritise the student’s mental health and offer support wherever needed or requested. The teachers truly care about the art of pedagogy where you can see the passion in what they teach; they inspire students in every way possible.

There is a huge amount facilities that SJB has access to: rock-climbing, trampolines, football pitch, rugby pitch, netball court, basketball court (sports hall), dance studio, multiple drama studios, a green-screen room, chapel, many practice rooms (music), learning-resource centre, quiet study room, the hub, and a lot more.

They have a catering company called “Innovate” who provides food for both the school & sixth form (They run in the cafeteria & the Sixth Form Café) where, like the name suggests, are constantly innovating & continuously improving on how they can up their level of quality. There is a cashless system when paying for food where you put money into their “Scopay” account which can only be accessed in school VIA their finger print — when you’re in sixth form, the same applies, but you can also purchase using your debit/credit card.

With SJB being a Catholic school & sixth form, Catholicism plays a massive role within our school life. We start everyday with prayer bringing us closer to God. In years 7-11, students study religious studies in preparation for their GCSEs. In years 12-13, students attend spiritual development classes where we come together as a community for 50 minutes weekly to rest & take a break as we strengthen our relationship with God.

If you’re thinking about sending your child here, I really recommend attending one of their open days or booking in a tour of the school.