IV SJS Review Spring 2026

CEO FOREWORD

The Spring Term may be the shortest of the year – and an early Easter means that all our pupils came back from the Christmas break a mere eleven weeks ago –but that has not prevented our schools from packing in a range of activities that could quite reasonably be expected to have taken place over an entire academic year In this review, you will read about pilgrimage walks, of trips to the most northerly Gothic cathedral in the world (in Norway), about talks from leading experts on chimpanzees, of spelling bees in Spanish and – wonderfully – you will learn too that one of our schools has been named Middlesex Tennis School of the Year 2026

It may be a cliché that education is about so much more than what happens in the classroom – but the Southworth schools reinforce that principle as they seek to live out the Trust’s mission to work for the formation and achievement of all their pupils: everything that we do aims to make our pupils rounded, happy human beings who do their best for themselves and others And this term, as you will see, we have taken another long and purposeful step towards achieving that aim

I hope that as you read of our pupils’ achievements, you will feel the same sense of pride that I do of the part that they, and the staff who work in their schools, jointly play in this journey of growth In the meantime, I wish you the happiest and most restful of Easter breaks

Paul Stubbings Catholic Executive Officer

MESSAGE FROM THE LAY CHAPLAIN

Easter is already upon us, though I remember vividly the assemblies closing the Jubilee Year With a touch of nostalgia, the vibrant displays are being taken down, yet this doesn’t erase the blessings received during this year of grace On the contrary, the hope in the Kingdom of Heaven has been strengthened throughout this journey, empowering our pupils to share peace and joy with those around them How deeply needed is hope today hope in Christ, who cares for all things

Our pupils have given thanks for this remarkable year, entering 2026 with renewed energy and love for God and their neighbours Recently, some have led assemblies to guide their classmates in our shared Lenten journey, while others have followed the commendable example of dedicated staff, spreading their enthusiasm during their school’s Giving Day Amid this vibrant energy embodying love in action, Sixth Formers quietly established a rosary group, interceding for peace in the world. How vital it is to have committed and faithful individuals who pray for people in need

Not only pupils, but also the staff and governors, have been blessed to gather for Trust-wide events this term The momentum shared during these moments of grace is truly uplifting: ideas spark, relationships deepen, and praises and encouragements radiate The Holy Spirit is evidently at work in the Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust!

The prayers of parents and carers have a profound impact in sustaining such meaningful events. Each first Friday of the month, they gather to pray for our pupils, staff, families, and governors Their faithful intercession is a true reflection of the Catholic ethos that unites our family of schools Everyone is warmly invited to join, to share in a moment of peace amidst their busy lives and to entrust SJSCAT mission to God’s care

Throughout this Spring term, pupils, families, staff, and governors have embodied our motto, Omnia in Uno 'Everything in One' as well as our core values of Dignity, Service, and Perseverance Grounded in faith and love, our Catholic mission is expressed through authentic spirituality, where everyone has a place, each one is needed, each one is valued

The term ahead promises further opportunities for spiritual growth and discipleship: a retreat for pupil chaplains and a morning recollection for parents and carers, among others In the meantime, I wish you a blessed Lenten journey May your prayer, fasting, and almsgiving deepen your trust in God and your love for others, strengthen your reliance on Christ in every aspect of life, and increase your faith in the Resurrection

Caroline Moulinet SJSCAT Lay Chaplain

FAITH IN ACTION

Across the Saint John Southworth Catholic Trust, pupils have been actively living out their faith through charity, service and stewardship, inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.

From Lent fundraising walks for CAFOD and pupil-led charity sales, to recycling and sustainability projects, our school communities are making a real difference locally and globally These initiatives reflect a deep commitment to putting faith into action

It is inspiring to see our pupils leading with compassion and purpose, helping to build communities rooted in service, generosity and hope

CATHOLIC LIFE

The Spring term across the Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust has been a reflective and faith-filled period, as our schools journey through Lent in preparation for the joy of Easter Pupils and staff have been encouraged to grow in faith through prayer, acts of service, and moments of quiet reflection, embracing this important season in the Church’s year

Throughout the term, our school communities have focused on themes of renewal, sacrifice and hope, finding meaningful ways to live out their faith in daily life

As we look ahead to Easter, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose and unity, celebrating the promise of new life and the strength of our shared Catholic identity here at the Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust

Pupils have had valuable opportunities this term to engage with the wider Catholic community

At St Joseph’s (Chelsea), highlights included a St Joseph’s Day pilgrimage to Westminster Cathedral, where pupils met Archbishop Moth, who led them in prayer in St Joseph’s Chapel

Pupils from St Joseph’s (Maida Vale) welcomed Canon Kevin Jordan, who led sessions on Catholic Life and Mission, exploring “Love in Action ”

Across the Trust, the term began with celebrations of the Feast of the Epiphany, where pupils reflected on the coming of Christ and the meaning of gifts

They were encouraged to consider how to use their own gifts in service of others, particularly fitting as the spring term calls us to grow, renew and prepare during the season of Lent

This message has been reflected throughout the term in pupils’ actions and contributions to their communities

ST AUGUSTINE’S

This has been a busy and exciting term for St Augustine’s

One of the highlights was our fantastic talent show, where pupils had the opportunity to showcase their many talents and perform for the school community Year 5 also enjoyed a brilliant educational trip to the Tate Modern, exploring the gallery and engaging with inspiring works of art

Earlier in the term we also joined together as a community for Giving Day, where the St Augustine’s community showed wonderful generosity in supporting our fundraising efforts for the OPAL play project, helping to enhance play opportunities for our pupils

Alongside these events, pupils have taken part in a range of enriching activities, including tennis sessions and Science Week, both of which sparked curiosity, teamwork and enthusiasm for learning across the school

Overall, it has been a vibrant and rewarding term filled with opportunities for pupils to learn, explore and celebrate their achievements

The school held a successful Giving Day, raising £7,692 towards a new OPAL play system which will enhance pupils’ playtime experiences

A variety of engaging activities took place throughout the day, including an art sale, an exciting raffle to win the opportunity to be Headteacher for the day, and a lively tug of war, helping to bring the whole school community together in support of the initiative

Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make the day such a success

Science Week was celebrated across the school with great enthusiasm

Mr Dawson launched the week with a whole-school assembly, introducing pupils to themes of curiosity and discovery

In Year 5, pupils explored electrical conductivity by building their own circuits and investigating which materials acted as conductors or insulators

Pupils enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about science through investigation, asking questions and testing ideas

MIDDLESEX TENNIS SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

We have been named Middlesex Tennis School of the Year 2026, a fantastic achievement that reflects the strong enthusiasm for sport across the school.

This recognition highlights the dedication of PE teacher Mr Bennett, whose passion for tennis and inspiration from LTA Youth School training have created a range of opportunities for pupils, including a girls’ breakfast cardio tennis club and sessions for Years 3–6

During the WTA HSBC Championships week, more than 190 pupils took part in tennis activities in PE lessons, including a special visit from Amanda Anisimova, with the week culminating in the school’s first inclusive tennis championships featuring 87 matches

Thank you to Mr Bennett for his commitment and to all the pupils who took part and made the initiative such a success

UPPER SIXTH UNIVERSITY SUCCESS

Our Upper Sixth students have received offers from world-leading universities across the UK, including LSE, Durham, Imperial College and St Andrews.

Seventeen pupils received Oxbridge offers, a record outcome, across subjects including English, Medicine, Architecture, Modern Languages, History, Theology, Geography, Music and Biology

We are immensely proud of the whole year group; they are a testament to the strength of the Vaughan’s Sixth Form, showcasing our academic excellence, calibre of ambition and Future Pathways programme

We look forward to celebrating each student’s success as they prepare for the next exciting chapter

VAUGHAN

This term has been full of inspiring opportunities and experiences for pupils across the school. From Careers Week workshops and enterprise challenges to a virtual author talk for World Book Day, pupils explored new ideas, skills and future pathways

We were delighted to welcome a number of visitors, including CNN Vatican Correspondent Christopher Lamb, who spoke to the Sixth Form about reporting on the Conclave, and John Pontifex from Aid to the Church in Need, who spoke about religious freedom Pupils also had the opportunity to engage in a national discussion on social media alongside Nina Blissett, Dame Rachel de Souza and Kanishka Narayan

Beyond the classroom, pupils enjoyed memorable experiences including a ski trip to Saalbach, a brass and percussion workshop with Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and a vibrant Wellbeing Week filled with activities across the school

There have also been notable achievements to celebrate, including success in the Radio Maria England national spoken-word competition, where two pupils were awarded first and second place for their poetry on Christian unity

The Schola travelled to Trondheim, where they performed a concert in Nidaros Cathedral, the most northerly Gothic cathedral in the world

The concert was in collaboration with the cathedral’s boys’ choir, Nidarosdomens Guttekor, and was warmly received We look forward to welcoming the Norwegian choir to the UK for a joint concert at Our Lady of Victories Church

The following morning, the Schola also sang at Mass in St Olav’s Cathedral, making it a beautiful and memorable visit

Reaching the Middlesex Schools’ FA Cup Final is an outstanding achievement, and the U12A team should be incredibly proud

The team progressed to the final with impressive victories against a vast range of schools

They performed superbly once again and, despite a narrow 3–1 defeat, can take great pride in their efforts

ST JOHN XXIII

This term at St John XXIII has been filled with enriching experiences, bringing learning to life across the school

Each year group took part in educational visits to deepen their understanding of history and science Year 1 visited Kensington Palace, while Year 2 explored Gunnersbury Park Museum Year 3 brought their Ancient Greece topic to life at The British Museum, and Year 4 visited Fulham Palace to enhance their historical learning

Year 5 enjoyed a trip to Barnes Wetland Centre, exploring habitats and wildlife, while Year 6 took a break from SATs preparation to attend Junior Citizenship Day at Craven Cottage, gaining valuable life skills

These experiences have sparked curiosity and enthusiasm, creating lasting memories for all pupils

St John XXIII also celebrated a fantastic Giving Day this term Pupils took part in a wide range of activities, from a cake sale and dance-athons to tug of war and more Thank you to everyone who donated to help us upgrade our computer suite!

British Science Week 2026 is a celebration of all things scientific This year the theme was ‘Curiosity’.

All classes participated in a science day exploring element of curiosity ranging from Curious Conservation to Cosmos of Curiosity

The week ended with a workshop hosted by Sublime Science where pupils engaged in activities such as slime marking, force and climate chaos The whole school also took part in a Zoom call with Primary Futures: Jobs in STEM.

MUSIC FOR YOUTH FESTIVAL

On Friday 27 February, Our School of Rock band proudly took to the stage at this year ' s Music for Youth Festival, sharing the spotlight with a range of talented secondary school ensembles. th

In the week beginning 16 March, KS1 and KS1 focused their English and Drama learning on Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ which culminated in our Year 3, 4 and 5 pupils visiting The Globe Theatre to participate in a ‘Lively Action’ workshop full of drama exercise and fun games to get the pupils on their feet. th

They used Shakespeare’s words, characters and stories to enhance their spoken language and oracy skills and ignited their imaginations

Despite being the youngest participants, the band performed with remarkable confidence, musicality and enthusiasm earning admiration from the audience, fellow musicians and the festival's mentors who gave a very positive feedback after the performances

BOOK WEEK

Book Week at St Joseph’s was truly supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

On World Book Day, the school was transformed with an array of Mary Poppins characters, from Mary and Bert to Jane, Michael, Mrs Banks and even penguins, all brought to life by our wonderfully creative children.

Staff joined in with equal enthusiasm, greeting pupils in full costume and filling the day with joy and imagination Families made an incredible effort, and the sense of fun and community spirit shone throughout

As Mary Poppins reminds us, learning is always better with “an element of fun” and this week captured that perfectly at St Joseph’s

ST JOSEPH’S, CHELSEA

The Spring term has been a wonderfully vibrant and enriching period at St Joseph’s, filled with creativity, celebration, and opportunities for our children to live out our school values in meaningful ways

During Lent, the Pupil Chaplaincy Team led weekly prayer sessions, offering moments of reflection and spiritual growth for their peers Every class created beautiful Lenten crosses, presented at our Good News Assemblies The children also had the opportunity to walk the Stations of the Cross, both in school and at St Mary’s, deepening their understanding of the Lenten journey

Our St Joseph's Giving Days were great fun and included various activities for the children to get involved in, such as a spelling bee, chess challenges and a talent show! There was also a 'Three Cathedrals Walk' which included praying with with Archbishop Moth in Westminster Cathedral Thank you to our community who worked together to help us raise an incredible £25,125 50!

Our Feast Day Mass on 19 March was a beautiful celebration of the togetherness of our school community

As part of their social action project, our Caritas Ambassadors organised three charity sales in February, from book to bracelet sales

The children were incredibly involved, promoting the events, creating posters, visiting classes, sorting donations and helping to sell

Thanks to the generosity of our families and the hard work of the Ambassadors, around £650 was raised

It was a wonderful example of the St Joseph’s community living out “Love in Action ”

Art and DT Week was a celebration of creativity, imagination and our local Chelsea heritage

Across Key Stages 1 and 2, children explored a range of artistic and design activities inspired by Chelsea

A highlight was the opportunity for every class to visit the Saatchi Gallery Pupils experienced contemporary art first hand and gathered inspiration

The enthusiasm and talent shown throughout the week was outstanding, making it a truly memorable celebration of the arts

ST JOSEPH’S, MAIDA VALE

term at St Joseph’s has been full of achievement, pupil voice and community spirit

We are especially proud of our Year 5 and 6 pupils, who won Gold in the Westminster Football Tournaments, demonstrating both skill and excellent sportsmanship

Pupils have also taken an active role in school life, with the School Council sharing thoughtful ideas on catering, and two Year 6 pupils representing the school in a national discussion on online safety Enrichment opportunities included a visit to the London Coliseum to see HMS Pinafore.

Our Giving Days were a great success, raising over £7,000 and bringing the whole community together, while Lenten reflections and upcoming World Book Day celebrations continue to support pupils’ spiritual and academic development

It has been a positive and engaging term, with pupils embracing every opportunity to contribute and succeed.

This term, the St Joseph’s community joined together for a special Giving Day in support of improvements to our Early Years play area

Thanks to the generosity of families, an impressive £7,046 was raised

It was a joyful occasion, with parents joining us for a Valentine’s lunch and an art gallery featuring work from pupils across the school

It was a lovely celebration of creativity and community spirit

CARING FOR OUR WORLD

World Book Day was a magical and fun day at the school, with pupils arriving dressed as a wonderful range of book characters – from an Oompa Loompa to Harry Potter.

This year’s theme, Go All In, encouraged pupils to embrace reading for pleasure and celebrate the joy of books

It was a lovely opportunity to share favourite stories, spark imaginations and remind everyone just how enjoyable reading can be

During the term, pupils explored the inspiring work of Jane Goodall, learning about her lifelong dedication to studying chimpanzees and protecting their natural habitats. Her story encouraged pupils to think more deeply about how we can care for wildlife and look after the world around us.

Through discussions and practical activities, pupils imagined the questions they might ask Jane Goodall and even created their own binoculars ready for a jungle adventure

The learning also connected closely with our focus on Catholic Life and Mission: Love in Action, reminding pupils that caring for our planet and for one another go hand in hand

WORLD BOOK WEEK

World Book Week was a great success and a busy celebration of books and reading across the school Throughout the week, pupils took part in a range of activities designed to spark their imaginations and encourage a love of stories

One of the highlights was a wholeschool project to write our own fairy tale, with each class contributing a different section of the story The finished tale is now being prepared and we hope to publish it soon Pupils also looked fantastic in their fairy tale–themed costumes, which brought the characters and stories to life around the school

We were also delighted to welcome two visiting authors, including one who is a former pupil of the school and still only 14 years old It was inspiring for pupils to hear about the writing process and see how creativity and storytelling can begin at any age

OUR LADY OF VICTORIES

This term, there has been amazing learning at Our Lady of Victories, both inside and outside the classroom

All children have had the opportunity to attend trips linked to curriculum subjects As you can see below, our pupils have been to the National Archives to learn about Ancient Egypt, the Science and Natural History Museums, Holland Park Ecology Centre to learn about minibeasts and habitats and many more places These enrichment experiences are invaluable to bring learning to life and to enhance pupils’ understanding

The Chaplaincy team continues to play an important role as active faith leaders within the school community. Their involvement in liturgies throughout Lent has been inspiring, helping to guide moments of reflection and prayer and encouraging pupils to grow in their faith during this important time in the Church’s calendar

Year 1 have had some interesting visitors to their class this term

As part of their learning in science, they watched eggs hatch into tiny ducklings

The children were really responsible and took care of the ducklings, learning what they need to grow. Even at a few days old, the ducks were happy swimming

To support their History topic on Crime and Punishment, Year 5 visited the Clink Prison Museum.

At this historic site, which dates back to the 17th century, pupils were able to step back in time and discover what life – and punishment –was like for prisoners in the past.

The trip helped bring their classroom learning to life and gave pupils a fascinating insight into how ideas about crime and punishment have changed over time

ST THOMA

This term at St Thomas More Language enriching, with a strong focus on wellbeing

Events such as the Year 11 Parents’ Ev Heart Reception highlighted the importa support pupils and continue the College’s d

Students have engaged with a wide range part in national discussions on online sa Mental Health Week with visiting speakers saw Year 10 pupils explore Orwell and b international links were strengthened thro students and an immersive trip to France

It has been a positive term, with pupils grow, broaden their perspectives and co College

GIVING DAY

We were delighted to join together as a community for the inaugural St Thomas More Giving Day, which proved to be a fantastic celebration of generosity, fun and school spirit.

Sport has been a real highlight this term, with pupils across all year groups embracing a wide range of opportunities and showing fantastic enthusiasm throughout

From basketball and football fixtures to interhouse competitions and volleyball, teams have delivered a series of impressive performances, including tournament victories, unbeaten runs and strong league results

It has been particularly encouraging to see such wide involvement across the school, with pupils of all abilities taking part

Year 7 Spanish students rose to the challenge of the Spanish Spelling Bee, demonstrating great dedication and enthusiasm in their language learning

With an impressive 150 words to learn and spell using the Spanish alphabet, this was no small feat

The competition provided a fantastic opportunity for pupils to build their confidence and deepen their understanding of Spanish

¡Felicidades! to all who took part for their hard work and commitment

Over 36 hours, pupils, staff and families took part in a wide range of activities, from Shakespeare-themed escape rooms to sporting events including table tennis and basketball, as well as a pancake sale, skipping rope competition and even a “guess the baby” challenge

Thanks to everyone involved, we not only met but exceeded our fundraising target, raising vital funds to improve our library and wi-fi system

A huge thank you to all who took part, contributed and supported the event in any way

SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS

If you would like to support our schools and pledge to make a regular gift that is transformative to our fundraising campaign, please email development@sjscat co uk to discuss options to support the Trust.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this

Support Your School

St Augustine’s Helping Hand Fund

Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School Love and Service Fund

St John XXIII Faith in Our Future Fund

St Joseph’s, Chelsea It Takes a Village Fund

St Joseph’s, Maida Vale Live Life to the Full Fund

Our Lady of Victories To Be the Best We Can Be Fund

Saint Thomas More Giving from the Heart Fund

VACANCIES TRAIN TO TEACH

Thank you for taking an interest in joining Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust (SJSCAT) We are a Trust in the Archdiocese of Westminster with a strong Catholic ethos, a tradition of outstanding academic outcomes and a strong regard for good behaviour, selfdiscipline and self-improvement among its pupils

If you would like to be part of this vibrant, forward-thinking yet traditional Trust then apply to join our team today For more information and to show your interest in this role please contact us at teach@sjscat.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

We are currently looking for a wide range of enthusiastic, bright candidates who are excited about the prospect of training to teach! With places in over 22 subjects available, the SJSERA prides itself on providing an environment in which new teachers can flourish, grow, and excel With dedicated mentors on hand, the courses we offer give you the chance to really get stuck into your first year of training

We will be running a series of school experience days and webinars for those who would like to find out more information about the Train to Teach process You can find more at www sjscat/SJSERA co uk