Finchley Catholic High School

Finchley Catholic High School is a distinctively Catholic institution that emphasises the dignity and worth of every individual. Its mission is to foster a community rooted in faith, reason, prayer, and action, where students are encouraged to develop enquiring minds and a commitment to social justice. The school is inspired by the example of St Alban, focusing on the principle that students must know they are loved to achieve academic success.

The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, designed to meet national guidelines while reflecting its Catholic mission. Students follow a structured academic path that includes GCSEs and A-Level studies, with options for the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in the Sixth Form. Comprehensive curriculum booklets are provided for each key stage to guide students and parents through the available courses of study.

The school has been judged 'outstanding' in its most recent Section 48 inspection and maintains a 'good' rating from Ofsted. It tracks student progress using measures such as Progress 8, which evaluates the value added to a student's performance over their five years at the school.

The school prioritises inclusion and pastoral care, with a dedicated SENCO and a pastoral team that includes a Sixth Form learning mentor. Support is integrated into the school's daily life to ensure students feel safe, secure, and able to flourish academically.

The school admits boys at age 11, with a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 180 for Year 7. As a Catholic institution, priority is given to baptised Catholic applicants, and all families are expected to support the school's Catholic ethos. In-year applications are managed directly by the school, and a waiting list is maintained based on oversubscription criteria.

The academic year includes key events such as Year 10 work experience, Year 7 transition days, and Year 12 work shadowing. The school year concludes in mid-July, with specific dates for INSET days and term breaks published on the school website.

The campus includes the Peter Keenan Library and science laboratories used for practical subjects like psychology. The school is currently fundraising for the construction of a new sports hall and has recently acquired new sporting equipment. The site also features an Oratory located in the White House.

The school offers a range of extra-curricular activities, including a junior book club, sports teams such as Gaelic football, and drama productions like 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. Students also participate in international trips, such as visits to Rome and Northern Spain, and engage in activities like table tennis and various subject-specific clubs.