St John Fisher Catholic High School

The school’s mission, 'Educating for Life', focuses on the development of the whole person, nurturing each student’s unique gifts and talents. It strives to foster spiritual, moral, intellectual, and personal growth within a caring, inclusive, and distinctive Catholic community. The school places a high value on compassion, dignity, and the belief that every individual should be supported to reach their full potential.

The school offers an ambitious curriculum that spans from Year 7 through to the Sixth Form. Post-16 students benefit from the St Aidan’s and St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form, which provides a broad range of courses and opportunities. Additionally, students participate in the Bishop Wheeler KS3 Baccalaureate and work towards the Stella Maris Leadership Award, which focuses on cultivating intellectual, moral, civic, and performance virtues.

St John Fisher has a strong track record of academic success, with students achieving notable results at both GCSE and A Level. The school aims for students to leave with the qualifications, confidence, and character necessary to thrive in their future endeavours. Recent performance data includes a Progress 8 score of 0.59 and a high overall pass rate for A Level students.

The school provides comprehensive pastoral care and learning support, overseen by a dedicated team that includes Heads of Year, a SENDCo, and student support officers. 'The Attic' serves as a safe haven where mentors provide support for a range of student needs, ensuring that mental health and wellbeing are prioritised. The school also works in partnership with external agencies to provide specialist guidance when required.

St John Fisher Catholic High School welcomes applications from families of all faiths, or none, provided they are supportive of the school's ethos and values. The admissions process includes specific pathways for entry into Year 7 and the Sixth Form, with the school maintaining close links with several Catholic partner primary schools in the region. Prospective families are encouraged to attend open day events to learn more about the transition process.

The school operates on a term-based calendar, with key dates including transition days for incoming Year 6 students, sports awards evenings, and various educational visits. The school provides digital calendar integration options for parents to sync with Outlook, Google, or iPhone calendars. Term dates and specific diary events are published and updated regularly on the school website.

Located on Hookstone Drive in Harrogate, the campus features a variety of facilities including sports pitches, dance studios, performance spaces, and a fitness suite. The school also maintains a chapel and a dedicated student support centre known as 'The Attic'. Many of these facilities, including conference and meeting rooms, are available for hire by the local community during evenings and school holidays.

The school offers a diverse enrichment programme that extends beyond the formal curriculum to include sports, performing arts, and academic competitions. Students can participate in activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, debating societies, concert bands, and senior choirs. Additionally, the school facilitates various educational trips, ranging from local excursions in North Yorkshire to international experiences in locations such as Iceland, France, and New York.