St Joseph’s College is a lively and purposeful day and boarding school offering girls and boys aged 2 to 19 space to thrive. The Nursery, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form provision offers a broad, well-rounded and all-through education.
Located on a 60-acre parkland site near to the centre of Ipswich, the College lies just 10 minutes’ walk from Ipswich train station and a five-minute drive from the A12/A14 interchange.
Traditional values are at the heart of the school community, which, at the same time, is forward-thinking, meeting the challenges of an ever-changing world. Pupils are provided with every opportunity to develop their talents to the full.
Ethos. The uniqueness of St Jo’s is shaped by its ethos, combining Christian values with a distinctive approach to supporting and nurturing children individually within a friendly, family environment. Along with the pursuit of excellence, this approach is reflected in all aspects of life at the College – academic, sporting, spiritual and cultural.
Developments. December 2019 saw the reopening of the College Chapel following a £750K upgrade. During the refurbishment, a new meeting space was created – The ARC, named after the school’s three core values, Aspiration, Respect and Confidence. The Pavilion, with dual-aspect views over the sports fields, also opened that year. It supports the school’s move to four performance sports: rugby, cricket, football and netball. New cricket nets were installed and an indoor cricket training facility updated.
There is a striking, post-industrial Sixth Form Centre and a colourful, curving Prep School building with maltings-style windcatcher towers. The College’s Technology Centre caters for Engineering, while award-winning sports pitches, floodlit AstroTurf, sports hall and fitness suite serve PE, Games and recreational sport.
ISI Inspection. St Joseph’s College was top rated by the Independent Schools Inspectorate for EYFS, Prep School, Senior School, Sixth Form and Boarding. ISI rated the school 'Excellent' across both mandatory inspection judgement areas: the quality of pupils’ achievement and the quality of pupils’ personal development. St Joseph’s was commended for academic achievement, teacher subject knowledge, and student study skills, self-discipline and social awareness. The school also met all requirements on its Compliance Inspection in 2023.
Boarding. Flexible, weekly, short-term and full boarding is offered in two family-run, spacious and warm boarding houses, recently redecorated and upgraded. Accommodation includes both single and shared rooms, with kitchens, studies and recreational facilities.
Curriculum. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced education for all pupils. Strong foundations in the core skills of reading, writing and numeracy are laid down in the Infant Department and consolidated in the Juniors. Science, Spanish, Music, PE and Engineering are taught by specialists. Work is cross-curricular and there is an emphasis on STEM subjects.
The Senior School students are set according to ability in certain subjects. In Years 7 to 9, the emphasis remains on the core subjects while developing the knowledge and skills required for more advanced studies. At GCSE, Mathematics, English Language & Literature and Double Science Award are compulsory, with PE and Faith, Life & Wellbeing also studied by all. There is a wide range of optional subjects.
The majority of students proceed to the Sixth Form to complete their A level and vocational courses. Subjects available include: Art, Biology, Business (A Level and BTEC), Chemistry, Computer Science, Digital Media (CTEC), Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, Engineering (BTEC), English, French, Geography, History, Law, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Mathematical Studies, Music, Photography, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, Sport Coaching and Development (BTEC) and Textiles. St Joseph’s also offers EPQ, IELTS and EAL, and is a national test centre for SATs.
The well-regarded Learning Support department operates throughout the College to provide individual and small group assistance to students of all abilities with specific learning needs and differences. Comprehensive careers guidance is available from Year 9, and the College has a highly experienced Futures Advisor.
Extracurricular activities. Sport, Art, Music and Drama are strongly encouraged, as is participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The College stages a musical production annually, together with plays and concerts. A large number of extracurricular clubs meet weekly. Regular ski trips, activity holidays and language exchanges are organised throughout the College, including a Year 9 exchange with two leading schools in Sydney, Australia.
Admission. Entry to the College is normally at 2+, 7+, 11+, 13+ and the Sixth Form, with applications for vacancies at other ages subject to spaces being available. The entry process includes an interview, a Taster Day, a formal assessment and a report from the applicant’s previous school. For the Sixth Form, the academic assessment is replaced by GCSE results.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Nursery: £66–£68 (per full session); Infants (Reception to Year 2): £3,689; Juniors (Years 3–6): £5,167 (day); Senior School: Years 7–8 £6,112 (day), £10,825 (weekly boarder), £10,926 (full boarder); Year 9–11 £6,503 (day), £11,825 (weekly boarder), £14,526 (full boarder); Sixth Form: £6,503 (day), £11,825 (weekly boarder), £14,526 (full boarder).
Scholarships and bursaries. The College offers a number of scholarships each year at select points of entry into Prep, Senior and Sixth Form, including academic, all-round and subject specific, including Sport. Means-tested bursaries may also be available in cases of need. Please contact the Admissions team for further information.
Charitable status. St Joseph’s College is a Registered Charity, number 1051688. It exists to provide high-quality education for children.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Chair: Mr Perry Glading
Vice Chair: Mr Richard Stace, LLB
Mr John Button
Mr Kevyn Connelly
Mr Phil Dennis
Mrs Emma Hardwick
Mr Patrick Lewis
Mrs Jo Ludlam
Mr Anthony Newman
Mr Matthew Potter
Mr Christopher Richardson-Smith
Mr Christian Ross
Senior Leadership Team:
Principal: Mrs Danielle Clarke, BA Hons, NPQH
Deputy Principal: Mr Sacha Cinnamond, BA Hons, MA, NPQH
Vice Principal, Head of Prep School: Mrs Amanda Childs, MA, BA Hons, QTS, PGCPS, Dip Ed
Vice Principal, Pastoral: Mrs Gina Rowlands, BA Hons, PGCE, NPQH
Vice Principal, Co-curricular: Mrs Vicki Harvey, BA, PGCE, DipEd, NPQH, MCCT
Director of Business Development and Sport: Mr Anthony O’Riordan, NPQSL, NPQH
Director of Finance: Mrs Julie Keech, FCCA
Director of Admissions, Marketing and Communications: Mrs Sarah Edwards, BA Hons
Senior School Heads of Faculty and Pastoral Leads:
Dr Jen Stimson (Director of Academic and International Projects)
Mrs Katherine Simpson-Jacobs (Head of Sixth Form)
Mrs Mychaela Frost (Head of Technology)
Mrs Jane Wicks (Head of Learning Support/SENDCo)
Mr James Ingle (Deputy Director of Sport)
Mrs Sally Hosking-Burtle (Head of English)
Mr Chris Fletcher (Senior Pastoral Manager)
Mr Dominic Briffa (Head of Science)
Mr Colin McNicholas (Head of Humanities)
Ms Morag Strong (Head of MFL & EAL)
Miss Helen Rolls (Head of Mathematics)
Mrs Vicki Harvey (Head of Creative and Performing Arts)
Prep School:
Mrs Lucy Dhanak (Head of EYFS & Infant)
Mrs Dianne Searle (Deputy Head)