Living the Archdiocese of Southwark's Vision for Education

Archdiocese of Southwark Website: https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/

Diocesan Education Service Website: https://www.rcaoseducation.org.uk/

St Philomena’s lives out the Archdiocese's vision, it forms part of the school’s ongoing strategic work and supports the common good of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Southwark whilst remaining. faithful to the charism of the Daughters of the Cross.

• The school successfully transferred seamlessly with joy to the Trusteeship of the Archdiocese of Southwark in 2016 under the late Archbishop Peter Smith from the Trusteeship of the Daughters of the Cross who founded the school in 1893. 

• The Headteacher of St Philomena’s responded to the call to be a Catholic School Inspector trained in the newly implemented national framework having previously inspected under the Section 48/Denominational Inspection framework. 

• The school increased its Published Admission Number (PAN) at the request of the late Archbishop Peter Smith in 2014 by half a form of entry from 190-204 students. 

In 2016 it expanded again by an additional form of entry from 204-234 

In 2023 St Philomena’s increased the school roll again by an additional form of entry for one year only from 234-264 students on roll. 

The school is now the largest in the Archdiocese of Southwark welcoming students of Catholic faith, other faiths and none.  The school continues to be oversubscribed. 

• As part of the recent expansion,  the school secured funding for a new building, naming it The Josephine Bakhita Centre in line with the Archbishop vision of promoting the Commission for Racial and Cultural Inclusion. Canon Victor Darlington opened and blessed the building on 21st February 2024.

• The school has recently consulted on its 2025 Admissions Policy in accordance with the newly published Diocesan Admissions guidance implementing the Certificate of Practice.  This policy was determined by Governors on Thursday 25th January 2024.

• The school has implemented the new RE Directory and continues the implementation of the newly published Prayer and Liturgy Directory 

• The school formed a formal partnership with Ursuline High School, Wimbledon in 2014, known as The Avila Partnership. We celebrate a decade of fruitful partnership and collaboration. Avila has served the Archdiocese by strengthening  parish life, supporting evangelisation and the Archdiocese’s vision of  ‘Some Definite Service’ by implementing this current academic year 23/24, the first RCIA pilot programme for non Catholic staff  in our Catholic schools working closely with the  Episcopal Vicar for Education, Canon Victor Darlington. The very first staff made their election at St George’s Cathedral during February halfterm on Saturday 17th February.

• The Headteacher of St Philomena’s continues to mentor Headteachers newly appointed to the role of Headship in the Archdiocese

• The Headteacher co organises an annual Retreat for Catholic Headteachers