St John Fisher Catholic School


St John Fisher Catholic School is a Roman Catholic secondary comprehensive school and sixth form located in the Diocese of Southwark in Chatham.
St John Fisher is one of two genuine comprehensive schools in Medway, an authority that retains selection. Pupils also travel in from Sittingbourne and Sheppey in Kent. It is also the only Catholic secondary school within the local authority and also the only secondary school with two separate sites. The main site located at Ordnance Street, Chatham is for Year 9 to 13, while years 7 and 8 are on a separate campus known as the Lower School, at 79 Maidstone Road, Chatham.

Motto

The school's motto Deo Redditte Dei means 'give back to God what belongs to God'. This is a biblical reference referring to when Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees on the subject of taxation; Jesus was asked whether the Jews should pay taxes to the Romans or not.

History

St John Fisher Catholic School was founded in 1964. The school is named after John Fisher, the Catholic bishop, Cardinal and martyr.

Academics

St John Fisher operates a two-year Key Stage 3, this is run on the Maidstone Road site. This is designed to build on the 'good work' of teachers in the principal feeder schools. Pupils are setting in ability groups for Mathematics and English only, and the rest of the broad and balanced curriculum is taught in mixed ability tutor groups.
Student transfer to the Ordnance Street site for the three year Key Stage 4. All students choose three options which they study along side Religious Education, English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Double Science, PSHRE and Physical Education.

Sixth Form Centre

Until the summer of 2010 the St. John Fisher Sixth Form Site was located at a separate building further up the road. The Sixth Form is now located at the main St John Fisher school site making this a specialist Year 9 to 13 upper school site. This gives the senior students a chance to fulfill their roles as mentors and role models to younger pupils, and contribute to the school ethos and culture.
Students are offered 21 A level and BTEC Level 3 courses
Ofsted in 2019 stated: 'Teaching in the sixth form is strong. The curriculum meets the needs of students. Consequently, students move on to appropriately ambitious destinations.'

Partner primary schools

In case of oversubscription, priority goes to Catholic children and then to non-Catholics who have attended these schools.

Notable alumni