St Philomena's School was first established in 1893, when the Daughters of the Cross purchased Carshalton House. This was advertised in The Times of 1859 as having "extensive and very complete arrangements for conducting an important scholastic establishment situated in finely timbered park grounds".

The school is situated in twenty-five acres of beautiful parkland and in buildings which include a refurbished Queen Anne Mansion. Since its foundation, the school has given its pupils every opportunity to develop spiritually, intellectually and socially in the context of a Catholic community which is forward looking while maintaining all that is best of traditional values.

A VISION FOR ST PHILOMENA'S

1. A Community where Christ is present.

St Philomena's exists as a distinct community because it has Christ as its foundation. His teaching and example are the basis for its daily life, relationships and future hopes. It should be possible to meet Christ in all aspects of the life of the school and the spiritual dimension should underpin all its work:-

(a) Service

The example of service that Christ gave us when he washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper should be what guides each person in the leadership of the staff and pupils for whom they have a special responsibility. Leadership in the school must reflect its Christian nature by putting the welfare and development of pupils and staff first and so putting Christ's example into practice.

(b) Personal Relationships

The twin themes of love of God and love of neighbour should guide every member of the community, both pupils and staff. We should be a spiritual and not just a religious community so we can show our love of God through our relationship with him. It is through the respect, concern and care shown by all members of the school for each other, whether pupils or staff, that we can see love of neighbour in practice.

(c) Spiritual Development

St Philomena's should provide a setting where the faith of pupils and staff can mature. Our prayer and liturgy should enable pupils and staff to find a greater knowledge of and closer relationship to God, and the practical circumstances of daily life should be used to help us develop our consciences and moral judgement. It should be a setting where pupils and staff are allowed the freedom and opportunity to think about and develop their own principles and attitudes in the light of the teaching of Christ and his Church.

(d) Curriculum

One of the early Church Fathers said: "The glory of God is each person fully alive". The curriculum at St Philomena's should encourage excellence and achievement through the breadth of opportunity available, the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom and the motivation that comes from good relationships between staff and pupils. Each pupil is equally important and this should be reflected in the curriculum where all pupils should be encouraged to achieve their potential, and have their achievements recognised and praised.

All members of St Philomena's should be encouraged to fulfil their ministry and use their talents to the full so that they can bring Christ to each other and to the wider community of the school.

2. A Community from which Christ is taken to others 

St Philomena’s cannot be a community in isolation. Its members must go out to play their full role in the local church and bring their distinctive influence to bear on the wider community. 

All pupils at St Philomena’s should be helped and prepared for the roles they can play in the community outside the school. They will be helped to develop the qualities of personal responsibility and commitment as well as the knowledge and skills which will equip them for later life. 

We must look forward so that we can prepare pupils now for the changes and challenges that the wider world will present in their adult lives whether in the world of work, in the areas of moral and social issues or in the Church. They will be better able to bring Christ into all aspects of their lives and influence others by their example. 

It is our responsibility to prepare all pupils so that they can fulfil their ministry in the Church and the wider world now and in the future. By taking Christ to others by their work and example they will be the leaven, which helps to establish the Kingdom of God. 

Publication of the school’s recent Ofsted Inspection Report
The school was inspected over two days on 24th and 25th February 2022. 

We request that you read the following information 'Covering Letter to Parents/Carers' alongside the report below.

2022 - Covering Letter

2022 - School Inspection Report

2011 - School Inspection Report 

2008 - School Inspection Report

 The School Day

8:30 - 15:00 each day amounts to 32.5 hours in a typical week

Year 7, 8 & 9 leave school at 2.45pm. If any students in Year 7, 8 & 9 have RE, PE, Art or a Design Technology, Food, Product design or Textiles lesson Period 5 they will remain in their lesson until 3pm.

Due to school expansion in 2014, 2016 and 2023 and the large numbers of students on site, over 1400 who travel long distances, it’s important to support safety of young people and the wider community with a staggered dismissal.

Students start to arrive from 7.30am. They are to go to dining hall where a supervised breakfast club takes place. All other areas of the school are unsupervised until 8.25am

Punctuality

All students should have a 100% punctuality record. Only lateness for exceptional reasons will be excused. Regular lateness is unacceptable.

Students should be in school by 8.15 a.m. and in their Tutor Room at 8.25 a.m. Students who arrive after 8.30 a.m. but before 8.45 a.m. should go to Reception to be registered by a senior member of staff. Students who arrive after 8.45 a.m. must go to the Attendance Officer to be signed in. Students are not allowed to arrive late for Lesson 1 without a slip from the Attendance Officer, unless they have had a music lesson in school.

In cases for example, where the absence at registration was for attending an early morning medical appointment, the appropriate authorised absence code will be entered.

The school’s procedures for dealing with poor punctuality are outlined below:

Stage 1: Tutor monitors punctuality weekly and discusses any concerns with the student.

Stage 2: Attendance Officer will write home issuing a ‘Punctuality Warning Letter’ informing the family if their daughter has accrued 3 - 4 lates per term

Stage 3: Attendance Officer will write home issuing a ‘Punctuality Student Contract Letter’ informing the family if their daughter has accrued 5 -7 lates per term HOY will initiate a Student Contract to monitor punctuality daily. Students will have their lunch time withdrawn on any day they arrive late; they will be able to purchase food from the Dining Room if necessary. A student on contract who is late twice in any one week will be sanctioned as stated in the Punctuality Contract.

Stage 4: Parents invited to meet with Head of Year (more than 8 lates)

Stage 5: Parents invited to meet with SLT Link and Head of Year (12+ lates)

Stage 6: Headteacher invites parents to meet and discuss continued concerns about punctuality. For Sixth Form students a meeting will be held with the Assistant Headteacher – Head of Sixth Form and /or Headteacher to consider if the student should be entered or withdrawn from their Sixth Form courses. Recoursing options will be considered in line with criteria set out in Sixth Form entry policy.

Stage 7: Governors Pastoral & Well Being Committee invites parents to meet and discuss continued concerns about punctuality,

Cognus Attendance Support Team Letter

Morning Supervision
Students are only permitted to enter on to the school site from 7:30am at the earliest if they are coming to Breakfast Club. Breakfast Club is open from 7.30am to all students in the Dining Hall only. Students should not be accessing other parts of the school buildings at this time. Students have the option to either purchase breakfast or to use the Dining Hall quietly. The daily Breakfast Club is supervised and operates weekdays, Monday through to Friday, term time only. Chartwells serve healthy hot and cold food.

We have an active and enthusiastic Governing Body that is responsible for the efficient and effective running of the School. Led by a Chair and Vice-Chair, Governors represent all the stakeholders of the school – teachers, parents, Diocese, and of course, the pupils themselves. Initial contact with Governors can be made via email through the Clerk to the Governors: clerk@stphils.org.uk

The governors of St Philomena's Catholic High School for Girls believe it is important that the membership pf their governing body reflects the diversity of the school community it serves. The school believes that a diverse governing body promotes an inclusive school environment and provides diverse role models for staff and young people, in line with its Imago Dei principles.

Click below to view: 

Governors Code of Conduct 2023-2024

Governors' Allowances Policy 2024-2026 

Governor Register of interests - Membership of Committee(s)

Clerk to Governing Body:

Contact Addresses: 

Gross Salary                 Number of Employees

£100,000 – £110,000                   0

£110,000 – £120,000                   0

£120,000 – £130,000                   0

£130,000 – £140,000                   0

£140,000 - £150,000                    0

£150,000 - £160,000                    0

£160,000 - £170,000                    1