Salesian College is a Voluntary-Aided Roman Catholic school in Battersea, London, for boys aged 11 to 16, and based on the educational principles of St John Bosco. The educational philosophy of John Bosco can be condensed into three words: reason, religion, and kindness. The basic principle of his system was a deep understanding and love for young people and the problems they face in the world.
At Salesian College we are proud of our recent achievements:
Three DFES School Achievement Awards
Most improved boys’ comprehensive in England and Wales 1998-2001
Included in DfES list of 100 most improved schools 2000 and 2001
Five passes at A*-C improved from 18% in 1998 to 47% in 2004
Highest added value in Wandsworth LEA, in 2002, 2003, 2004 (KS3–GCSE)
A beacon for achievement for boys from ethnic minorities
Enterprise Pathfinder school 2004-05
Specialist school 2005
Healthy Schools
SSAT Value-added club 2007
SSAT Most Improved club 2007
You may have heard that Salesian College will close in 2011. Plans have now been submitted and a name chosen - Saint John Bosco School. An outline application has gone into the council’s planning department and an open day will be held so local people can view the plans. Saint John Bosco School will replace two existing schools – John Paul II and Salesian College - and will specialise in business and modern languages. The aim is to invest in the future of Catholic education in Wandsworth, and create a large, superbly equipped school which will rival any school in London for excellence.
We have been working towards this for several years, and although we are sad to be closing, we know it is going to improve education for Catholic children for generations to come. The Council want the new school to open on the Salesian site on 1 September 2011. Every boy from the College will become a member of the new school and so will children at John Paul II, although they will stay on their own site. In 2011, 120 boys and girls will be admitted to the new school. Building works will start on one part of the site, while education continues as normal in the main building. We hope that everything will be completed by 2013.
Our staff and governors are totally committed to providing an excellent education for the next three years. We are fully staffed, with many experienced and capable teachers. Investment continues: new computer equipment has been installed this year. Behaviour is very good. Results improve every year. We are proud of what we have achieved and intend to go out on a high.