St Philip Howard Catholic School Review 2026: Outstanding Catholic Education in West Sussex

St Philip Howard has occupied its position between Chichester and Arundel since 1959, when it first opened to serve Catholic families across the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. What began as a parish school has evolved into a thriving mixed secondary with sixth form, now educating over 1,000 students drawn from an impressively wide catchment spanning from Worthing to Midhurst. The Ofsted Outstanding rating awarded in October 2021 reflects a school where academic rigour meets genuine pastoral care, where Catholic values guide daily practice without ever becoming exclusive. With approximately 93% of students completing their main study programmes successfully, and a Progress 8 score placing it in the top 11% nationally (FindMySchool data), this is a school where attainment and belonging coexist comfortably.

The school projects quiet confidence. It is rooted deliberately in Catholic faith; prayer and Mass are woven through the calendar, and sixth formers describe the chaplaincy not as an afterthought but as the spiritual pulse of the community. Yet the atmosphere is inclusive. Students speak freely, are known by name by staff, and those of all faiths (or none) feel genuinely welcomed. The motto, Becoming the people God calls us to be, appears across the campus and genuinely shapes decisions about pastoral structures and curriculum design.

The seven houses — named after saints who encountered and overcame genuine struggle — provide genuine identity and belonging. Saint Bernadette's, Saint Cuthman's, Saint Dunstan's, Saint Edmund's, Saint Richard's, Saint Teresa's, and Saint Wilfred's compete in what staff describe as "healthy competition," with points awarded for academic achievement, sporting prowess, service, and kindness. Older pupils mentor younger ones through a formal system where Year 11s step into leadership roles before sixth formers take over the broader responsibility for school culture.

Head teacher Tim Hulse has led the school since 2016, and his leadership has maintained the school's Catholic character whilst deliberately modernising access and opportunity. The school holds National Teaching School status, meaning staff mentor across the Southeast and work formally with other schools to improve practice. This outward focus — combined with the Bosco Catholic Education Trust partnership — ensures the school draws from wider networks rather than retreating into insularity.

GCSE Results

In the most recent results cycle, 54% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in GCSE, the benchmark for "strong pass." The Attainment 8 score of 53.6 sits above the England average, a particularly notable achievement given the school's inclusive intake and the breadth of backgrounds served. The school's Progress 8 score of +0.68 places it firmly in the top 11% nationally, indicating that students progress significantly from their starting points in Year 7 through to examination.

St Philip Howard ranks 1,218th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably within the middle tier of schools nationally. Locally, it ranks 1st among secondary schools in the Bognor Regis area, reflecting its standing within the immediate region. In 2018, the school achieved the highest Attainment 8 score across all 92 secondary schools in West Sussex, an achievement that speaks to both the depth of its curriculum and the quality of teaching practice.

The English Baccalaureate remains accessible to all; 19% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above across the eight EBacc subjects (English, Mathematics, two sciences, a language, and a humanities subject), positioning a significant group of students for further study in academically traditional pathways.

A-Level and Sixth Form

The sixth form, which admits both internal progression and external applicants, educates roughly 250 students across a broad suite of subjects. At A-level, 60% of grades achieved A*-B, placing the school at approximately the 27th percentile nationally and ranking 724th in England (FindMySchool data). These results indicate solid, steady sixth form provision where students secure competitive grades and build confidence for university entry.

Leavers' destinations show clear progression: in the 2023/24 cohort, 54% progressed to university, 27% entered employment, 9% began apprenticeships, and 1% progressed to further education. A small cohort each year secures Oxbridge places, with one Cambridge acceptance in recent years, whilst others access Russell Group universities and beyond.

The curriculum balances breadth with depth. Students study English, mathematics, science (dual or triple), languages (German, French, Spanish), and humanities (history, geography, religious studies) alongside practical and creative subjects including art, drama, dance, music, food technology, textiles, graphics, and computer graphics. This structure means that a student pursuing engineering pathways still studies the arts; a would-be dramatist still completes rigorous science.

Teaching follows clear structures. The school reports that teachers have strong subject knowledge and expectations are consistently high. In science specifically, the school operates six fully equipped teaching laboratories and provides students with practical inquiry as the foundation of learning. Trips to Thorpe Park for physics masterclasses, engineering days at Ricardo Racing, and the Big Bang Fair at Ardingly extend the curriculum beyond the classroom. In English, GCSE and A-level students engage with public speaking competitions, journalism clubs, and BBC School Report projects, building rhetorical confidence alongside textual analysis.

The school holds Dyslexia Aware School Award status, signifying genuine commitment to adapting practice for students with specific learning profiles. This isn't peripheral to teaching; it shapes how all lessons are designed, to the benefit of every learner.

Beyond the Classroom: A Defining Strength

The breadth of opportunity here is notable and deliberately cultivated. The school explicitly recommends that students attend two to three enrichment clubs weekly and publishes an extensive club list each term, with additional opportunities advertised through newsletters and form meetings.

Music & Performing Arts

Performance sits at the heart of school life. The school band and orchestra provide ensemble platforms for musicians at all levels. A dedicated Choir meets early on Wednesdays, whilst students engage in Musical Theatre through both lunchtime clubs and after-school rehearsal. The Drama department runs KS3 Drama Club afterschool, alongside G&T workshops throughout the year. Drama performances occur throughout the academic calendar, including Showcase productions for GCSE and A-level students. The Department also facilitates theatre visits for KS4 and where possible KS3 students, offering insight into live professional theatre. Students have performed at the Dance House and Performing Arts concerts throughout the school year.

The Concert Band rehearses after-school and provides structure and discipline to musicians progressing from informal playing to genuine ensemble work. Individual music lessons are available through the school, covering Piano, Singing, and various orchestral instruments taught by visiting specialists, including tutors with ARSM and DIPABRSM qualifications. The Performing Arts curriculum incorporates dance and musical composition, with students learning keyboard, ukulele, and music production software.

Drama & Dance

Drama is taught across KS3, KS4 GCSE, and A-level, with particular emphasis on practical exploration and theatre practitioner study. Year 7 students develop basic performance skills through role play and communication, Year 8 explores imaginative theatre through resources like masks and lighting, and by Year 9 students embed character work and critical analysis. GCSE students complete 60% non-exam assessment through performance and 40% through written examination. Dance features as both a curriculum subject and enrichment activity, with Dance Club meeting after-school and performance opportunities throughout the year.

Sports & Physical Achievement

Students engage in football, rugby, hockey, netball, basketball, badminton, gymnastics, volleyball, athletics, rounders, cricket, table tennis, and handball across KS3 and KS4. The school operates dedicated Sports Halls and netball courts, providing suitable facilities for competitive and recreational play. After-school clubs run for Year 7, Y8, Y9/Y10 cohorts, organised by sport and ability. Beyond the classroom, sport is woven through the House system, with house points awarded for sporting achievement, encouraging participation beyond elite players.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The school offers all three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Approximately 60 Year 10 students undertake Bronze, with 32 pursuing Silver and a Gold Group of 13 Year 12 students. Expeditions take place in the Brecon Beacons and Lake District for Gold students, with traditional emphasis on wild country experience and the residential component — five days and four nights shared activity with unfamiliar peers — serving as both challenge and personal growth opportunity. Four SPH Gold Award students travelled to St James's Palace in the previous year to celebrate their achievement with the Royal family and celebrity presenters.

STEM & Science Clubs

Science provision extends well beyond curriculum hours. The KS3 Science Club provides enrichment and practical curiosity-driven exploration. At KS4 and KS5, students access IRIS (Institute for Research in Schools) opportunities, including potential publication in scientific journals through the Whipworm Project. Thorpe Park Physics Days, Engineering Days at Ricardo Racing, and attendance at the Big Bang Fair at Ardingly provide industry exposure and practical problem-solving. The school has six fully equipped teaching labs and scientific equipment supporting hands-on learning.

Humanities & Languages

Foreign Language Clubs operate informally and advertise opportunistically. Students may study German, French, and Spanish at GCSE and A-level, and the enrichment structure supports language learning beyond formal lessons. English enrichment includes journalism clubs, BBC School Report participation, local Rotary Club Public Speaking competitions, and Young Writer competitions. Trips to the British Library and National Newspaper headquarters complement textual study.

Creative Arts & Visual Culture

The Art department maintains an open-door policy, with after-school drop-in sessions, Art Club for KS3 students, and specialist support for GCSE and A-level students. Annual Art Exhibitions celebrate student work, with opportunities to exhibit at local venues including Arundel Museum and Pallant House Gallery. Year 10 and 11 students visit art galleries including the Tate Modern and Pallant House Gallery; KS5 students attend life drawing sessions. The school consciously develops young people skilled and confident in creative expression.

Academic Societies & Extension

Palaeontology Club meets at lunchtime; Aviation Club engages STEM-minded students. Debating Society fosters rhetorical skills and critical thinking. English Club and MFL Club provide informal spaces for literary and linguistic discussion. Lego Club attracts creative builders. UNO Club provides competitive card play.

The breadth reflects deliberate philosophy: enrichment is not decoration but central to what St Philip Howard means by education. The school regularly hosts regional and national competitions, performances, and showcases, providing real audiences and external affirmation of student work.

As a state school with no tuition fees, St Philip Howard operates within the local authority's admissions framework. The school is significantly oversubscribed at primary entry (Reception), with 613 applications for 206 places in the most recent data — a ratio of 2.98 applications per place. This reflects strong local demand. No formal catchment boundary exists; places are allocated by Catholic practice criteria first, then by distance from the school, meaning that some pupils travel considerable distances.

At secondary entry (Year 7), the school follows standard coordinated admissions through West Sussex. Catholic pupils whose families meet the Church's criteria have priority; all faiths are welcome and actively encouraged to apply.

The sixth form remains open to external applicants alongside internal progression. Progression from Year 11 to Year 12 is not automatic; entry requires achievement at GCSE and consideration of A-level entry requirements, though the vast majority of students within the school meet these thresholds.

The House system drives pastoral structure. Each house has a Head of House and dedicated tutor groups. Year 11 students serve as Senior Prefects, with Head Girl and Head Boy elected from Year 13. This peer leadership is deliberate: older pupils mentor younger ones, stepping in before emotional issues become entrenched. Staff describe this approach as effective safeguarding through community knowledge.

The school holds specialist status in Humanities, meaning curriculum expertise in history, geography, and religious studies is particularly strong. This is reflected in careful pastoral design: Religious Education is not a service to faith but integral to how students understand themselves, community, and difference. The chaplaincy team — including a trained chaplain — provides space for prayer, reflection, and spiritual care. Days of Reflection invite students to worship and contemplate meaning, with diocesan pilgrimages to Lourdes offered for those seeking deeper engagement.

Behaviour is calm and consistent. The school applies a behaviour code rooted in Gospel values and articulated across notices and conversations: students understand what they're building towards, not simply what they're avoiding. Bullying is rare and taken with utmost seriousness when it occurs.

The school operates from 8:30am, with lessons typically concluding by 3:30pm. The campus includes a sports hall, drama studio, dance studio, and dedicated classrooms; many of these facilities are made available for lettings to the wider community, generating shared use and investment. The school is situated in Barnham village, between Chichester and Arundel, approximately 10 miles inland from the coast. Transport links to the school vary; some pupils travel via local buses, others via school coach services. Most students walk or cycle within the immediate locality.

The school participates in Free School Meal eligibility schemes; families eligible for support are encouraged to register through the local authority. Uniform requirements are standard secondary; costs are managed through ParentPay and discussed transparently on admissions. Catering is provided daily, with lunch options available for purchase or for those accessing free meals.

Faith commitment expected. The school's Catholic ethos is genuine and pervasive. Prayer, Mass, and religious teaching feature daily. Families comfortable with this — or actively welcoming it — find the school's character deeply meaningful. Families uncomfortable with explicit religious practice should look elsewhere.

Distance and commute. The school draws pupils across a wide catchment. Some travel 45 minutes or more daily. Whilst the bus services are reliable, the commute demands consideration, particularly in Years 10-11 when revision and evening catch-up intensify. Families should factor travel time into their decision.

Year 7 transition. The school is large; whilst systems are robust, the jump from primary to secondary of this scale can challenge some children. Strong induction and mentoring mitigate this, but parents should ensure their child has adequate preparation for size and pace.

Oversubscription at Year 7. Whilst secondary admissions data is less specific than primary, the school remains highly sought-after. Families should not assume automatic entry and should consider their distance from the school as a material factor.

St Philip Howard is a school where Catholic identity is lived without being dogmatic, where academic excellence is pursued without cruelty, and where students are genuinely known and supported. Ofsted Outstanding status reflects this balance. The breadth of enrichment, the consistent pastoral structures, and the visible commitment to Gospel values create an environment where young people grow in confidence and character. The teaching is rigorous, the expectations are high, and the space for creativity and spiritual reflection is real.

Best suited to families within a reasonable distance who value Catholic education or respect its centrality to the school's identity. Families comfortable with explicit faith practice, eager for their children to belong to a substantial community, and seeking solid academic progress will find this school rewarding. The main consideration is the commute; geographical proximity matters both practically and in terms of integration into the school community. For families checking distance, use the FindMySchoolMap Search to verify your proximity compared to the last distance offered in previous years.