The John Fisher School Review 2026: Faith, Rugby, and Rigour

Founded in 1929, The John Fisher School occupies a unique position in the educational landscape of South London. It is a state-funded Catholic boys' school that often feels like an independent institution, particularly on the rugby pitch where it competes on equal terms with the likes of Whitgift and Dulwich College. Located in Purley, the school serves a wide catchment of Catholic families across Sutton, Croydon, and Surrey.

Under the leadership of Mr R F Teague, appointed Headteacher in September 2023, the school has navigated a significant period of consolidation. The Ofsted inspection in June 2023 rated the school Good, noting that leaders have "high expectations" and that students are "proud to attend". It remains one of the few state schools in England to maintain such a strong focus on traditional team sports alongside academic expectation.

The atmosphere at John Fisher is distinctively purposeful. There is a palpable sense of identity here, forged through nearly a century of history and a robust house system. Students belong to one of seven houses, including Becket, Challoner, Fisher, and More. House loyalty runs deep and is fuelled by competitions that range from debating to the annual sports day.

The site itself is a blend of the original 1920s architecture and modern additions, set within expansive grounds that are the envy of many London schools. The Chapel sits physically and metaphorically at the heart of the campus. This is not a faith school in name only; the values of "Aspire, Persevere, Succeed" are framed within a clear moral structure.

Boys here are energetic but generally courteous. The 2023 inspection report highlighted that students "behave well in lessons and around the school site" and that relationships between staff and students are "respectful and positive". The environment is traditionally masculine but increasingly focused on modern virtues, with a growing emphasis on emotional literacy and mental health awareness to counter the "stiff upper lip" stereotype.

Academic outcomes at The John Fisher School are solid and reflect a broad intake that performs consistently well against national benchmarks.

In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.28, indicating that students make above-average progress from their starting points compared to peers across England. The Attainment 8 score stood at 55, well above the England average of 45.9.

The school ranks 1,221st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This performance places it in the middle 35% of schools in England, meaning it sits just outside the top 25% of schools in England and delivers results that are strong and reliable. Locally, it ranks 12th in the competitive Croydon area.

Performance in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is notable. The average point score of 4.71 compared to the England average of 4.08 suggests a curriculum that retains academic breadth. Boys continue with languages and humanities alongside core subjects.

Sixth Form Results

The Sixth Form is a significant strength and attracts students from the main school and external applicants. In 2024, A-level students achieved an A*-B pass rate of 43%. While this is slightly below the England average of 47.2%, the proportion of top grades (A*-A) was 23.8% and aligns closely with the national picture.

Ranked 1,365th in England for A-level outcomes, the Sixth Form sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). These figures reflect a comprehensive intake where academic rigour is balanced with the school's holistic offer.

The curriculum at John Fisher is broad and ambitious. In Key Stage 3, students follow a traditional range of subjects, including separate sciences, languages, and humanities. The teaching style tends to be structured and direct. This method often suits the learning profile of boys by keeping pace high and expectations clear.

Inspectors in 2023 found that "teachers have strong subject knowledge" and use assessment effectively to check understanding. There is a specific focus on literacy to recognise that boys can sometimes lag in this area. Reading initiatives are prominent and vocabulary development is embedded across subjects.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is well-regarded. The Learning Support Department works closely with teaching staff to ensure strategies are applied in the classroom. The school provides a supportive environment for those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to ensure they can access the full curriculum.

Destinations data reflects the diverse ambitions of the student body. In 2024, 57% of leavers progressed to university, while 7% secured apprenticeships, often with high-profile employers in engineering and finance.

The school maintains a pipeline to elite institutions. In the most recent cycle, there was one successful Oxbridge applicant, and five students made applications. While the percentage of students moving to Russell Group universities is not published as a standalone figure, the school consistently sends students to research-intensive universities including Exeter, Nottingham, and Southampton.

The careers advice is robust and includes a dedicated focus on "Plan B" options. The strong alumni network often provides work experience opportunities and mentorship, particularly in the City and in sports-related fields.

Admission to The John Fisher School is competitive. As a Voluntary Aided Catholic school, the Governors are the admissions authority, and faith criteria play a central role.

In 2024, the school received 464 applications for 178 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of 2.6 applications per place. It is heavily oversubscribed.

Priority is given to:

1. Catholic Looked After Children.
2. Catholic boys with a Certificate of Catholic Practice.
3. Other Catholic boys.
4. Other Looked After Children.
5. Boys of other faiths or no faith.

In practice, for the past several years, places have been filled almost exclusively by Catholic boys who can evidence regular Mass attendance. Families must complete both the local authority Common Application Form (CAF) and the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF).

Pastoral care is structured around the House system and Year groups. Each student has a Form Tutor who is the first point of contact, supported by Heads of House and a Director of Student Support.

The school has worked hard to create a culture where boys feel able to speak up. The "Fisher Way" promotes virtues of respect and service. The chaplaincy is an active presence that offers a sanctuary for students of all faiths and none. It provides a listening ear distinct from the academic staff. Safeguarding procedures, previously a point of concern in 2021, were judged effective and secure in the 2023 inspection.

If there is one area where John Fisher punches significantly above its weight, it is sport. Rugby is the totemic activity here. The school fields multiple teams in every year group and plays a fixture list that includes the country's most prestigious independent schools. Saturday mornings are busy with matches, and the school has produced numerous professional players and internationals.

However, the school is careful to ensure sport is not the only outlet.

Music

The outcome of a strong choral tradition, the Chapel Choir performs regularly, including tours abroad and services at Southwark Cathedral.

The Arts

Drama productions are staged annually, often in collaboration with local girls' schools, providing opportunities for acting, set design, and technical support.

Combined Cadet Force (CCF)

The CCF is popular and offers leadership training, field days, and camps that develop resilience and self-discipline.

This breadth ensures that while the rugby player is celebrated, the musician, the debater, and the artist also find their tribe.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Education is funded by the government.

Families should be aware of voluntary contributions for specific activities.

• School Fund: Parents are invited to make regular voluntary contributions to the School Fund, which supports facility upgrades and the minibus fleet.
• Trips & Visits: Residential trips (e.g., ski trips, rugby tours to South Africa or New Zealand) are charged at cost.
• Music Lessons: Peripatetic music tuition is available at an additional cost.
• Uniform: The distinctive blazer and sports kit can be purchased from designated suppliers. The school runs a second-hand uniform shop to support families.

The school is located in Peaks Hill, Purley. It is well-served by public transport; Purley and Reedham stations are within walking distance and connect to central London and Surrey. A number of dedicated school buses serve the wider catchment.

The school day typically runs from 8:35am to 3:05pm, though the site remains busy well into the evening with fixtures and clubs. Parents should note that Saturday commitment is expected for those selected for sports teams.

Faith commitment is essential. This is a school where the Catholic ethos is lived, not just stated. For admissions, a Certificate of Catholic Practice is effectively mandatory to secure a place due to oversubscription. Families not attending Mass regularly are unlikely to gain entry.

Boys-only environment. The school is single-sex from Year 7 to Year 13. Families should consider whether their son will thrive in an all-boys environment. It can be boisterous and competitive, though the school works hard to channel this positively.

Competitive entry. With nearly three applicants for every place, securing admission is not guaranteed even for practicing Catholic families. Living close to the school does not guarantee a place if faith criteria are not met, though distance is used as a tie-breaker within categories.

The John Fisher School offers a compelling proposition: a state-funded education with the ethos, sporting opportunities, and traditional values often associated with the independent sector. The return to a Good rating in 2023 confirms its upward trajectory. Best suited to boys from Catholic families who will thrive in a structured, active environment where sport and faith are central pillars of daily life. The main challenge is securing a place in this heavily oversubscribed community.