Building Fund

Building Fund

Parents decide to send their children to a Catholic school because they know that their child will be educated in a Catholic environment which focuses on an excellent education.  "Religious primary schools achieve better test results than other state and private schools." (Sunday Times, 2018). Faith schools share a seat of religious values, based around the moral idea of a work ethic - of working hard to achieve the best that you can.

Catholic schools are the second biggest provider of education in the country with more than one million people; be they pupils, teachers, governors, diocesan education teams, support staff or parent helpers, currently involved in its schools. They pride themselves on academic excellence and a strong ethos on the formation of the whole child. Most importantly, they are beacons of community cohesion. It is a privilege for a child to attend a Catholic school and the Church is proud that Catholic schools in England are the most ethnically diverse. 

The quality of Catholic schools has also been recognised by the Government and they have granted many of them ‘voluntary aided’ status. What this means is that although the schools are in the state system, we can retain our traditions and organise the school on the basis of the teachings of the Church.  But, in return, we are required by law to raise 10% of the cost of developing and maintaining the school buildings. This has been the case for over 40 years.

So, as a voluntary aided school, if we need to improve the school, or undertake basic repairs or add additional facilities, we need to find 10% of the cost ourselves. There is no choice in the matter. If the money is not raised, the work cannot be undertaken.

Our Governors ask for termly voluntary donations of £12 to the 'School Building Fund' at St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, so that we can continue to provide the best possible teaching and learning environment for your children.

What the money can buy for a Catholic school:

• Re-roofing and redecoration
• Building Extensions
• Site Security
• New windows
• New toilets

At SJB, we have been blessed with the Catholic primary school facilities that have been developed with the sacrifice, commitment and hard work of past and current families. Through the contribution of families and the generous support of parents to the School Building Fund, we have together been able to provide the resources and facilities that the children now benefit from in our school.

As Governors, we are committed to providing a high standard of learning environment and there is still a lot that we would like to achieve but we do need to continue to finance additional projects and essential maintenance works. There is an ever continuing need to refurbish our existing facilities to meet the requirements of today’s education standards and improve the learning environment of the school for the benefit of all the children, staff and parents.

Our excellent staff team are committed to giving your child the very best primary education. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.