St Simon Stock Catholic School has a proud history and a deserved reputation, both within Kent and nationally, for the strong academic progress that its young learners make, and for the high expectations and aspirations that they have as they journey through life. I am honoured to have been appointed to lead the school as of September 2023.

The all-round development at the heart of the school’s mission includes moral and spiritual formation. Life at St Simon Stock Catholic School places strong emphasis on cultivating the intellect through the academic programme, but also encompasses other aspects of personal growth through a vibrant and varied wider curriculum and excellent pastoral care. The school’s mission calls students to develop their character, add value to the lives of others and to always strive for the highest academic standards.

The school motto ‘Labora Cum Amore’, means ‘Work with Love’, as Christ taught us to do. We are a welcoming and inclusive school that works together as a community with both love and compassion.

Our Carmelite Charism calls students to service, through developing virtues such as hope, faith, service, charity and reflection. We encourage them to cultivate key habits and self-discipline that will help them at school and in later life. This emphasis on virtue, and on the wider curriculum, does not detract from the academic purpose of the school; on the contrary, it gives our students the best possible chance of success in their endeavours, academic and otherwise.

The school provides a broad, balanced and knowledge rich curriculum and offers enriching opportunities and experiences. There is an ongoing focus on the delivery of outstanding teaching and learning in the school, where there is appropriate pace and challenge. Students’ progress is regularly measured and appropriate additional help and guidance is given where it is needed. Success is always recognised and students are rewarded in many ways for their efforts. Most students move on to the school’s vibrant Sixth Form which offers a broad range of subjects and all the support needed to springboard into higher education and employment.

St Simon Stock Catholic School has a strong family ethos and is known within its catchment area for its excellent pastoral care. It has the committed support of the staff, parents, carers and Local Governance Committee members. Christ’s love is at the centre of all that the school does and it nurtures every student in its care so they may become happy, confident and well-rounded young people.

If you share our vision of an education which values high academic achievement while recognising the importance of creating grounded and well-rounded young people, I hope you will consider St Simon Stock Catholic School for your child and come and see us on our Open Evening.

Mrs A Denny

Headteacher