Modern facilities for teaching and learning

Science

Our two modern and fully equipped science laboratories allow boys to become very familiar with a wide variety of apparatus and to benefit from extensive practical work. They also have the opportunity to study ecology on our own Nature Trail. The Department has its own set of laptop computers.

ICT

The school-wide network of over one hundred PCs enables boys to access information easily. The main ICT teaching centre is equipped with twenty-four PCs, with double monitors. The Mathematics room is fully equipped with computers. Our youngest pupils in the Pre-Prep and Nursery benefit from their own ICT Suite. All classrooms in the Junior, Middle and Senior School are equipped with interactive white boards and projectors. LapSafe® trolleys of wireless laptops are used regularly in lessons in the Junior, Middle and Senior School. In recent years there has  been very significant investment in ICT. Each pupil has his own account and older boys are able to access the network from home and make use of SJMoodle - our own Virtual Learning Environment.

Design and Technology

In the Design & Technology workshop, pupils develop an understanding of design and construction using a wide range of modern equipment. This includes a plastic former, a heat treatment hearth, an electronics bay, control technology and other machinery.

Music & Drama

The Performing Arts are an important part of the curriculum and we encourage all boys to perform publicly.

All pupils are taught Music in our well-equipped department. Many boys learn to play musical instruments with one of our team of visiting instrumental teachers. Our Music staff provide opportunities for boys to join choirs, the school orchestra and various other ensembles. A number of concerts and recitals take place throughout the age groups during each year. In recent years our musicians have enjoyed great success in local music festivals and outstanding individuals have achieved Music Scholarships to senior independent schools.

Drama forms an integral part of the curriculum in the Pre-Prep and Junior School. In Year 5 all boys have one lesson of drama per week. Boys take part in productions at all ages, with several performances each year, involving them in acting, stage management, musical accompaniment and stage construction. Visits to the theatre are arranged. The Year 8 end of year Revue, which is a major feature of the summer term, invariably involves all boys in the year group.

Art

All boys in the school have designated Art lessons. These lessons are generally in classrooms for our younger boys bt the other boys invariably study Art in our beautifully equipped Art Studio.

Physical Education

St. John's has marvellous facilities for sport. We have four rugby pitches, three cricket grounds, an athletics track and a cross-country course as well as a new pitch and putt Golf course. The extensive all-weather playing area provides hockey and soccer pitches, as well as six tennis courts in the Summer. During the last three years, over one million pounds has been invested in our playing fields. All a result all our pitches have been levelled and re-seeded. New drainage and an automated irrigation system has been installed. Our modern gymnasium is well-equipped for basketball, badminton, volleyball, indoor cricket and soccer as well as for physical education and gymnastics. Boys also have the advantage of using the swimming facilities at Merchant Taylors' School, only a five minute drive away.

We have an extensive programme of inter-school matches, with block fixtures against other schools often involving as many as ten St. John's teams in different age groups. The main team games are rugby, cricket, hockey and athletics, but school fixtures are also played in basketball, cross-country, golf and chess. In addition, there are also competitions in soccer, tennis and table-tennis.

Ecology and the Environment

St. John's is particularly fortunate in possessing beautiful natural resources. Our areas of woodland, grassland, ponds and the Nature Trail allow the boys frequent opportunities for ecological and environmental study as well as outdoor education.