St Philip Howard Catholic School is devoted to providing the best education, grounded in strong Catholic values, where every child is 'known and loved'

The SPH community is one that we are very proud of. Where every child is ‘known and loved’, students are valued for their unique gifts, talents and personalities, where every decision we take is always in the best interests of the students entrusted to our care.

Our aim is simple, to provide the very best educational experience for your young person. In practice, this means a relentless drive for students to achieve outstanding grades. It means pastoral care and enrichment opportunities are second to none, where all students are ‘known and loved’ and celebrated for who they are. Understanding the importance of being a well-rounded young person, allowed to excel in their own unique way. Most importantly, placing our Catholic faith and identity at the heart of all that we say and all that we do. Our mission is to ensure children leave SPH happy, kind and confident individuals with a strong moral compass, going out into the world to make a positive difference.

Ethos

St Philip Howard is a vibrant school that nurtures individual talent and respect for others.

Mission Statement: ‘Becoming the people God calls us to be’

Our School

SPH is a special place and is first and foremost a Catholic school, guided by Gospel values. We recognise everyone as being made ‘in God’s image and likeness’ and as such everyone, regardless of their own faith perspective, is welcomed and valued for who they are.

We believe in nurturing the whole person and seek to develop responsible, caring and committed young men and women, who make a positive contribution to society and fulfil their potential.

To achieve this, we have a ‘can do’, no excuses culture, setting the highest of possible standards and working in close partnership with parents.

We are a designated National Teaching School, enabling us to work with and support schools across the South East and are proud to be a part of the Bosco Catholic Education Trust, the Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust for Sussex.

Faith in Action

Our school exists for the children and our distinctive Catholic ethos guides every aspect of life at SPH. We believe that it is important to make our faith relevant to young people today.

This means being outward-looking as a community; inclusive of all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, making sure we live out our faith on a day-to-day basis.

Prayer and the sacramental life of the Church is at the heart of our school community as is providing children with opportunities to live out the gospel values.

Every year the children at SPH raise thousands of pounds for worthwhile causes, help people in the local community, serve within school as reading mentors and buddies, attend the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes and visit our partner schools.

We are part of Bosco Catholic Education Trust.

Bosco Catholic Education Trust opened in 2017 with St Mary’s Catholic Primary and St Philip Howard Catholic Secondary. Annecy Catholic Primary joined in 2019 and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in 2020. Since then, the Trust has continued to expand with St Paul’s Catholic College (secondary) and three primaries: St Peter’s Catholic Primary, St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary, Our Lady Queen of Heaven joining over the course of 2022. St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary and St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary Burgess Hill joined the Trust in 2024 and St Catherine’s Catholic Primary most recently in January 2025.

To find out more about the Trust and browse any current live vacancies, please click here