St Joseph's College, Reading

St Joseph's College (formerly St Joseph's Convent School) is a coeducational private day school in Reading, Berkshire, England. In September 2010, it changed its name to St Joseph's College to reflect the move into co-education from being a girls' school. The junior section is known as St Joseph's College Prep School. It was a member of the Girls' Schools Association until the move into coeducation. The College is now a member of the Society of Heads, Independent Schools Council and Catholic Independent Schools’ Council. It won the TES Independent School of the Year award in November 2015.

History
St Joseph's Convent School was founded in 1894 by the Sisters of St Marie Madeleine Postel, whose aim was to provide a good education in a warm and loving atmosphere. Julie Frances Catherine Postel was born in Barfleur, France in 1756, and was a pioneer in education, basing her teaching on the De La Salle method. She took the name Marie Madeleine after being made a superior, died in 1846 and was canonised in 1925.

St Joseph’s Convent School was found in Bracknell 1894, later relocated to Castle Hill as the population reached 40 pupils. Reaching the boarding capacity by 1908, the Sisters sought the location of the Broad Oak House on the Upper Redlands Road. Finally, the Convent was reopened on the current site in March 1910.

Throughout the years, extensions were built by the side of the Broad Oak House, including a much-needed Chapel, Hall, Gymnasium and classrooms. The old Hall was eventually converted as the current Theatre, and a new College Hall, connected to the new Chapel with a fixed altar, is built. The new College Hall cum Chapel replaced the old Chapel, which was converted as the library.

In 1947 St Georges Hall on Christchurch Road (now belonging to the University of Reading) was purchased by the Convent as the Preparatory School to accommodate younger siblings of pupils. Later in 1988 a brand new specially designed Prep School was built in the orchard of the Convent, to replace the site on Christchurch Road, now named St Joseph’s Preparatory School.

The Sisters continued to run the school until 1981 when the Rev. Mother Provincial decided that because of the changing role of the Sisters, the school should close. However, after intervention by the Parents’ Association and with the co-operation of the Superior General, the school was able to continue as an educational trust whose members form the governing body. The first lay headmistress was appointed in 1981.

In September 2009, the board of governors voted for the school to become a fully co-educational school. St Joseph's Convent School became St Joseph's College in September 2010 to reflect this change.

In 2018, to celebrate and to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the College and her legacy, four new houses were created: Dixon, Hummel, Jennings and Richardson.

Curriculum
From age 3, the curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, with specialist teaching in Music and PE. Curriculum throughout the Prep School is broad, with specialist teachers increasing as pupils move towards Year 6.

During Years 7 to 9, pupils study Mathematics, English, Modern and Classical Languages, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Design and Technology, Food and Information Technology, Music, Drama and Physical Education. Students also study electronics in the specially built lab. In Years 10 and 11 students are prepared for public GCSE examinations. They all study the core subjects of Mathematics, English, Science and Religious Studies, with up to four further subjects chosen. In the Sixth Form students may study up to four A Levels. The school hosts many music concerts and school plays. It is considered as a leader in Music and Dramatic Arts locally.

Notable former pupils

 * Marianne Faithfull, singer
 * Alma Cogan, singer
 * Sally Oldfield, musician
 * Anne Hardy, political activist and philanthropist.