Salesian School is a thriving and active school with a long and well-established reputation. We are a Catholic co-educational comprehensive school meeting the needs of children of all abilities from 11-18 years. We teach over 1400 students, including around 300 in our Sixth Form, which is on a separate site. In September 2016, we became an academy, part of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust. Salesian School is characterised by the philosophy of the Salesian founder, St John Bosco (1815-1888). He stressed high educational standards and sound moral and religious education. He insisted too on a friendly atmosphere in his schools where the idea of community could be fostered. Our motto - 'Enlightening minds, uplifting hearts' - is taken from the writings of Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesians. He wrote that education should marry intellectual learning with moral and spiritual improvement. He also set great store by play and happiness. We strive to ensure that every student personally experiences a happy atmosphere that will help them to leave the school with a high level of confidence in their own abilities, as well as excellent examination results. These goals are delivered through a strong pastoral system, excellent learning and teaching and an extensive range of sporting, cultural, physical and social extra-curricular activities. Our dedication to first class teaching and learning has led to significant new developments this year. We have completed our new specialist centre for students with autism, and we are now a teaching school, leading the Salesian Teaching School Alliance for the benefit of students and teachers across the South East.