Ready to delve into the story of Campion School? This Roman Catholic boys’ school has a rich history and a strong reputation. It stands as a testament to the power of faith and education.
Campion School was founded in September 1962. The Society of Jesus established it as a grammar school. It was meant for Roman Catholic boys aged 11 to 18. Father Swindells and Father Maher played crucial roles in its establishment. They were Rectors of Stamford Hill.
The first headmaster, Fr Michael Fox SJ, sadly passed away in the founding year. In 1965, the Diocese of Brentwood took over the school’s administration. Some original students came from St Ignatius’ College. Jesuit teachers were initially in the majority. They lived on-site in The Community House. This later became a Sixth Form Block.
Pupils mainly come from Catholic families. The school maintains a strong Catholic ethos. In the 1970s, girls from Ilford Ursuline School attended specific sixth form classes. These included Russian and Greek. The Sixth Form now admits girls, regardless of their faith. They must respect the school’s Catholic ethos.
Campion School converted to academy status in August 2011. It had been awarded Specialist Science College status before. Science remains a specialism. An Ofsted report in May 2012 rated the school as ‘Good’ in all categories.
Originally, the school had three forms. They were named after Fr Michael Fox SJ and Saints John Fisher and Thomas More. Boys belonged to a House. These were Gerard, Southwell, and Garnet. Ribbons denoted these houses on blazer pockets. Today, Campion School has five forms: Fisher, More, Fox, Garnet and Southwell.
Campion School boasts an outstanding sporting reputation. It is known both locally and nationally, especially for rugby. In 2001, the 1st XV won the Daily Mail Cup. They were the first comprehensive school to achieve this.
Several notable individuals attended Campion School. These include Lord Alton, a politician, and Ben Dirs, a sports journalist. David Cairns from Secret Affair and conductor Paul McCreesh also studied here. Rugby players Damian Cronin, Tony Diprose, John Green, John Rudd, Kevin Sorrell and Matt Garvey are former pupils. Footballers Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina also went to Campion School. Matt Rowe, songwriter and producer for the Spice Girls, is an alumnus. Even diplomat Denis Keefe and author Frank Key walked these halls.
Interestingly, the album cover for Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” features scarves from Campion School. Paul Simon stayed with the Brentwood family, whose sons attended the school.
Campion School’s motto is “Auctore Deo”. It means “The Enterprise is of God; it is begun, it cannot be withstood.” The school provides opportunities for students to excel. It focuses on intellect, imagination, emotions and conscience. Co-curricular activities are vital to this philosophy.
The school excels in sports and music. It also has a record in academic competitions. Students represent Campion School in various prestigious events. These include rugby fixtures, national athletics finals and music tours. The school’s choir performs at cathedrals and conferences.
Campion School has impressive sporting facilities. These include grass fields, an all-weather surface, a gymnasium and a swimming pool. The school offers many team sports. These include rugby, soccer, cross-country and athletics.
The Campion School continues to uphold its traditions and values. It prepares students for life beyond the classroom. The dedication of staff, parents and students ensures continued success.