Catholic Life and Mission
There has been a Catholic school on the site of St. Francis Xavier Sixth Form College since 1897. The Xaverian Brothers, also known as Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier, decided to open Clapham College as part of their dedication to Catholic education. Clapham College became St. Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College in 1985.
The Chapel
We have a beautiful Chapel situated in Xavier Wing, which has been a place of prayer and worship for over 125 years. The Chapel affords an opportunity for all members of the college community to find some peace and space for reflection. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Chapel which designates this a particularly sacred space. A lunchtime Mass is held once a month for those who wish to attend, and additional services take place at key times in the academic and liturgical year.
Catholic Life at St Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College
Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College is an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic faith with Christ at its centre. Our aim is to provide a broad curriculum which emphasises the pursuit of excellence and focuses on career preparation, leadership and service to others. We are committed to preparing the whole person to lead a life of purpose and success in a just and sustainable world.
The Chaplaincy is an integral part of College life, serving the whole college community. The Chaplaincy promotes the belief that all are made in the image and likeness of God, aims to foster a sense of responsibility for oneself and others, and encourages a deepening and maturing of faith, so as to equip our students to face, with faith, the challenges and joys of life. The Chaplain provides our community with various opportunities to explore and deepen spiritual beliefs through prayer services, times of reflection, and retreats. The Chaplain also manages The Chaplaincy Base, a welcoming social space open to every member of the college community. The Chaplaincy Base provides a safe space in which students can meet together, play games, and discuss and debate issues that affect them. There is only one entry requirement; that all feel accepted, valued, and respected.
In accordance with St. Francis Xavier’s Gospel values, the Chaplaincy reinforces the Christian instruction to accompany faith with works of justice and mercy. This is supported through facilitation of College-wide charitable works and awareness events which uphold our Catholic ethos. Working alongside the College pastoral team, our Chaplain also helps to support individuals coping with the stresses of daily life and those faced with particular challenges such as bereavement, ill health and loss.
In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued the first encyclical on Catholic Social Teaching. It is called Rerum Novarum (Of New Things). This came about due to the new conditions and situations experienced by people after the Industrial Revolution. Since 1891, Rerum Novarum has been updated and nuanced seven times. There are seven principles to Catholic Social Teaching and we endeavour to respond to each principal throughout the curriculum and in the day to day actions within the college. Each department has highlighted where they deliver Catholic Social Teaching in their curriculum and students embrace their responsibilities through charitable and awareness campaigns.
We are proud of our inclusiveness and welcoming environment in line with gospel values. Each classroom features a Romero cross and a magnificent mural featuring St Francis Xavier dominates the reception area. The college ensures that our students have opportunities to attend diocesan events and liturgies and each week all parents receive a reflection of the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel. We are especially proud of parental engagement in our advent and end of year Novenas. Our staff, including our new staff and ECTs, receive training in what it means to work in a Catholic College and are updated regularly in full staff meetings on Catholic Life and Mission.
Chaplaincy Newsletter
Core Religion and Philosophy
Rooted in our identity as a Catholic Sixth Form College, core RE is a required subject for every student which we deliver through our Religion and Philosophy programme. This weekly session is central to our college ethos and mission, providing a dedicated space where the dignity of the human person is both celebrated and explored with our students through developing the essential skills of listening to others, critical thinking, and exploring their own opinions.
Our bespoke Religion and Philosophy programme focuses on an engaging variety of issues such as social justice, science, faith, and personal relationships, which are explored in such a way as to develop the whole person in accordance with the Catholic Social Teachings (find out more about these in our college ‘Catholic Ethos Booklet’). Students are challenged to engage deeply with the ‘big questions’ of existence, examining how Gospel values, ethical frameworks, and other faiths and worldviews inform contemporary issues in modern society, to help prepare them for the demands of life after college.
All Level 3 students at St Francis Xavier work towards the NOCN awards in General Religious Education and will achieve at least two additional qualifications during their time with us.
Prayer and Liturgy
Mass is held monthly and students can attend and participate in the liturgy. Each day, morning prayer takes place in the chapel and an online reflection is shared before the 11.00am break. Each tutorial features a gospel reflection and each tutor group contributes to a House Service celebrating their distinctive nature. There are opportunities for those who have not received the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation to do so. They can join a programme of formation in preparation for the sacraments and we facilitate the sacrament of reconciliation. We are proud of the number of students who have taken up this opportunity and the parental engagement with that.
We have an annual carol service for students and staff led by our college choir as well as end of year services to celebrate achievement and participation. Every year our students are given the opportunity to attend a retreat at Kintbury. The college supports this opportunity financially to ensure any student can attend. We are incredibly grateful to our local parish, Holy Ghost, Fr Richard and Fr Ariel, for their continued support of the college.
What does it mean to teach at a Catholic College?
We have produced a Catholic Ethos booklet which explains our mission, values and ethos. The booklet is available for all staff.
Courses
Students can take any combination of 30 A level and Level 3 Applied Diploma subjects. Vocational programmes include 11 Level 3 Extended Diplomas, including BTEC, CTEC and University of the Arts courses, and 4 T Levels. We also offer BTEC Level 2 and Foundation options, along with GCSE Maths and English language retakes.
Students
At Saint Francis Xavier, we develop the whole person. Our commitment goes beyond academic achievement; we equip students with the confidence, values, and skills needed to thrive in higher education, employment, and adult life. With an extensive range of courses, our students receive expert teaching in our modern, state-of-the-art facilities.
Parents & Carers
Personal Tutors will work with both you and your student to overcome any obstacles and achieve their potential. We build a positive ethos around learning and behaviour, support students with discussion and advice, invite you to progress review evenings, provide each student with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), and send you full reports.
Upcoming Events
Open Evening
Wednesday, 4th March · 4pm – 6pm
Explore your options and secure your offer from Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College for September 2026.
Book your place to visit London’s top performing and friendliest sixth form college with a 97% pass rate in A levels, BTECs, UAL Diplomas and T Levels.
Hire Our Spaces
Hold your next event with us in one of our many available spaces. Choose from: a multi-use games area, sports hall, dining hall and garden, multi-purpose hall, dance/drama studio, fitness suite, meeting/conference rooms, computer suite, chapel and music studio. Kitchen and catering facilities and free parking are also available.
Nursery
‘Happy staff make happy children’
Nightingale’s Nursery is set in the beautiful, secure grounds of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College where children can play outside and help tend the vegetable patch. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and provides a holistic learning environment, paying special attention to the transition from home to nursery, reassuring parents of their child’s wellbeing and progress on a daily basis.
Nightingale’s friendly team builds positive relationships with all the children and parents.
Latest News & Blog
Record‑Breaking University Applications at SFX
We’re thrilled to announce that almost 90% of our Year 13 students submitted their university applications ahead of last week’s UCAS deadline – the highest completion rate in our history. Even more impressively: 📈 78% of applications were to Top Third universities 📈 55% were to Russell Group institutions – a 6% increase on 2025 […]
Students Celebrated at the Essential 8 Awards
During the final week of term, students’ achievements were recognised at Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College’s Essential 8 Awards, a celebration of the skills and qualities that underpin success both during college life and beyond. Students were nominated by their teachers and Heads of House for demonstrating aptitude in one or more of the […]
Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College announces excellent 2025 Level 3 examination results
We congratulate all our students who received their excellent public examination results today. We are delighted to see results improving on last year’s impressive pass rates across A level, BTEC, CTEC and UAL courses. Our second year T Level results have also been excellent. The overall pass rate at Level 3 was 97%, including 50% […]