Ignatian exercises in Essex

At a time when single-sex, faith-based education is under threat from intrusive government policies and aggressive secularism, The Campion School’s proud history of educating boys in the Catholic faith, instilling a strong sense of moral purpose and responsibility, is both refreshing and inspiring.

The school, in Hornchurch, Essex, was established in 1962 by the Society of Jesus in response to the 1944 Education Act, which introduced free and compulsory education for all children in England and Wales up to the age of 15. However, it was soon handed over to lay leadership, and by the late 1980s, it no longer had a Jesuit priest on its staff.

Catholic life has always been central to Campion, but in recent years there has been a conscious effort to celebrate the school’s Jesuit spirituality more explicitly. “It is less about making significant changes to what we do,” the lay chaplain, Harry Rawcliffe, tells me, “but rather looking at our faith life and saying, ‘Yes, that is Jesuit.’”

That said, some noticeable Ignatian practices have been introduced in recent years. One great success has been the introduction of the Daily Examen – a reflective prayer practice focused on the events of the day – for all pupils after lunch.

A board at the school’s entrance lists the names of former students who have been ordained to the priesthood – currently numbering nine. “Number ten is, God willing, due to be ordained for Brentwood in a year or two,” Rawcliffe tells me, proudly,

One of the school’s proudest traditions is the annual celebration of Campion Day on 1 December, the anniversary of St Edmund Campion’s martyrdom. After a whole-school Mass, students, staff members, local priests and a strong cohort of former pupils brave the cold for a cross-country run. Headteacher Paul Larner, himself an alumnus, notes that most Campion students, past and present, can recall where they finished in their first Campion Day race (he came 19th).

The school boasts an impressive tradition in rugby. Every boy plays, starting in Year 7, with the vast majority representing the school at some point. Campion remains the only non-selective state school to win the prestigious Daily Mail Trophy (2001), an impressive feat considering other former cup holders such as Dulwich College and Warwick School are able to lure gifted players with scholarships.

While many independent schools are scaling back their Saturday offerings, Campion proudly continues Saturday morning rugby training for all students during the season. Since 1982, the school has embarked on international rugby tours, which always start with the school hosting a farewell Mass. Tours have been as far reaching as New Zealand and Australia, and Campion remains the only UK school to have toured the Solomon Islands for rugby.

The behaviour policy, at a time when masculinity is often denigrated, aims to teach the boys to act with character and respect, “Men in the service of others”, as Rawcliffe puts it. Larner notes that, especially for boys, a sense of justice is essential. He believes that addressing small infractions helps students get the bigger things right. One standout feature is the students’ smart appearance. Larner explains: “We uphold standards in aspects of the uniform, setting an example for incoming students. It’s a strong culture that has endured over time.”

The success of the school’s behaviour policy is evident in the large number of girls who join the sixth form – 140 in the current cohort. Larner believes this integration strikes a balance between single-sex and co-educational environments at the most appropriate stage of students’ development.

When asked how he measures the school’s success, Larner identifies two key indicators. The first is at attendance, with Campion achieving an impressive 96.6 per cent, placing it in the top ten per cent of schools nationally. “If students want to be in school, it’s a sign they are happy and engaged with their education,” he says.

The second is the visible expression of Catholic life: the increasing number of students being confirmed, serving at the altars of local parishes, or working at Walsingham House – the diocesan retreat centre – are clear metrics of success.

When I ask Larner and Rawcliffe what their plans are for the school’s future, both are ambitious. Larner plans to extend the enriching but ephemeral experience of being at Campion beyond students’ time at the school through a robust alumni network. The Campion Association will create professional networking opportunities, but also be a means of support that draws people into a community, especially at times of difficulty.

Rawcliffe’s focus is on the school’s chapel, which he notes is beautiful but currently detached from the main building. He envisions an extension that connects the chapel to the school, symbolising its central role in the life of the community and giving students unfettered access to a prayerful environment. The project will cost £50,000, which must be raised independently of government funding. Herald readers moved to support this endeavour are encouraged to contact the school directly.

Photo: Image from Campion School website

This article appeared in the February edition of the Catholic Herald. To subscribe to our award-winning, thought-provoking magazine and have independent, high-calibre, counter-cultural and orthodox Catholic journalism delivered to your door anywhere in the world click HERE.

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