Catholic Life and Mission

Our Mission Statement is to 'Aspire not to have more but to be more' Is a clear expression of our mission to develop a Christian community where children aspire to be the best that they can be and fulfil God's work on earth. As a result, our mission statement has a significant impact in all aspects of life within our schools.

Christ at the centre of all we do

At St Mary’s Primary Schools Trust, Catholic Life and Mission is not an additional feature of school life, it is its foundation. It shapes our decisions, our relationships and the way we live and learn together as a faith-filled community.

Inspired by Christ’s Gospel, we strive to ensure that every child experiences a school environment rooted in love, dignity, forgiveness and service.

A living and active faith community

Catholic Life is visible and actively experienced throughout the school. Pupils and staff recognise that they are part of a shared mission to live out Gospel values in daily life.

Faith is expressed through prayer, worship, reflection and action. Pupils are encouraged to understand that their beliefs are not only taught but lived in their interactions, behaviour and service to others.

Pupils at the heart of mission

Pupils play an active role in shaping the Catholic Life of the school. They are encouraged to reflect on Gospel values and apply them in practical ways within school life.

They take responsibility for living out the school’s mission, contributing to a culture where kindness, respect and compassion are consistently demonstrated.

Pupil voice is valued and used to shape aspects of worship, charitable action and community life.

Faith in action through service

Catholic Life is strengthened through a clear commitment to service and social responsibility. Pupils are given opportunities to support others locally and globally, developing a strong sense of justice and compassion.

Through charitable work and lived experiences of service, pupils begin to understand their role in building a fairer and more caring world.

We encourage our children to care for God’s world and its people by developing empathy, sympathy and a desire to live out their faith through charitable works. Inspired by Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home, we help our pupils understand the importance of looking after creation and showing love and respect for all members of our global family.

A strong sense of belonging and community

St Mary’s is a welcoming and inclusive Catholic community where every child is valued and known.

Strong relationships between home, school and parish support pupils in developing a secure understanding of their faith. Parents are actively involved in the Catholic life of the school through liturgies, celebrations, shared worship experiences and charity events.

Formation of the whole child

Catholic Life at St Mary’s contributes to the spiritual, moral, social and emotional development of every pupil. It helps children to reflect on their actions, develop empathy and grow in understanding of themselves and others.

Pupils are supported to recognise their God-given talents and to use them for the good of others, both within school and beyond.

“What Would Jesus Do?”

At the heart of our Catholic Life and Mission is a simple but powerful question:
“What would Jesus do?”

We encourage all members of our school community, children and staff alike, to use this question as a guide in their daily actions, decisions and relationships with others. It reminds us to live as Jesus taught us: with love, compassion, forgiveness, honesty and kindness.

This shared vision helps us to build a school community rooted in Gospel values where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Whether in the classroom, on the playground or within the wider community, we strive to follow the example of Christ in all that we do.

All staff at the Junior Scholl wear a “What Would Jesus Do?” badge as a visible reminder of our commitment to living out our faith each day. These badges also encourage meaningful conversations with the children and help reinforce our shared responsibility to model Christ’s behaviour in every aspect of school life.

Through prayer, reflection and daily actions, we aim to ensure that our Catholic faith is not simply taught but truly lived.

How Catholic Life and Mission is lived day to day

Pupils and staff begin and end each day with prayer, ensuring faith frames the rhythm of school life.
Each classroom has a dedicated prayer focus area that is used daily for collective and personal prayer.
The Infant school has a dedicated chapel for children to use throughout the day for prayer and reflection.
Gospel Values are explicitly taught and revisited weekly, with pupils reflecting on how they will live them out in practice.
Pupils are regularly given opportunities to lead or contribute to prayer and reflection within their classes.
Prayer and worship are embedded across the curriculum, not limited to RE lessons.
Staff model Gospel values consistently in their relationships, behaviour and interactions with pupils.
Calm, respectful and prayerful routines are established across the school, supporting a strong sense of reverence.
Pupils are encouraged to recognise and respond to moments of need, kindness and service within the school community.
Whole-school charitable initiatives are supported through pupil-led actions and reflection on social justice.
Seasonal and liturgical celebrations are marked together as a school community, reinforcing shared identity and belonging.
Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their behaviour in light of the school’s mission and Gospel teaching.
Faith language is used naturally across school life, helping pupils to articulate beliefs and values confidently.
Staff and pupils work together to maintain a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment where all are valued.
Strong links with the parish support pupils in understanding that school life is part of a wider faith community.
Pupils are encouraged to see themselves as active contributors to a more loving and just world through their actions each day.