St Mary's Catholic Primary School

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, our vision is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lived out each day through prayer, love, and service in close partnership with St Mary’s Parish. Our Catholic Life and Mission are at the heart of all that we do and shape every aspect of school life. We believe that every child is a unique gift from God, created in His image, and called to grow in dignity, faith, and hope. Because of this, the formation of every child is not an add on but the very purpose of our work. From the moment pupils join us in Reception, we place Christ at the centre of learning, relationships, and decision making. We seek to create a Christ centred and nurturing environment in which every child is known, safe, loved, and supported to flourish academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Serving a community that faces social and economic challenges, we aim to be a visible sign of hope, stability, and compassion. Guided by Gospel values and Catholic Social Teaching, we promote inclusion, justice, and respect so that all may reach their God given potential.

Early Formation: Reception to Year 2, Building Foundations for Faith and Belonging

In the earliest years, children encounter school as a loving family where kindness, fairness, and respect are embedded in daily routines. Here the vision becomes tangible. Pupils learn that they are valued and that they belong. Prayer and worship are simple, joyful, and accessible, helping children to experience God’s presence in quiet and in celebration. They learn to handle sacred objects reverently, choose symbols for prayer tables, and join in familiar prayers with growing confidence. Scripture is shared through story, song, drama, and reflection so that children can wonder, ask questions, and make meaning. Early opportunities for service, such as supporting the parish foodbank or making cards for the elderly, teach that small acts can reveal God’s love. These experiences plant the seeds of faith, identity, and belonging that continue to grow as children move through the school.

Developing Formation: Years 3 and 4, Growth in Understanding, Confidence, and Responsibility

As pupils enter Key Stage 2, their formation deepens in line with our commitment to develop confident, thoughtful, and responsible young people. They begin to see themselves as active contributors to the life of a Catholic community. Worship becomes more participatory as pupils help to plan class prayer, read Scripture in assemblies, and support younger children in learning new prayers. Religious Education becomes richer and more intellectually engaging. Pupils are encouraged to ask deeper questions, make connections between faith, Scripture, and Church tradition, and relate these to their own lives. Creativity through art, music, drama, and reflective writing helps pupils internalise meaning and articulate their thoughts about God, morality, and purpose with clarity and respect. Leadership in Catholic Life begins to take shape through roles such as Faith Council members, Mini Vinnies, and social action helpers. These experiences foster empathy, service, and a developing grasp of Catholic Social Teaching. Pupils come to understand that faith is not only personal but lived in the way we treat others and care for the world.

Maturing Formation: Years 5 and 6, Leadership, Discernment, and Deepening Faith

In the upper years, formation becomes both challenging and empowering. Pupils take on significant leadership roles across the school, planning and leading liturgies, presenting Gospel assemblies, coordinating charitable projects, and mentoring younger Faith Council members. By Year 6, many pupils take full responsibility for preparing worship spaces, selecting Scripture, writing intercessions, and leading collective worship with reverence and confidence. Their study of Religious Education grows more analytical and theologically aware as they engage with complex questions about morality, justice, prayer, and discipleship. Children of other faiths contribute meaningfully to discussion, enriching dialogue and modelling respectful engagement with difference. Pupils regularly serve as ambassadors for the Catholic mission of the school at parish Masses, diocesan events, community visits, and joint chaplaincy gatherings. Through these experiences, they learn the meaning of witness, leadership, and service and understand that discipleship is lived in word and deed.

Leadership, Teaching, and Worship Working Together for Formation

Formation at St Mary’s is intentional and holistic. Leaders, governors, teachers, and chaplaincy staff work together so that our Catholic identity permeates every aspect of school life. Leadership at all levels is rooted in service and guided by faith. Relationships are built on respect, compassion, and integrity. Staff receive continuing formation so that they can lead prayer with confidence, teach Religious Education with theological accuracy, and support the spiritual development of pupils. Teaching across the curriculum reflects a Catholic understanding of the dignity of the human person and promotes curiosity, critical thinking, and moral discernment. Children learn that faith and reason complement each other and that God can be encountered in creativity, inquiry, relationships, and acts of service, not only in formal moments of prayer.

Collective worship is the heartbeat of the school. It marks the rhythm of the liturgical year, offers moments of joy and silence, and creates regular opportunities for pupils to encounter God in ways that are meaningful for their age. Strong links with parish liturgy and sacramental life help children to recognise that faith is lived beyond the classroom and within the wider Church community. Pupils are encouraged and supported to take an active role in leading prayer and liturgy, so that they grow from participating to leading, from observing to shaping, from receiving to giving.

Beyond the Classroom: Service, Community, and Partnership

Formation extends into service, community engagement, and family partnership. Through charity, outreach, projects in Catholic Social Teaching, and environmental stewardship, pupils learn that they are part of something larger than themselves and that the Gospel calls them to action. The partnership of home, school, and parish is central to our vision. We work closely with parents, carers, our parish priest, parishioners, and the wider community to support the faith formation, wellbeing, and personal development of every child. These strong relationships create a shared sense of responsibility and belonging and ensure continuity of faith experience across home, school, and parish. In serving a community that experiences deprivation, we aim to be a sign of hope and stability and a place where every child can flourish.

The Child Who Leaves St Mary’s: Formed in Faith, Character, and Purpose

By the time pupils leave St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, they know that they are loved by God and that they belong to a caring school and parish family. They understand who they are, what they believe, and the values that guide them. They can think critically, ask meaningful questions, and articulate their faith with confidence and respect. They know how to pray, reflect, lead, and serve. They are committed to justice, kindness, and stewardship and recognise the importance of community and the responsibility to use their gifts for the good of others. Most importantly, they are ready to live out the Gospel in daily life with faith, compassion, and purpose. Their formation equips them not only for the next stage of education but for a life shaped by love of God and neighbour.