Rooted in Love – Faith in Action – Learning to Thrive

At St Mary’s, our Catholic faith is not simply something we teach—it shapes who we are, how we treat one another and how we respond to the world around us.

Guided by the Gospel and inspired by Mary, our mission is lived throughout every part of school life. It can be seen in our relationships, prayer, curriculum, service, care for creation and commitment to the dignity of every person.

We are proud to be a Catholic school and warmly welcome children and families of all faiths and none. Everyone is invited to participate respectfully in the Catholic life of our school and share in our commitment to kindness, compassion, justice and the common good.

Our mission

At St Mary’s, we are a small school rooted in love, where every child is known, valued and cherished.

We create a safe and nurturing environment where every child feels listened to, respected and able to thrive.

Through high-quality teaching and meaningful learning experiences, we inspire a love of learning that stays with our pupils for life. We support each child to grow in confidence, develop resilience and achieve their full potential.

Guided by our Catholic faith and the example of Mary, we put our faith into action through kindness, service and compassion. We recognise that every child is made in the image of God, and we nurture their unique gifts, helping them to find their voice and make a positive difference in the world.

Our mission is expressed through three promises:

Rooted in Love

We believe that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. Every child is known, valued and cherished, and relationships are founded upon dignity, kindness, forgiveness and respect.

Faith in Action

We encourage children to understand that faith calls us to act. We use our voices, gifts and choices to serve others, stand up for justice, care for creation and contribute positively to our community.

Learning to Thrive

We have high expectations for every child. We help pupils develop knowledge, confidence, curiosity, resilience and independence so that they are prepared to embrace future opportunities and live life to the full.

Mary, our example

As St Mary’s, we look particularly to Mary as an example of faith, courage, humility and service.

Mary listened to God, trusted in him and had the courage to say “yes.” Her example encourages us to be open to God’s call, care for others and use our gifts with love and purpose.

Throughout the year, children learn about Mary through Scripture, prayer, worship and the liturgical calendar. We honour her through the Rosary, Marian prayers, feast days and our annual May celebrations.

Our school prayer asks Mary to guide us as we listen, learn and grow:

Dear God,
Thank you for our school,
a place full of kindness, care and love.
Help us to be safe,
to listen, learn and grow,
to be the best we can be.
Guided always by our Mother, Mary.
Amen.

Faith in action

Children are encouraged to recognise needs within their school, community and wider world and consider how they can respond.

Faith in action may include:

• Supporting local, national and international charities

• Raising awareness of injustice

• Caring for our environment

• Collecting food and essential items for people in need

• Fundraising

• Writing prayers, letters or messages of solidarity

• Welcoming and serving others

• Taking responsibility within school

• Using pupil voice to influence positive change

• Showing everyday acts of kindness, forgiveness and generosity

We help children understand that even small actions can make a meaningful difference.

Working with families

Parents and carers are the first educators of their children. We value their essential role and want families to feel welcome within the Catholic life of the school.

Families are invited to join us for Masses, prayer, celebrations, charitable activities and important moments in the Church’s year. We also share prayers, information and ideas that can help families continue conversations about faith and values at home.

Our commitment

We want every child who leaves St Mary’s to know that they are loved by God, that their life has meaning and that they possess gifts which can make the world a better place.

Through our Catholic life and mission, we seek to form children who are:

• Loving and compassionate

• Reflective and prayerful

• Courageous and resilient

• Respectful of others

• Committed to justice and peace

• Ready to serve

• Confident in using their voices

• Hopeful about their future

At St Mary’s, faith is something we learn, celebrate and live:

Rooted in Love – Faith in Action – Learning to Thrive.