Aims and Ethos

Every child, parent, governor and member of the school community is unique in self, and unique in the qualities they have to offer. All aspects of our warm and welcoming school: the relationships, the curriculum, the policies, the aims and objectives, the pastoral care and guidance have the potential to speak of God's presence in our lives, helping us to unlock our potential. The purpose of a Catholic school is to jointly ‘hand on the faith' in partnership with home and parish. The faith journey is begun at home, and our aim is to support each child in their journey of faith and spirituality, working alongside parents, the first educators of the children. We welcome, and are inclusive of, families of all faiths and no faith, and our Catholic faith is strengthened by the understanding and respect of the other faiths and cultures represented at our school. We value the importance of the spiritual journey made by all pupils, staff, parents, parishioners, governors and our parish priest, with the school acting as a cornerstone.

Our Aims

To ensure that each child feels happy, safe, valued and loved.
To provide an exciting, fun and enjoyable educational experience for each child and promote a life-long love of learning
To inspire our pupils to aim high, reach for the stars, be the best they can be and make the most of every opportunity that is given to them.
To ensure that each child meets their God-given potential and is nurtured academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally.
To encourage each member of the school community to live their life in accordance with gospel values and to make a positive contribution to British society, respecting and understanding our neighbours in our community.
To make prayer, worship and liturgy relevant and meaningful for each individual and to provide a learning environment that will enhance the development of faith and spirituality of everyone in the school community.
To work in partnership with parents, the parish, the community and other local schools, in order to provide a wide range of supportive interactions for our pupils.

To have lots of fun, make magical memories and share smiles every day!

We desire to follow the teachings of the Gospel revealed through the Church and look to scripture for revelation from God which will guide us in the way he wants us to live. In the Gospels and our Church tradition, we find the person of Jesus, through his teachings and interactions with people, showing us the way to live our lives. The Beatitudes (Matthew 5) encapsulate the values we want to live by and that we would want to nurture and develop in the children in our care:

Faithfulness & Integrity, Dignity & Compassion, Humility & Gentleness,

Truth & Justice, Forgiveness & Mercy, Purity & Holiness,

Tolerance & Peace and Service & Sacrifice.

We recognise the importance of worship, whether this is done together in Mass or liturgies, or alone in quiet reflection. We provide opportunities for parents to join us in our worship through 'Stay and Play' sessions. We recognise that parents are a child’s first educators; we wish to support parents, and be supported by them, in ensuring all pupils achieve their potential and make the most of their God-given gifts. These are celebrated in our 'Celebration of Talents' assembly on Fridays. Our pupils take a lead role in planning and delivering worship activities across the school, in a range of different prayer spaces.

We also believe in the importance of developing a virtuous life and each half term we focus on a Catholic Social Teaching theme:

What is Catholic Social Teaching?

Catholic Social Teaching is an aspect of the life and the thinking of the Catholic Church. It concerns what the Church has to say about social issues and the way in which Catholic faith should be lived out within society.

These teachings are rooted in Scripture and especially in the teachings of Jesus found in the Gospels. They are also based on various Papal statements and Encyclicals which have been published over the years which speak out about many different social issues and to encourage members of the Church to be an active force for good within their local communities as well as on a wider, global basis.

At the core of Catholic Social Teaching are a number of key concepts and principles. These principles underpin all we do at St John the Baptist RC Primary. Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God.

Dignity of the Human Person

We are beautifully made in the image and likeness of God. God made each person, so every life is important and should be protected.

Saint: St. Maximillian Kolbe

Care for the Common Good/Family and Community

God made us to be part of communities, families and countries, so all people can share and help each other. We are called to work for the good of each and of all.

Saint: The Holy Family

Rights and Responsibilities/Participation

God wants us to help make sure everyone is safe and healthy and can have a good life. We all have the right and duty to participate fully in society.

Saint: St. Vincent de Paul

Dignity of Work/Distributive Justice

Work is important in God’s plan for adults and their families, so jobs and pay should be fair and everyone should have access to their fair share of resources.

Saint: St. Joseph the Worker

Solidarity

God made everyone, so we are all brothers and sisters in God’s family wherever we live. God created us as one global family called to support our brothers and sisters.

Saint: St. Therese of Lisieux

Stewardship

The world was made by God, so we take care of all creation. We are guardians of God’s creation, living sustainably and enhancing the wellbeing of our planet.

Saint: St. Francis of Assisi

Option for the Poor

God wants us to help people who are poor, who don’t have enough food, a safe place to live, or a community. The needs of the poor and vulnerable should be put first.

Saint: St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta