Catholic identity, charism and mission

We develop our Catholic ethos by integrating our Catholic values and teaching into all aspects of school life.

Charism 

“Catholic charism” refers to the unique spiritual identity and mission that is inspired by the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. It encompasses the values, beliefs, and practices central to the Catholic faith, which are integrated into the school’s ethos and educational approach.

The Catholic charism at St Teresa's includes fostering a sense of community, promoting moral and ethical values, providing religious education, participating in prayer and worship and engaging in acts of service and social justice. It aims to nurture the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical development of pupils.

Our Catholic charism reflects the core principles of Catholicism and seeks to create an environment where pupils can grow in their faith, develop a strong moral compass, and live out the teachings of Jesus Christ.

We promote charism by integrating our Catholic values into all aspects of school life, providing opportunities for spiritual growth, and fostering a sense of community

Integration of Catholic Values

We infuse Catholic teachings and values throughout the curriculum, creating a learning environment that reflects the charism of the religious order or tradition. This includes incorporating prayer, sacraments, and religious education into daily school life. This is evident with our school dojos, showing our school values of love, respect, honesty, appreciation and trust. We also promote our school values in Achievement Assemblies please see our newsletters: Achievement Newsletters

Emphasis on Spiritual Formation 

We prioritise the spiritual formation of our pupils, providing opportunities for prayer, reflection, and participation in Catholic traditions. This helps our pupils develop a personal relationship with God and deepen their understanding of the charism.

Year 2 Month of Mary 

Role Models/Mentors

Our staff and Faith Ambassdors serve as role models and mentors for our pupils. The staff provide guidance and support in living out the values and teachings of the Catholic faith.

Miss Devery and the Faith Ambassdors leading a Celebration of the Word on the Call to Serve

Service and Social Justice:

We encourage our pupils to serve others and actively promote social justice. This aligns with the charism of many religious orders, which emphasises the importance of serving those in need. 

Mission Statement

At St Teresa’s we endeavour to help each child to develop spiritually, socially, aesthetically and academically; to make the school a place where children can learn to work and play together and accept responsibility for making choices whilst growing daily in the knowledge and love of God and the teaching of the Church: and in all things to give witness to Christ. At St Teresa’s we endeavour to help each child to develop spiritually, socially, aesthetically and academically; to make the school a place where children can learn to work and play together and accept responsibility for making choices whilst growing daily in the knowledge and love of God and the teaching of the Church: and in all things to give witness to Christ.

'Living, Learning, Growing in Jesus.’

 We want our pupils to:

• know our Catholic values;
• develop a personal relationship with God;
• equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute positively to society.
• Foster a sense of community;
• Promote social justice;
• Prepare to live their faith in the world.

We promote their mission by integrating Catholic teachings and values into all aspects of school life by:

Acts of Solidarity

Promoting Fair Trade (Year 5 Yellow Assembly) 

Harvest Assembly (Year 5 Blue)

Values

We live out our Mission Statement through our school values of love, appreciation, trust, honesty, respect.

Catholic Curriculum 

At St. Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to delivering a curriculum that is fully rooted in Catholic values and teachings. Our approach ensures that every pupil receives a comprehensive education that nurtures both academic excellence and spiritual growth.

Integration of Catholic Teachings Across the Curriculum
We embed Catholic beliefs and values throughout all areas of learning. Religious Education is a core subject, where pupils explore scripture, tradition, morality, and the sacraments in depth, guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church. Our skilled staff thoughtfully weave religious content and Catholic perspectives into lessons across the curriculum. See attached document. 

Daily Practice of Faith
Our Catholic identity is lived out daily through prayer, worship, and participation in religious traditions. Children and staff pray together, attend Mass, and celebrate feast days and key events in the Church’s calendar. These practices foster a strong sense of community and spiritual development.

Alignment with Diocesan and National Guidelines
We work closely with the Westminster Diocese to ensure our curriculum reflects official Catholic teaching and remains consistent with diocesan expectations. This collaboration helps us maintain high standards and fidelity to the Catholic faith across all aspects of school life.

Commitment to a Holistic Catholic Education
By integrating Catholic teachings into every subject and aspect of school life, and by embedding prayer and worship into our routines, we provide a holistic education. Our aim is to help every child grow in knowledge, faith, and love—preparing them to be compassionate, responsible, and faith-filled members of the wider community.

St. Teresa’s promotes the Catholic curriculum by ensuring that Catholic values permeate all learning, daily routines, and community life, in partnership with the Diocese and in alignment with the National Curriculum. This approach supports the spiritual, moral, and academic development of every pupil.