CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

At St Patrick’s, Catholic Social Teaching helps our children understand how we are called to live as followers of Jesus. It teaches them to love their neighbour, care for people in need, respect every person, look after God’s world and help make our school, parish and community a better place. 

Children learn about Catholic Social Teaching through RE, RHE, Prayer and Liturgy, assemblies and everyday school life. They do not just learn about these values - they are encouraged to live them out through kindness, pupil leadership, charity work, parish links, inclusion, community projects and care for creation.

Dignity of the Human Person

At St Patrick’s, children learn that every person is made and loved by God. From Reception onwards, pupils are taught that they are unique, special and precious, and that God loves every person. In RE, children learn that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God, which means that everyone has equal dignity and worth. 

We help children understand this through the way we celebrate every child’s gifts, talents and progress. We regularly share children’s achievements, whether that is fantastic writing, improved attendance, resilience in maths, beautiful singing, acts of kindness or simply a child being proud of something they have worked hard on.

This is also seen in our inclusive provision. Our Willows and Meadows groups, our SEN work and our Autism Support Group help children and families feel supported and valued. The Autism Support Group has organised events, trips and activities for families, including summer activities and fundraising to support days out for children.

Children also learn about dignity through visitors and real-life experiences. For example, Key Stage 2 welcomed Rebecca from Cumbria Deaf Association and her interpreter, Shelley. Rebecca shared her experience of being profoundly deaf, explained how she adapts in everyday life and taught the children some British Sign Language. This helped pupils ask thoughtful questions and better understand what life can be like for others.

Family and Community

At St Patrick’s, we want every child and family to feel that they belong. Children learn that they are part of many families: their home family, their school family, their parish family and God’s family. Through RE, they learn about belonging through Baptism, the Church, parish life, the Eucharist and the wider family of God. 

Our RHE curriculum also supports this. Life to the Full is built around the themes Created and Loved by God, Created to Love Others and Created to Live in Community. This helps children learn about families, friendships, relationships, care, safety and how to live well with others.

This sense of family is lived out in many ways at St Patrick’s. We celebrate children’s journeys through school, especially at important moments such as Reception transition, leavers’ celebrations, school Masses, Sports Day, Summer Fete and end-of-year events. Our Year 6 leavers are reminded that they will always be part of the St Patrick’s family, and we celebrate the kindness, care and friendship they have shown during their time with us.

We also welcome parents, grandparents and community members into school life. For example, Reception children invited grandparents into school to help them learn more about church and what it means to be a friend of Jesus. The children asked questions, listened carefully and learned from members of their own family and faith community.

The Common Good

The common good means thinking about what helps everyone, not just ourselves. At St Patrick’s, children learn that their choices and actions can make school, our parish and the wider community better for others. In RE, pupils explore Catholic Social Teaching, the common good, justice, community and service. They learn that loving our neighbour helps communities to flourish. 

A strong example of this is our Blue Influencers project. Our pupils worked with Geoff Norman from CDEC and developed their confidence, skills and friendships through outdoor learning and environmental action. They then invited families, friends and community members to our Nature School area, where visitors could enjoy pond dipping, bug catching, gardening, fire lighting, popcorn and s’more making, woodland exploration, nature journaling and crafts.

The children also asked the community to help spread the word to groups who may benefit from using the space, including schools, nurseries, youth groups, wellbeing groups, local charities and residents. This showed children that the gifts we have as a school can be shared for the good of others.

Our Mini Police are another example of children working for the common good. They have helped to build positive relationships between school, families and the local police, and the school was recognised as Cumbria Mini Police School of the Year. Feedback from the police praised the children’s initiative and the way they helped restart positive engagement within the local community.

Rights and Responsibilities

At St Patrick’s, children learn that everyone has rights, but that we also have responsibilities. They learn that our choices matter and that we should use our words and actions to keep ourselves and others safe. In RE, pupils explore the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ teaching about loving God and loving our neighbour, learning that freedom brings responsibility and that God’s law supports justice, faithfulness and community. 

Through RHE, children learn about healthy relationships, online safety, asking for help, keeping safe, personal boundaries, physical contact, secrets, harmful substances and who they can speak to if they are worried.

This is lived out through pupil leadership. Our Mini Police have led assemblies on road safety and firework safety, helping other children understand how to make safe and responsible choices.

Children also learn about democracy and responsibility through voting and pupil voice. For example, our Mini Vinnies led a wellbeing ballot during Children’s Mental Health Week. Children voted for a wellbeing activity to help everyone feel a sense of belonging, and Random Acts of Kindness was chosen. Pupils were then nominated to carry out kind actions for others in school and at home.

Preferential Option for the Poor

At St Patrick’s, children learn that Jesus asks us to give special care to those who are poor, vulnerable, lonely or in need. Through Prayer and Liturgy, pupils learn about World Day of the Poor, Mission Month, Mary’s Meals and other charities that support people locally and across the world. 

We help children understand that charity is not just about giving money. It is about noticing others, praying for them, standing beside them and responding with love. Our Mini Vinnies help lead this work across school, encouraging children to think about how small actions can make a real difference.

Examples include our Mary’s Meals fundraising, where children were encouraged to complete small helpful jobs at home to earn £1 to donate to the charity. This helped pupils understand that their own actions could help provide meals for some of the world’s hungriest children.

Children also supported Aid to the Church in Need through the Maisy Milk Rosary for Peace. They learned about Christians around the world who need help, hope and prayer, created rosary bead designs, prayed for peace and raised £85 to support the charity.

Our school community also supports families locally. For example, our uniform donation work gives families the opportunity to donate unwanted children’s clothing, helping others while also reducing waste.

Solidarity

Solidarity means standing together as one human family. At St Patrick’s, children learn that we are connected to others locally, nationally and globally, and that we are called to show empathy, respect and love. Through assemblies and Prayer and Liturgy, pupils reflect on peace, racial justice, Mission Month, interfaith understanding and how people can work together for justice and peace. 

This is lived out through the friendships and links we build with others. Children have enjoyed visits from Tanzanian students and leaders through the Cumbria-Rungwe Community Link. They learned about students’ lives in Tanzania and shared singing, dancing and celebration together.

Solidarity is also seen in our care for older members of the community. Our Mini Police visited Stafford Court to play games with residents, including dominoes, bingo and Connect Four. Our school choir also prepared to visit Stafford Court and Wyndham Manor at Christmas time, sharing music and joy with others.

We also teach children that communication and inclusion help people feel connected. Across school, pupils have learned Makaton, performed songs with Makaton signs and used signing as part of World Music Day and our Year 6 goodbye song.

Stewardship and Care for Creation

At St Patrick’s, children learn that the world is God’s gift and that we have a responsibility to care for it. In RE, pupils learn about Creation, Laudato Si’, stewardship, gratitude and responsibility. They learn that caring for God’s world is one way of loving God and loving our neighbour. 

This begins in the earliest years, where children explore creation, wonder, beauty and thankfulness. As they move through school, pupils learn more about practical ways to care for God’s world, including reducing waste, saving water, protecting living things and making responsible choices.

We live this out through our Nature School, Blue Influencers, gardening, outdoor learning and care for our school grounds. Children take part in pond dipping, bug hunting, gardening, woodland exploration, nature journaling and crafts. Our Blue Influencers proudly shared this work with the wider community through their Nature School event.

Children also experience regular Nature School sessions. Year 1 enjoyed weekly sessions with Mrs Lewthwaite, Mrs Tunstall and Myla, including singing around the campfire, using the hammock, making crafts and enjoying time outdoors. Older children have supported younger children in Nature School, helping them solve clues, learn about native animals, sketch wildlife and spend time together around the campfire.

Through these experiences, children learn that caring for creation is not only about the environment. It is about gratitude, responsibility, community and protecting our common home for everyone.