Catholic Social Teaching across the school
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is embedded and referred to within our whole school curriculum. In lessons, our children are able to draw links between the themes that they are studying and how they link to CST keys and ‘faith in action’.
Human Dignity | Each of us is made in God's image. Each person has an innate human dignity no one can take away. Our common humanity requires that we respect and uphold the dignity of each human being. Everything else flows from this dignity.
'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you' Jeremiah 1:5
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| RE | Students learn about Catholic faith through topics including Creation, CST, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter which promotes the wonder of God’s creation and the importance of life. E.g. Year 2 The curriculum explores God as the creator and how He works through His people to protect His creation, Year 4: The focus is on being made in the image and likeness of God, emphasizing respect for all similarities and differences. |
| English | All pupils study a range of books which cover central characters with their own traits and qualities given by God, e.g. Lower Juniors study Tar Beach which looks at Cassie and her dreams and how they are impacted by her own circumstances. |
| Maths | When students work together, they learn to respect one another’s ideas and perspectives. This respect aligns with the recognition of human dignity in Catholic social teaching. We look at problem solving and looking at challenging reasoning which have mathematical solutions. We recognise that the person and their explanations matter as much as the solution. |
| Science | Science lessons incorporate foci on topics which include a respect for nature and the world around us, how we look after God's creations including monitoring our own health and well being and issues surrounding social justice and equality. |
| Art/DT | Our art and DT lessons celebrate individual expression and creativity, mirroring the Catholic belief that every individual has inherent worth and dignity, regardless of factors. We are also able to reflect different human conditions and experiences and celebrate the work of all our students; recognising them as individuals. |
| Humanities | In humanities, through the diverse topics we cover (e.g. how lives have changed, why do oceans matter?, how was school different in the past), we are able to look at past cultures and individuals. We recognise the importance of dignity of all people, regardless of backgrounds. We also explore different societies the communities and how unique and special each person within them is. |
| PSHE | PSHE clearly reflects human dignity in all lessons. We recognise the importance of human interaction and the worth of each individual. Our TensTens scheme recognises that life and relationships are gifts from God and every person is made in the image of God. |
| Computing | During computing with I-learn, we are able to address human dignity themes including online cyber bulling and e-safety, making technology available to all and working as part of a team, whereby we respect the opinions of others. |
| PE | At St Mary's, human dignity is promoted in all PE lessons. We recognise the skills and values of each individual and their abilities. We promote physical and mental well being in line with celebrating our bodies and minds and appreciating their sacredness. We also provide equal opportunities for all with regards to competitions. |
| Common Good | The common good is about respecting the rights and responsibilities of all people and leaving no one behind. Our actions have an impact on everyone. When we make decisions, we should consider the good of all.
'So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another' Romans 12:5 |
| RE | RE lessons focus on the common good across the school. The children are able, with scriptures, to recognise that all our actions and thoughts must be aligned to supporting others and promoting projects that benefit others. e.g. The creation topic, covered across the school, links into Laudato Si, and message from Pope Francis about caring for our world. |
| English | The books we study over the course of the year embrace the notion of 'common good'. We are able to explore, through literature, different cultures and people, and their role in supporting others in life, e.g. The Arrival in Upper Juniors focuses on issues involving immigration and kindness towards others. |
| Maths | We embrace the theme of common good in maths lessons by incorporating mathematical concepts with real life issues for example financial literacy and word problems involving world or societal problems. |
| Science | In science lessons we are able to celebrate the common good each week. We recognise God's creation and ensure it is maintained for all. E.g. In our Infants plant topic the children explore how biodiversity contributes to common good by maintaining a balanced eco system. |
| Art/DT | Common Good is reflected in art and DT lessons at all stages of our school life. By considering the common good, pupils create solutions that benefit the others and contribute positively to society. We recognise that art contributes positively to others and should be shared. |
| Humanities | Humanities lessons at St Mary's contain many references to the common good. The children are able to explore how decisions made in the past and in modern society have been made to support others and help others. E.g. How lives change topic acknowledges the role that our ancestors have played in committing to ideas that support the good of all. |
| PSHE | Our TenTens scheme allows our pupils to look at how the common good is important in all our lives. The scheme emphasises that human beings exist as part of a society and we all participate and benefit from community life. The fruits of our home belong to all. |
| Computing | Common good is reflected in computing lessons with the notion of being responsible and contributing collaboratively in the digital world. |
| PE | Our PE curriculum promotes the common good by promoting teamwork and a sense of shared values in our sport pursuits. |
| Peace | Peace is not just the absence of war. It is part of God's nature, and a value we should all seek to live out in our daily lives. Peace comes from both justice and love and is dependent upon people understanding one another.
'...those who promote peace have joy' Proverbs 12:20 |
| RE | Through collective worship and liturgy we are able to promote the CST of peace. Each lesson refers to the Bible and the key messages that are contained about peace in our world and with each other. The topics highlight that peace is more than simply an absence of conflict but rather a promotion of key Catholic ideals. |
| English | The theme of peace permeates through many of the books that are studied in English lessons throughout the year. They contain reference to conflict resolution and the idea of compassion and justice. E.g. Billy and the beast, studied in infants, promotes the idea of forgiveness and working together to maintain unity. |
| Maths | In maths lessons we are able to recognise the opinions and ideas of others and work collaboratively to resolve mathematical differences. We are also able to look at problems involving financial inequality and social injustices and discuss the mathematical concepts as well as the social issues. |
| Science | By recognising the complexity of our world and the importance of God's creation, we are able to look at how we maintain peace within our world. E.g. In Upper Juniors we look at evolution and inheritance which incorporates the peace needed within animal ecosystems to live together. |
| Art/DT | Specific art topics throughout the year look at the theme of peace. We have contribute to the nativity painting competition which depicts the ultimate giver of peace. We also study artists who promote a message of peace within each composition. |
| Humanities | Peace is primarily covered within topics about wars studied throughout the year. It is also explored in geography lessons when we look at how communities are built and work together for a common goal. |
| PSHE | PSHE lessons allow us to focus on how to maintain peace in our world and within our relationships with others. We can recognise the importance of working together to promote peaceful relationships and interactions. |
| PE | Children are required to maintain peace within lessons and each other to ensure harmonious participation and enjoyment. |
| Option for the poor | A preferential option for the poor means we think first about the needs of those who are the most vulnerable. Jesus taught that when we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick and visit those imprisoned, we are looking after Him.
'Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow' Isaiah 1:17 |
| RE | RE lessons encompass many themes which relate to option for the poor. We recognise and discuss that many of God's teachings relate to how we need to look after the most needy and vulnerable in our world. |
| English | The books that we study in all phases across the school have many references to themes around the notion of looking after those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Although, not always presented in a human context, the theme is seen with the books as we are able to recognise that many of the protagonists suffer some sort of oppression within the stories studied. |
| Maths | Mathematical problem solving and reasoning questions can contain reference to social injustices, including wage discrepancies and mortality rates. |
| Humanities | History and geography lessons highlight the Catholic Social Teaching key of 'Option for the poor'. We are able to study democracy and the impact on all as well as covering issues about social injustices and how all people have been treated throughout history. |
| PSHE | How we respond to others, despite their economic background, is crucial to how we promote option for the poor in PSHE lessons. We are able to recognise that not all people have the same privileges as others but they should be treated equally. |
| Dignity of work and participation | We live in community with others, growing together. We are called to be active participants in all that we do. We have a responsibility to be inclusive so that we allow all people to participate.
'When each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love' Ephesians 4:16 |
| RE | In RE lessons we are able to study the teachings of the Catholic Church and how we are more than simply an individual, rather a collective Catholic community. We work to engage with the local parish and participate in local and global initiatives which raise money for others and support all people. |
| English | Through our writing we are able to explore characters who have fought for the rights of other people and created coherent communities who all work together. Our writing tasks, including poetry, have enabled the children to share their opinions and explore how to engage all members of the community to be involved in a 'real-life' task scenario. |
| Science | Science topics allow us to engage in environmental initiatives such as recycling drives or habitat preservations that recognise that we must be active with our faith. |
| PSHE | In PSHE lessons, we are able to promote the notion of active participation in school and local communities. We look at the impact of health and mental well-being and how we can work together to take a shared responsibility for this. |
| Solidarity | God created us as one global family called to support our brothers and sisters.
'....all of you are one in Christ Jesus' Galatians 3:28 |
| RE | Solidarity is reflected in all areas of RE lessons. We are able to study the rites of Catholic masses and the words that are said to spread the message that we are one with Christ. We look at the Sacraments and how they call us to be one body with each other and in Jesus' name. We also look at the Gospel values and how they impact our lives. |
| English | Many of the books we study at St Mary's have underlining themes about solidarity. In some cases they are not overtly obvious, but within class discussions, teachers are able to link the theme and characters to the key and how God would want a character to act and react. |
| Art/DT | Christian art, with images of the family of God at the forefront, are used within lessons. These can act as a stimuli for conversation, but also a point to further emphasise the message that we are with God and part of God. DT can be centred around a global theme which has an impact on others. e.g Creation Station in infants. |
| Humanities | Our global family is focused on in geography and history lessons. We are able to look at different communities and address the impact our actions have on them and how we must be called to help others. This is evident with topics involving social injustices and marginalised communities. |
| Care of Creation | We must care for the many gifts that God has given to us. These include our environment, our own talents and other resources. All living things are connected so we must use God's gifts responsibly to meet the needs of everyone, now and in the future'
'The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it' Genesis 2:15
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| RE | Care of creation is most prominently mentioned in our creation topic as we look at how the world was created and why we must always strive to look after God's creation. We also explore this theme with our proactive Eco school council who tend to our allotment and promote projects about caring for our environment. |
| English | Our writing tasks will often use a book with a clear environmental issue as a basis for independent work. The theme is discussed and used as a platform for writing, whether that is 'letters' to politicians, persuasive posters or simply a story highlighting how our world is being damaged. e.g. The Last Bear in Upper Juniors looks at the theme of climate change and the damage we do to our world. |
| PE | We are able to use our outside areas as a space to enjoy God's creation and we are mindful not to spoil it or damage our school environment when participating in sporting endeavours. |
| Science | The wonders of the world are examined in all science lessons. We explore the intricacies of God's creation but there is a real focus on how we must work to look after our world and maintain it. These include themes such as: recycling, habitats, global warming and used of energy. |