Catholic Life and Mission at St. George's

Catholic Life and Mission at St George’s

Religious life at St George’s is central to our school community, shaping both character and mission. Our faith informs everything we do, guiding our actions, our learning, and the way we care for one another.

Our Vision:
In the light of Christ we will learn what we need to be the difference in our world.

Our Mission Statement:
“We learn, we love, we look after our world. We strive to be the best that we can be, following in the footsteps of Jesus.”

At St George’s, Religious Education is far more than a subject on the timetable; it is the foundation of our entire educational process. The beliefs and values explored in RE permeate all aspects of school life, shaping behaviour, relationships, learning, and the focus of our community. Our Catholic identity is recognised and cherished by pupils, staff, and parents alike, contributing to what makes St George’s such a special place to be.

Religious Education at St George’s

We follow the Religious Education Curriculum Directory (RED) of the Bishops’ Conference, 2012 (Ages 4–11, Pages 53–58), ensuring that our teaching is fully aligned with national Catholic and diocesan standards. In addition, we have embraced the new RED curriculum, which introduces a multi-faith element each year, allowing pupils to explore and respect the beliefs of others while deepening their own Catholic faith.

RE lessons at St George’s are faith-filled, engaging, and inclusive. Each child is supported to feel they belong to our school community, regardless of faith background. Lessons are safe spaces where pupils are respected for their beliefs and encouraged to express their faith, while also being challenged to achieve their best. Through this approach, our pupils develop both academically and spiritually, growing in confidence, empathy, and understanding of the wider world.

Section 48 Statement

Our school is committed to the highest standards in Catholic education and spiritual formation. Our approach to RE, liturgy, and prayerful reflection has been recognised in our Section 48 inspections, reflecting the strength of faith life at St George’s and its impact on the personal development of every pupil.

Footsteps in Faith Award 

Through the Footsteps in Faith Award, pupils are acknowledged for their dedication to exploring RE, demonstrating leadership in faith, and making a positive impact in our school, parish and wider community. 

Our Chaplaincy Team – Leaders in Faith at St George’s

At St George’s, our Chaplaincy Team is an integral part of school life, guiding and supporting the spiritual growth of our pupils. Each member of the team is formally commissioned, receiving their Chaplaincy Team badge and a blessing from Clifton Diocese, marking their special role within our Catholic community.

The Chaplaincy Team play a key role in nurturing the prayer life and Catholic identity of our school. They are supported and guided by our Parish Priest, Fr Antony, Deacon Terry and alongside staff members including (but not limited to) Mrs Brown, Mrs Davis and Mrs Cannella.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Chaplaincy Team

Members of the Chaplaincy Team have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Serving as role models for living a life of faith and inspiring others in the school community.

• Building and nurturing positive relationships within the school and with the wider parish community.

• Leading prayer, reflections, and liturgies in the school prayer area.

• Sharing Catholic Social Teaching and helping pupils understand how faith can guide everyday life

• Planning and leading collective worship for key stages or the whole school

• Supporting the preparation and organisation of school Masses and special liturgical celebrations

• Assisting with school-led charity initiatives and outreach projects

• Strengthening links between St George’s and our Parish community

• Upholding and promoting the values and mission of St George’s: “We learn, we love, we look after our world. We strive to be the best that we can be, following in the footsteps of Jesus.”

Through their dedication, the Chaplaincy Team helps to ensure that faith is alive at the heart of St George’s, inspiring all pupils to grow spiritually, morally, and academically.

Helping our local community

At St George’s, caring for others and contributing to the local community is at the heart of what we do. Our pupils are encouraged to develop a sense of social responsibility and compassion, learning that even small actions can make a big difference. From prayerful reflection to hands-on service, we aim to live out our school mission: “We learn, we love, we look after our world.”

One of our most cherished annual events is our Harvest Festival service. During this celebration, pupils, staff, and families generously donate food and essentials, which are then distributed to those in need in our local area. Our Year 6 pupils take on a special role, delivering these donations personally to local households, giving them a real sense of connection and the joy of helping others.

Being part of a garrison town, St George’s takes pride in supporting our armed forces community. Every year, our school contributes to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, raising money through pupil-led poppy sales. This initiative helps pupils understand the importance of remembrance, service, and gratitude, while actively supporting those who have served our country.

We also look after our local environment through children litter picking the local community. Pupils take pride in caring for the streets, parks, and green spaces around our school, learning that stewardship of the world is an important part of our Catholic values. Alongside these activities, our children engage in many other ways to help and serve our local community, fostering kindness, responsibility, and a lifelong commitment to making a positive difference.