Catholic Life

Our Catholic Ethos:

Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic school which seeks to live out the values of Jesus Christ. We promote these values by our words and deeds. The Catholic doctrine therefore permeates every aspect of the school's activity. We provide a Catholic curriculum, which is broad and balanced, recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to discern their vocation and to be well-equipped to follow it as active citizens in service to the world. Catholic Religious Education is the 'core of the core curriculum' (Pope St. John Paul II) and the foundation of the entire educational process. We also provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities and strong pastoral support for our pupils, staff and friends of the school.

British Values:

The promotion of ‘British values’ is central to Catholic education because British values have their origin in the Christian values of our nation. We incorporate democratic principles, value the rule of law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are respected.

"Pupils develop a good understanding of different faiths and of their place within the local community.This results from the school’s close links with the Catholic Church, as well as with local faith groups."  (Ofsted, 2014)

Our aim at Blessed Sacrament is to provide our children with a culture and curriculum that effectively promotes all of these key values. This will create a values-driven school that achieves outstanding results for our pupils and for the wider community.

SMSC Development:

At Blessed Sacrament, we recognise that the personal development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, play a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. In line with the Catholic ethos of our school, Christ is at the heart of all learning and socialising that takes place in the school day. We therefore aim to give an education that provides pupils with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour, a positive caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and the richness of other cultures and a respect for their own faith and other religions.

"The school makes good provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This is helping pupils gain a thorough understanding of life in modern Britain. The school’s deeply held values place mutual respect at its core, which contributes to the Catholic ethos of school life." (Ofsted, 2018)

All curriculum areas have a contribution to make to the child’s social, moral, spiritual and cultural development and opportunities for this to be planned in each area of the curriculum. The integrity and spirituality of all pupils from different backgrounds will be respected and explored. The diversity of spiritual traditions will be recognised, and pupils will be given access to alternative views. Adults will model and promote expected behaviour, treating all pupils as unique and valuable individuals and showing respect for pupils and their families. The school community will be a place where pupils can find acceptance for themselves as unique individuals.