Catholic School Improvement

At St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, Catholic School Improvement is central to our mission. Everything we do is shaped by the Gospel, our Catholic values, and our commitment to helping every child flourish academically, spiritually, and personally. Each year, we set clear priorities to strengthen our Catholic Life, Religious Education, and Collective Worship, ensuring that our whole community grows together in faith. Below are our priorities for the 2025–2026 academic year, followed by an overview of the strong foundations already built in recent years and the impact of our work so far.

Our Priorities for 2025–2026

Our focus for 2025–2026 is the introduction of the new Religious Education Directory (RED) across the school, following Archdiocesan guidance, with full implementation ready for September 2026.

Key priorities

• Ensure our new RE curriculum lead has access to Archdiocesan support, updates and cluster networks to guide implementation.
• Introduce the RED curriculum in EYFS and embed it confidently within early years provision.
• Deliver staff training on Prayer and Liturgy so staff feel confident to lead and support high-quality prayer and worship experiences across all year groups.
• Prepare for school-wide RED rollout, including resourcing, planning and curriculum alignment across all classes.
• Monitor and evaluate RE provision throughout the year to ensure consistency, quality and improved outcomes for pupils.

Expected impact

• High-quality, consistent RE lessons aligned with the new RED framework.
• Increased staff confidence in teaching RED and leading Prayer and Liturgy effectively.
• Strong whole-school readiness for full implementation across all year groups by September 2026.

What We Have Done Previously

Strengthened RSHE provision

• Implemented the Journey in Love programme with staff training and meaningful engagement with parents.

Enhanced Collective Worship

• Delivered staff training and introduced a structured approach to daily and weekly worship.
• Invested in resources to support focal points, prayer and reflection in classrooms.
• Strengthened monitoring and support through leadership and governor involvement.
• Increased parent and parish involvement in worship and whole-school celebrations.

Renewed and embedded our Mission

• Consulted with pupils, parents, staff and governors to create a renewed mission statement.
• Launched and embedded it so it is understood and lived in daily school life.

Developed Catholic Life, service and leadership

• Established and strengthened pupil leadership and service opportunities, including CAFOD, Eco initiatives, buddies and play leaders.
• Planned and delivered charitable events and community action, supporting local, national and international causes.

Strengthened family and wellbeing support

• Developed a systematic approach to pupil and family wellbeing, including whole-school mental health provision and targeted support.
• Provided practical support for families, including help to ensure all children can access enrichment opportunities.

Enriched the Catholic environment

• Created sacred spaces around school and developed a dedicated prayer space.
• Improved the visibility of Catholic identity through meaningful displays, scripture and symbols.

Deepened parish links

• Strengthened partnership with parish clergy to support sacramental preparation and liturgical celebrations.
• Developed shared parish-school events to enrich children’s spiritual formation.

Impact We Have Had

A stronger lived Catholic ethos

• Our mission and values are increasingly visible in pupils’ behaviour, attitudes, relationships and daily choices.

More meaningful worship

• Collective Worship is more consistent and engaging, rooted in the liturgical year and supported by confident staff and stronger parish links.

Greater pupil leadership, service and compassion

• Children have more opportunities to lead, serve and act for others, developing empathy, responsibility and a strong sense of social justice.

Improved wellbeing and inclusion

• Families and vulnerable pupils receive more consistent emotional and practical support, helping children to thrive and feel safe, known and valued.

A more prayerful environment

• Sacred spaces and faith-focused displays help nurture calm, reflection and a shared sense of belonging.

Growing staff confidence and consistency

• Training and shared approaches have strengthened staff confidence and improved consistency in Catholic provision, with further development underway through RED implementation.