New to Catholic Education

Welcome to St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School. This guide is designed to provide you with helpful information about what makes our Catholic school unique, especially if you or your child are not from a Catholic background. We hope this will help you understand the values and practices we follow, and how you can support your child’s growth. 

Sending Your Child to a Catholic School

Choosing a Catholic school means choosing an environment where your child will receive an education that integrates faith, values, and academic excellence. St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School aims to create a nurturing community where children learn not only subjects like maths, science, and English, but also how to be kind, respectful, and compassionate individuals, following the Gospel values.

You don’t need to be Catholic to attend, but it’s important to know that Catholic values will guide our approach to teaching and discipline. (Link to pupil friendly behaviour policy) We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere for all families, regardless of their faith background. 

Religious Education

Religious Education (RE) is a core subject in the curriculum of every Catholic school. RE lessons help children understand the teachings of the Catholic Church, the life of Jesus Christ, and the importance of living according to Christian values like love, forgiveness, and service to others. 

Our religious education lessons are designed to be accessible and engaging for children of all backgrounds. While lessons focus on Catholic teachings, the underlying message of respect, compassion, and community is universal. RE is taught for at least 10% of curriculum time in every year group.  

As a non-Catholic parent, you can support your child’s RE learning by: 

• Showing interest in what they are learning and discussing it with them at home 
• Encouraging them to ask questions and express their opinions 
• Talk to them about respect and tolerance for the beliefs and practices of others 
• Providing them with opportunities to learn about your own faith.  

Catholic Prayer in School

In a Catholic primary school, prayer is part of everyday life. We believe that prayer is an important way to connect with God and build a sense of community.   Many of the prayers learned by the children are simple and often focus on gratitude, asking for guidance, or praying for others. A list of some of the prayers learned in each key stage can be found here.

What is Mass?

Mass is the central act of worship in the Catholic Church. It is a special service where Catholics come together to pray, sing, and listen to readings from the Bible. During Mass, the priest leads the congregation in prayers, and the community celebrates the Eucharist (Holy Communion). The Eucharist is the belief that bread and wine are consecrated and become the body and blood of Christ.   

Pupils in our school attend Mass with their class or as a school community. For non-Catholic children, attending Mass is a way to experience the Catholic faith in action. Your child will not be expected to participate in receiving Holy Communion but will be encouraged to respect the traditions and observe the service.  

Whether or not you are Catholic, your child will be welcomed into a community of care, respect, and faith, where they will have the opportunity to thrive. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help you and your family every step of the way.