Catholic School Improvement at Euxton St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

At Euxton St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Catholic School Improvement lies at the heart of our mission as a faith-filled learning community. Everything we do is rooted in the Gospel and shaped by our Catholic values, ensuring that every child is nurtured academically, spiritually and personally. We are committed to helping pupils grow as confident learners, compassionate individuals and active members of the Church and wider community.

Our approach to improvement reflects the mission of Catholic education: to develop the whole child in faith, knowledge, service and love. Through high-quality Religious Education, meaningful Collective Worship and a vibrant Catholic Life, we aim to ensure that our school is a place where Christ is at the centre of everything we do.

Each year we identify clear priorities that strengthen Catholic Life, Religious Education and Prayer and Liturgy across the school. These priorities guide our professional development, curriculum planning and evaluation, ensuring that our whole community – pupils, staff, governors, families and parish – grows together in our family of faith.

Below are our priorities for the 2025–2026 academic year, followed by an overview of the strong foundations we have built in recent years and the impact of our work so far.

Our Priorities for 2025–2026

Our key focus for 2025–2026 is the introduction and preparation for the full implementation of the new Religious Education Directory (RED) across the school, following guidance from the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

During this year we will begin implementation in upper KS2, in Year 5, while preparing staff, curriculum structures and resources so that the new RED curriculum can be fully embedded across all year groups by September 2026.

This transition provides an opportunity to further strengthen the quality of Religious Education, deepen pupils’ understanding of faith and scripture, and ensure that learning reflects the mission of Catholic education in today’s world.

Key Priorities

Strengthen leadership of Religious Education

• Ensure our RE curriculum lead has access to Archdiocesan training, guidance and updates.
• Engage in local cluster network to collaborate with other Catholic schools implementing the RED curriculum.
• Provide mentoring and leadership support so that RE continues to develop strategically across the school.

Introduce the RED curriculum in EYFS

• Implement the new RED framework within EYFS, KS1 and lower KS2 is ensuring that learning is rooted in scripture, story and encounter with God.
• Embed RED within early years provision, linking learning to play, reflection and discussion.
• Monitor how effectively the curriculum supports young children in developing a sense of wonder, belonging and faith.

Develop high-quality Prayer and Liturgy

• Provide staff training on Prayer and Liturgy, ensuring all staff feel confident leading meaningful acts of worship.
• Support staff to plan and lead age-appropriate, engaging prayer experiences rooted in the liturgical year.
• Encourage greater pupil involvement in preparing and leading worship, helping children develop confidence and ownership of prayer.

Prepare for whole-school RED rollout

• Begin long-term curriculum planning aligned with the new Religious Education Directory.
• Audit and purchase resources needed to support teaching of scripture, theology and Catholic social teaching.
• Ensure progression in knowledge, skills and vocabulary across all year groups.

Monitor and evaluate RE provision

• Conduct regular lesson visits, book reviews and pupil voice activities to evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in RE.
• Work with governors to review progress in Catholic Life and RE provision.
• Use evaluation to ensure consistency, high expectations and strong pupil outcomes.

Expected Impact

Through these priorities we expect to achieve:

• High-quality Religious Education that reflects the vision and structure of the new RED framework.
• Increased staff confidence in delivering the curriculum and leading meaningful Prayer and Liturgy.
• Deeper pupil understanding of scripture, faith and Catholic teaching.
• Greater pupil participation in worship and leadership of prayer.
• Strong whole-school readiness for the full implementation of the RED curriculum by September 2026.

What We Have Done Previously

Over recent years, Euxton St Mary’s has worked deliberately to strengthen Catholic Life, improve Religious Education and deepen the spiritual experience of pupils across the school.

Strengthening RSHE Provision

• Implemented the Journey in Love programme across all year groups.
• Delivered staff training to ensure the programme is taught with confidence and sensitivity.
• Engaged with parents and carers through communication and guidance to support understanding of the programme.
• Ensured that RSHE teaching reflects Catholic teaching on relationships, dignity and respect.

Enhancing Collective Worship

• Introduced a structured approach to Collective Worship across the school, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Provided staff training to support effective planning and delivery of prayer and worship.
• Developed class prayer areas and focal points to support reflection and worship in every classroom.
• Strengthened monitoring of worship through leadership, governor involvement and pupil feedback.
• Increased opportunities for parent and parish participation in liturgies and celebrations throughout the year.

Renewing and Embedding Our Mission

• Worked collaboratively with pupils, staff, parents and governors to renew our mission statement.
• Ensured the mission reflects our shared values, Gospel principles and commitment to serving others.
• Embedded the mission throughout school life so it is visible in daily interactions, learning and behaviour.

Developing Catholic Life, Service and Leadership

• Established and strengthened pupil leadership roles across the school.
• Encouraged pupils to live out their faith through service, charity and social action.
• Supported initiatives including:
  • CAFOD fundraising and campaigns
  • Eco initiatives and environmental responsibility
  • Play leaders and buddy systems
  • Introduced Mini Vinnies/CAFOD group for our KS2 children
• Planned and delivered charitable events supporting local, national and global causes.

These opportunities help pupils understand Catholic Social Teaching, particularly the importance of dignity, justice and care for the vulnerable.

• Looked at how Catholic Social Teaching can be used in all areas of our curriculum and interwoven CST throughout our policies.

Strengthening Family and Wellbeing Support

• Developed a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
• Implemented systems for identifying and supporting vulnerable pupils and families.
• Provided practical and emotional support where needed to ensure every child can access the full life of the school.
• Promoted inclusion so that pupils feel safe, valued and supported.

Enriching the Catholic Environment

• Created sacred spaces throughout the school, encouraging reflection and prayer.
• Developed a dedicated Prayer Garden space where pupils can pause, pray and reflect.
• Enhanced displays across the school featuring scripture, Catholic symbols and the liturgical year.
• Ensured that the Catholic identity of the school is visible and meaningful throughout the learning environment.

Deepening Parish Links

• Strengthened partnership with parish clergy and the wider parish community.
• Supported pupils in their sacramental preparation, particularly First Holy Communion.
• Celebrated Mass and liturgical events together as a school and parish community.
• Created opportunities for shared celebrations, prayer and service.
• Our families are parishioners are welcome to attend our Whole School Prayer and Liturgy each Friday morning.  Fr Simon is a regular visitor to our school and offers our children and families a blessing at the closing of our worship. Fr Simon is a visible presence in our school.

These partnerships help pupils see that faith is lived both in school and in the wider Church community.

Impact of Our Work

Our commitment to Catholic School Improvement has had a clear and positive impact across the school.

A Stronger Lived Catholic Ethos

Our mission and values are increasingly visible in pupils’ behaviour, attitudes and relationships. Children demonstrate kindness, compassion and respect for others, reflecting the Gospel values that underpin our school community.

More Meaningful Worship

Collective Worship is now more consistent, engaging and rooted in the liturgical year. Staff are increasingly confident in planning and leading worship, and pupils actively participate in prayer and reflection.

Greater Pupil Leadership, Service and Compassion

Pupils have more opportunities to lead and serve others through charity work, school roles and community initiatives. These experiences help children develop empathy, responsibility and a strong sense of social justice.

Improved Wellbeing and Inclusion

Our strengthened pastoral systems ensure that families and vulnerable pupils receive consistent support. As a result, pupils feel safe, known and valued, allowing them to flourish both personally and academically.

A More Prayerful Environment

The development of sacred spaces and faith-focused displays has helped create an environment that encourages reflection, prayer and a strong sense of belonging.

Growing Staff Confidence and Consistency

Professional development and shared approaches have strengthened staff confidence in delivering Catholic provision. Staff are well placed to continue developing practice as we move forward with the implementation of the Religious Education Directory.

Awards and Recognition

The strength of Catholic Life at Euxton St Mary’s Catholic Primary School is reflected not only in the daily experiences of our pupils but also in the recognition the school has received for living out the values of Catholic Social Teaching.

CAFOD LiveSimply Award

In March 2026, Euxton St Mary’s Catholic Primary School was proud to achieve the CAFOD LiveSimply Award. This national award recognises schools that demonstrate a commitment to living simply, living sustainably and living in solidarity with the world’s poorest communities.

Pupils, staff and families worked together to take practical action to care for creation, support those in need and reflect on how we can live more simply in our daily lives. Activities included fundraising and awareness campaigns for CAFOD, environmental initiatives across the school and opportunities for pupils to learn about global justice and stewardship.

Achieving the LiveSimply Award reflects the school’s commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, particularly the principles of care for creation, solidarity and the dignity of every person.

Oscar Romero Award – Participator Level

Also in March 2026, Euxton St Mary’s achieved the Oscar Romero Award at Participator Level. This award recognises schools that are developing a strong Catholic ethos rooted in Gospel values and inspired by the witness of Saint Oscar Romero.

Through this process the school demonstrated its commitment to:

• placing Catholic values at the heart of school life
• encouraging pupils to live out their faith through service and social action
• developing a culture of justice, compassion and respect for others.

The award celebrates the work of pupils and staff in promoting fairness, supporting charitable causes and developing an awareness of global responsibility.

These recognitions affirm the school’s ongoing commitment to forming pupils who are faith-filled, socially aware and motivated to make a positive difference in the world.