Catholic Life at Our Lady of Mount Carmel RC Primary School

At Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, the Catholic life of our community is vibrant and deeply rooted in opportunities for our children to encounter God and nurture a personal relationship with Him as our loving and compassionate Father. Through both traditional and spontaneous prayer, regular liturgies, and dedicated Religious Education lessons, pupils receive direct teaching of the faith. The strong relationships shared among pupils, staff, and parents help foster a supportive environment where God’s presence is felt and His love is known.

At the heart of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School is our beautiful school chapel — a safe and sacred space where children and staff alike can feel a deep sense of peace and closeness to God. The chapel plays a central role in the spiritual life of our school, offering a quiet place for prayer, reflection, and connection with Christ. It is accessible to all pupils during break and lunchtime, providing a calm environment away from the busyness of the school day. The chapel is regularly used for class collective worship and smaller liturgical gatherings, nurturing a sense of reverence and community. At key times throughout the liturgical year, such as during the Month of the Rosary in October, the chapel is also opened to parents, who are warmly invited to join us in prayer and devotion.

Religious symbols such as crucifixes, icons, and statues are visible throughout the school, reminding us that our actions, learning, and relationships are founded on our Catholic identity. High-quality RE displays in classrooms and communal areas reflect the importance of faith in our school life. Each classroom features a dedicated prayer focus area, including a liturgical cloth in the colour of the Church season, creating a sacred space for reflection and worship.

Our Catholic and British values are seamlessly integrated, encouraging every child to grow in commitment and responsibility — to themselves, to others, and to the wider world. These values are lived out in daily school life, forming the moral compass of our community.

The leadership of the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, and Governors ensures that our Catholic foundation remains central to all that we do. All staff understand their vital role in sharing and modelling the faith to the children in our care. Regular professional development, including In-Service Training, helps staff grow in confidence and competence in delivering high-quality Religious Education. Together, we pray, support one another, and strive to provide the very best for our pupils’ spiritual development.

We are blessed with strong partnerships between school, home, and parish. Our parish priest plays an active role in our school life, and we work together as one Catholic family to strengthen the faith of our children in today’s world. As servants of God, we encourage all pupils to take part in charitable acts and outreach, learning that even small actions of kindness can have a meaningful impact on those in need.