At English Martyrs’ RC Primary School, our Catholic faith is at the heart of everything we do. We are a loving, faith-filled community rooted in the teachings of Christ, where every child is recognised as a unique gift from God and encouraged to grow in faith, confidence and character.

Guided by our motto, “Stand firm. Show kindness. Seek excellence. Ubi Caritas – Where charity and love are found, God is there,” we nurture children to live out the Gospel in their daily lives and become the people God calls them to be.

As part of the Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership (KCSP) and the Archdiocese of Southwark, we are proud to belong to a wider Catholic family, working together to provide an education rooted in faith, excellence and service.

Living Our Faith

Our mission is lived out through prayer, worship, service and strong relationships with our families and parish community. We encourage our pupils to:

• Stand firm in their faith, showing courage and integrity
• Show kindness through love and compassion for others
• Seek excellence in all aspects of their learning and behaviour

Our pupil-chosen values — kindness, respect, courage, perseverance, honesty and sharing — guide how we treat one another and shape the life of our school community.

Prayer, Liturgy and Worship

Prayer and worship are central to school life at English Martyrs’. Through daily prayer, collective worship, and celebration of Mass, children develop a deep and meaningful relationship with God.

We provide opportunities for:

• Daily class prayer and reflection
• Whole-school liturgies and assemblies
• Celebration of Mass throughout the liturgical year
• Pupil-led worship through our J@EMs (Jesus at English Martyrs) group
• Special services with families and parish

Collective worship gives our children a sense of belonging, purpose and spirituality, helping them reflect on the Gospel and its meaning in their lives.

Pupil Leadership and Faith in Action

Our children play an active role in leading and living out our Catholic life.

J@EMs (Jesus at English Martyrs’)

Our J@EMs meet weekly to explore the Gospel and lead whole-school worship, helping others to grow in faith. 

Altar Servers

We are proud of our altar servers who serve the parish and school community with reverence and dedication. We would like to thank members of our school community for dedicating themselves to this important role.

Service and Outreach

We encourage our children to put their faith into action through charitable work, fundraising and supporting those in need, living out Catholic Social Teaching in meaningful ways.

Celebrations and the Liturgical Year

Our school year is enriched by celebrations of key feasts and events in the Church’s calendar. These moments bring our community together in prayer, reflection and joy.

We also embrace national and global Church events, including:

Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

Every 25 years, the Catholic Church holds a Jubilee Year. All members of the global Church family are called to participate in this Holy Year. It is a time to grow in our faith and prayer life. A time too to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. Key aspects of a Jubilee Year include how we treat one another and how we live out the mission Jesus states in Luke 4:16-21. We celebrated this special Jubilee Year as a time to grow in faith, strengthen relationships with God and one another, and live out Christ’s mission of justice, love and compassion (Luke 4:16–21).

Religious Education

We follow ‘Lighting the Path’ programme to teach Religious Education across the school. This ensures that children:

• Gain a deep understanding of Catholic teachings
• Explore Scripture and its meaning
• Make connections between faith and daily life
• Develop spiritually and academically

RE is taught creatively and is given a central place in the curriculum, reflecting its importance in forming the whole child.

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)

We deliver RSHE through the Ten Ten “Life to the Full” programme, rooted in the belief that every child is created, chosen and loved by God.

This programme supports children in understanding:

• Relationships and family life
• Well-being and personal identity
• Respect, dignity and the Common Good
• Safety and responsible choices

A Community of Faith

We work closely with parents, carers and our parish, recognising that families are the first educators of their children. Together, we support each child’s spiritual journey and create a nurturing, inclusive community where all are welcomed and valued.

Validation and Recognition

Our commitment to Catholic life and mission is reflected in our Oscar Romero Award journey, which recognises how we live out Catholic Social Teaching in action.

The validation report highlights the strength of our school community in:

• Living out Gospel values in daily life
• Promoting dignity, respect and inclusion
• Encouraging pupils to take action for justice and the common good
• Developing strong pupil leadership in faith and service

This affirms our dedication to ensuring that faith is not only taught, but truly lived by all members of our school community.

Our Commitment

At English Martyrs’, Catholic life is not just part of what we do — it is who we are.

Through prayer, worship, service and learning, we strive to nurture children who:

• Love God and one another
• Act with kindness and integrity
• Serve others with compassion
• Make a positive difference in the world

Together, we live out the message of Ubi Caritas, ensuring that in our school, charity and love are always present — and therefore, God is too.