Ethos, Values and Cluster Vision

Corpus Christi Catholic High School

Mission Statement  

“Together we are the Body of Christ”

• show our love by helping and forgiving each other
• recognise that everyone is unique and celebrate their differences
• value ourselves, develop our talents and help others to develop theirs
• strive for excellence in everything we do
• grow closer to God in Word, in Sacrament and in what we do
• live in partnership with all those around us
• respond to Christ’s call to build His kingdom

THE ETHOS 

Being a teacher is a unique opportunity to have a positive effect on the happiness and life chances of the learners in our care. We believe that it is the best job in the world and hence one that brings with it a tremendous responsibility which we must never take lightly. Together with all members of staff, our role is to create an ethos where every child can succeed, can be happy and encounter no barriers to success.   
  

One of the key ways our Mission Statement is realised is through our Chaplaincy. We support our students in reaching and exceeding their academic potential by ensuring that alongside the curriculum they have opportunities to develop spiritually, morally, emotionally and socially.

We begin every day in prayer. Our weekly Year Assemblies are led by students and staff and align with our Corpus Christi Pupil Profile. On the other four days in Tutor Time, Form Tutors and students further explore a set agenda designed to support their spiritual, moral, emotional and social development.

All students are offered experiences which allow them to explore, discuss, reflect on and pray about issues that help them to develop their spirituality, self-awareness and self-worth and to strengthen their relationship with one another and with God.

At Corpus Christi we seek to live out Christ’s commandment to “love one another” and one way of being witness to this is to educate our learners about the needs of others at a local, national and international level. Every year we have great fun whilst we raise money and awareness of a variety of charities.

We encourage all members of our community to plan, participate and present in our many acts of worship throughout the year – this ranges from vibrant Whole School Masses to Class Masses, Services of Reconciliation, A Welcome Mass and Leavers’ Mass, Morning Prayer and Prayer in each lesson. Our Liturgies are enhanced by our learners’ fantastic musical, singing, drama and reading skills. Alongside this the Chapel remains open for Prayer before school and during break times.

At Corpus Christi all staff contribute to the liturgical, spiritual and charitable life of the school.  Heads of Year, Form Tutors and the RE Department have particular roles in leading on prayer, Assemblies, school Mass, Retreats, charities and community work supported by all staff. 

Our Chaplain leads on the spiritual life of the school and he, along with the Pastoral Team, and feedback and suggestions from parents and learners, regularly review and plan together to ensure that we provide opportunities to enrich, develop and support our students spiritually, pastorally and emotionally.  

Our journey in life and faith is not always easy and we support one another whether the struggles we face are at home or in school.

Throughout their years at Corpus Christi Catholic High School, our learners have opportunities to develop as whole young people ready to take their place in our world. Our faith in Jesus is at the centre of our community. As staff we are guided and inspired by Jesus’ example of justice, service, compassion, empathy, integrity, forgiveness; reconciliation and love to support us in our special vocation. Our learners are encouraged to follow Christ’s example.

British Values

In the spirit of our Mission Statement Corpus Christi Catholic High School is committed to serving our community. We are proud of our distinctive nature as a Catholic School and as such recognise the multi-faith, multi-cultural and ever-changing nature of the wider society of which we are part. As a Catholic School, central to our ethos are the teachings of Jesus, in particular those that promote the equality and dignity of each person. We achieve this in part by ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The five British Values are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

As a Catholic School, and as highlighted in our Mission Statement we are committed to promoting all five values and the following examples show some of the many ways we do this.

Democracy

We promote democracy at Corpus Christi’s through Learner Voice, evaluation and consultation. The principle of Democracy is explored in the curriculum via RE, History and PSHE, as well as in Assemblies and in Tutor Time.

The rule of law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Corpus Christi. Learners are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the student code of conduct and student expectations. Students are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

Individual liberty

At Corpus Christi, learners are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. All of our staff educate and provide boundaries for students to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Learners are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely. Corpus Christi has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Behaviour for Learning Policy.

Mutual Respect

Central to Christian teaching on relationships is mutual respect as stated in our Mission Statement. Learners are taught to recognise that their behaviour impacts on their own rights and those of others, both in and outside of the classroom.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

This is achieved though equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Within our school community we promote respect and tolerance for those from different faiths and those of no faith. Through RE, Liturgies and Assemblies a greater knowledge, and therefore of understanding, of other faiths is developed. We hope that our students leave us confident to express and practice their own faith and beliefs and appreciative of the contribution made to our wider society of different faiths and cultures. We hope that they leave us with the skills to contribute to building a fairer, kinder and more tolerant society founded on mutual respect, tolerance and compassion.

Further information on any of these or on diversity can be found by logging on to https://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/schools/british-values