At St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, our Catholic life and mission is rooted in the Gospel and guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), which shape who we are, what we do, and how we live together as a community. These values are at the heart of our school and are lived out daily in our worship, relationships, curriculum, and service to others.

Every week our Assistant Headteacher, Mr. Stephens, welcomes children and staff to a Catholic Social Teaching assembly that focuses on relevant, timely SMSC topics that approaches each topic through a Catholic lens. We promote that Catholic Values are British Values.

We believe in the dignity of the human person, recognising that every child is made in the image and likeness of God and deserving of love, respect, and care. Our school nurtures each individual, helping them grow spiritually, morally, and academically. We are an inclusive school that has a strong focus on supporting children with SEND and our admissions policy does not make a distinction by catchment area - like Catholic schools nationally we cater for all children, irrespective of their background, family circumstances, ethnicity or even their relationship with Catholicism.

Through our commitment to the common good, we encourage children to look beyond themselves, to build a just and compassionate world where everyone is valued. We create opportunities for pupils to engage in charitable works, environmental stewardship, and acts of kindness—locally and globally. This year we have collected for Thurrock Food Bank and have raised money for CAFOD World Gifts.

We uphold the principle of solidarity, teaching our children that we are one family and that we have a responsibility to support one another, especially the poor and vulnerable. Whether through prayer, fundraising, or active service, our pupils learn the importance of walking alongside others in love and justice. This year our Year 3 class took part in an engaging peace and solidarity workshop.

Our school also promotes participation and the rights and responsibilities of all members of our community, helping children find their voice and take responsibility for their actions. We work closely with families, our parish, and the wider Stanford-le-Hope community to ensure that our mission is lived out in practical and meaningful ways. Our school has a strong emphasis on Catholic Values and promoting strong learning behaviours within school so that every child not only has the right to the best education possible, but can actively engage with it.

As stewards of God’s creation, we teach the care for our common home, encouraging a sense of wonder, responsibility, and respect for the world around us. In school we have an ECO team (Year 4), Environment Managers (Year 6) and have invited in organisations to promote the care, welfare and love we should afford nature.

At St. Joseph’s, Catholic Social Teaching is not just part of our curriculum—it is a way of life. It inspires our vision, guides our actions, and helps every member of our school community grow in faith, hope, and love.