Catholic Social Teaching at Sacred Heart RC Primary School.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
– Matthew 5:9

An Inclusive Approach to Social Teaching

We are proud that Sacred Heart is a diverse and inclusive school, where children from many different faith backgrounds come together to live out shared values. We honour and respect every child’s spirituality, and Catholic Social Teaching gives us a common language of dignity, justice, and care.

Working together, we help children grow into compassionate, reflective, and courageous citizens who understand that building a better world is everyone’s responsibility.

At Sacred Heart RC Primary, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is central to our mission and ethos. It is rooted in Scripture, shaped by the tradition and teachings of the Catholic Church, and brought to life in our daily actions and interactions.

CST provides us with a moral framework—a way of living that challenges us to put our faith into action. It calls us to recognise the dignity of every person, care for creation, and build a world that reflects justice, peace, and compassion.

Jesus’ instruction to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31) underpins how we relate to one another in our school, in our local community, and in the wider world. It is through this love that we seek to serve the common good.

Phrases for Parents

The extent to which pupils contribute to and benefit from the life and mission of the school Catholic identity, charism and mission

Charism comes from the Greek word (Charis) used in the New Testament for ‘favour’ or ‘freely given gift’ from God. So charisms, or spiritual gifts, are gifts given through the grace of the Holy Spirit to enable followers of Jesus to become powerful channels of God's love and presence in the world.

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a body of doctrine and principles that guides Catholics on how to live their faith in the world, particularly in social and economic matters. It emphasizes the inherent dignity of every human being, the common good, and the importance of working towards a just and peaceful society. CST is rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and the teachings of popes, bishops, and theologians. 

Human dignity – every person possesses worth and dignity.

The common good – the social conditions that allow people to flourish in their communities, including the rights and responsibilities of all citizens.

Solidarity – a sense of interconnectedness and mutual responsibility for the wellbeing of all people, especially the vulnerable. The church has a preferential love for the poor and vulnerable, advocating for their needs and rights. 

Subsidiarity – the principle that decisions and responsibilities should be made at the lowest level possible, closer to those affected, while respecting the authority of higher levels.

A Faith That Takes Action

Modern Catholic Social Teaching began with the Church’s response to injustice in the 19th century through the landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891). Since then, CST has grown through the voices of Church leaders and movements around the world. In recent years, Pope Francis has deepened CST with powerful messages in Laudato Si’ (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020), reminding us that we are all interconnected and responsible for one another.

At Sacred Heart, CST is not just taught in Religious Education lessons—it is woven into the fabric of everyday school life. It inspires the way we approach learning across all subjects, including English, History, Geography, and Science. Our assemblies, collective worship, and discussions about current events help children apply these principles to real-life situations.

The Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

These core principles guide our actions and form the heart of our school life:

1. Human Dignity – Everyone is Special

"Each person is a work of art, created by God.” – Ephesians 2:10
At Sacred Heart, we uphold the dignity of all by:

• Treating everyone with kindness and respect
• Promoting equality and inclusion
• Raising awareness of human rights
• Valuing every individual’s voice and worth

2. The Common Good – Working Together for Everyone

"You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor person. You are handing over to them what is theirs." – St Ambrose
We serve the common good by:

• Working cooperatively
• Supporting one another
• Taking responsibility for our community
• Encouraging active participation and shared success

3. Participation – The Dignity of Work and Responsibility

"Do the hard work of getting along with each other." – James 3:17
We promote participation by:

• Respecting everyone’s contribution
• Celebrating diverse talents and gifts
• Encouraging fair and responsible choices
• Taking pride in doing our best for the good of others

4. Subsidiarity – Everyone Has a Voice

"Blessed are those who maintain justice." – Psalm 106:3

At Sacred Heart, we believe that every child has the right to be heard and the responsibility to contribute positively to their community. We teach that their opinions matter and that they can help shape the world around them.

Children at our school consistently show respect, responsibility, and care for others by:

• Taking an active role in school life
• Making thoughtful and fair choices
• Listening to others and expressing themselves kindly
• Speaking up for justice and doing what is right

5. Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation

"Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue." – Pope Francis, Laudato Si’*
We show care for creation by:

• Respecting the environment
• Reducing waste and making sustainable choices
• Appreciating the beauty and wonder of the natural world

6. Solidarity – We Are One Human Family

"If you want peace, work for justice." – Pope Paul VI
We live out solidarity by:

• Supporting global and local causes
• Showing compassion and empathy
• Taking action for fairness and equality
• Building friendships across differences

7. Option for the Poor – Putting the Vulnerable First

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat… a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35–40
We support those in need by:

• Fundraising for charitable causes
• Raising awareness about inequality
• Treating all with compassion and dignity
• Thinking about the needs of others before our own

Living the Mission Every Day

Catholic Social Teaching is not a topic we learn once—it is a way of life at Sacred Heart. Through our curriculum, worship, charitable activities, and everyday choices, we encourage all children to grow into people of integrity, ready to make a positive difference in the world.

Together, rooted in our Catholic values and respectful of all faiths, we work for the common good—building a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world, one act of love at a time.