94% of parents agree or strongly agree that the school welcomes parents to share in the religious, spiritual and cultural life of the school. Parent Survey March 2019
The headteacher, senior leadership team, governors and other leaders share a common Christian vision and, through example, inspire a strong sense of purpose, vision and mission.
RE Inspection March 2020
Motto
Our school motto is ‘In our school every day we learn, love and pray.’
Mission
“A learning community, celebrating Christ in all, building a kingdom of love, hope and joy”
Values
The values we cherish are…
- Christian values of forgiveness and love
- Care for others, especially the vulnerable
- Respect for the beliefs of others
- Inquiring minds and a spirit of curiosity
- A love of learning and a zest for life.
St Edmund’s is a Catholic school which seeks to live out the values of Jesus Christ. We promote these values by our words and deeds, and Catholic doctrine and practice therefore permeates every aspect of our school’s activity. We provide a Catholic curriculum, which is broad and balanced, recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to discern their vocation and to be well-equipped to follow it as active citizens in service to the world. Catholic Religious Education is the “core of the core curriculum” (Pope St John Paul II) and the foundation of the entire educational process. We also provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities and strong pastoral support. We incorporate democratic principles, value the rule of law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are respected.
Our mission can only be achieved in a genuine partnership with parents, parish and community.
Our School Community
Our community is built upon mutual respect and striving to live out the gospel values. Our dedicated team of teaching and support staff are fully committed to providing the best possible education for your child. They are firmly supported by our Headteacher, Mrs Erika Kirwan, and our strong team of committed and focused Governors. As our RE inspectors noted in March 2020 The school has a positive relationship with the different groups that make up its community, and which are involved in the life of the school in a variety of ways. The school values diversity, as the ‘Mother Tongue Day’ during Pentecost highlights.
We have close ties with our Parish of Our Lady and St Edmund of Abingdon, where we come together weekly each Thursday morning to celebrate Mass and the Eucharist. We welcome our Parish Priest, Fr Jamie, into school regularly and have regular whole school Masses to celebrate important occasions such as St Edmund’s Feast Day.
In addition we have strong links with other local Abingdon schools, sharing best practice, expertise and facilities.