Spiritual Life

First and foremost, St. Joseph’s is a Roman Catholic School. Our mission commits us to respond to the message of the Gospels and the example of Jesus Christ, and to make this evident in all aspects of school life. Throughout the school year we offer pupils numerous opportunities to share liturgies, and we see this as central to the life of the school.

We had a mass on Induction Day, and a major item on the school calendar is the Year 7 Mass of Welcome, to which all parents are invited. There is a voluntary mass at least once per week, and we mark the end of each term with liturgies. We observe the Church’s calendar and, for example, we provide opportunities to say the Rosary in October, and follow the stations of the Cross in Lent. We hold Advent Services and Carol Services at Christmas in school and in the community. Lenten services are held during Holy Week.

We begin and end each day with a prayer, and each week there is a Year assembly and a Whole School assembly.

Following our inspection in April 2010 by the Diocese of Salford, the Visiting Inspector wrote…

“The school’s leadership and management of its Catholic life is outstanding. All members of the school community recognise the way in which the headteacher leads by example in ensuring that its Mission Statement becomes a reality of its everyday life, ably supported by leaders at all levels including the senior pupils. This is well exemplified in the way that a commitment to care, fairness and respect are strongly evident and seen to underpin relationships throughout the school.”