Mission Statement
At Carleton House Preparatory School, our mission statement — “We live, love and learn with Jesus” — is at the heart of our daily life.
Catholic Life and Mission are not separate from school life; they shape our relationships, our environment and the experiences of every member of our community. We are proud to be a caring, inclusive Catholic school where faith is lived, shared and experienced each day.
A Living Mission
Our mission is visible in the life of the school:
- In the quality of relationships between staff and pupils
- In the care and respect shown within our community
- In the way pupils are supported to reflect on their actions and choices
- In the strong sense of belonging and inclusion for all
Pupils understand that faith is not just something we learn about, but something we live through our actions, attitudes and relationships.
A Caring and Inclusive Community
Carleton House is a school where every child is known, valued and supported.
We are proud to serve a diverse and multicultural community, and we warmly welcome families from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and faith traditions. This diversity enriches the life of our school and reflects the universal nature of the Catholic Church.
Guided by Gospel values, we promote:
- Respect for the dignity of every person
- A strong sense of belonging for all
- Positive relationships rooted in kindness, compassion and understanding
Pupils are encouraged to recognise and celebrate difference, developing respect for others and an appreciation of the richness that diversity brings to our community.
As a result, Carleton House is a place where all feel included, respected and able to flourish — both as individuals and as members of a faith-filled community.
Mission in Action: Mission Statement Review Day
As part of our commitment to ensuring that our mission is fully lived and understood, we recently held a Mission Statement Review Day.
During an INSET day, staff and governors came together in prayer and reflection to evaluate how our mission is experienced across the school.
Through prayer, discussion and collaborative working, we explored three key areas:
- How we live with Jesus through our actions and relationships
- How we love with Jesus through care, compassion and service
- How we learn with Jesus through high-quality teaching and spiritual development
This process enabled us to celebrate what we do well, while also identifying clear and purposeful next steps for further development.
Listening to Pupil Voice
The following day, when children returned to school we invited them to share their reflections. Children in Years 5 and 6, alongside pupils from Years 3 and 4, came together with Mrs Coleman in the hall for a Prayer and Liturgy.
Then in groups they discussed what our mission means to them and how it is lived out in school. They shared thoughtful and honest insights, demonstrating a strong understanding of our values and how these shape their daily experiences.
Younger children in EYFS and in Years 1 and 2 also contributed, sharing their ideas with their teachers in class. Their responses provided valuable and age-appropriate reflections, highlighting how even our youngest pupils understand and live out our mission.
Key strengths across our school:
- We are a genuinely caring and inclusive Catholic community
- Relationships across the school are a significant strength
- Our mission is lived daily through actions and attitudes
- Prayer, Religious Education and Catholic Life are strong and embedded
Alongside celebrating our strengths, we identified clear priorities to continue strengthening our mission:
- Increasing pupil leadership opportunities in prayer, liturgy and Catholic Life
- Making our mission more explicit, supporting pupils to articulate why we do what we do
- Strengthening links beyond the classroom through parish engagement, outreach and service
Moving Forward Together
This review confirmed that our mission is not just something we say — it is something we live every day.
As a school community, we now move forward with renewed purpose and shared commitment. The reflections from these two days will directly shape our future planning, ensuring that our mission continues to be visible, consistent and fully understood by all.
Together, we will continue to
