The Living Partnership Between Parish and School in St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust

As the STCAT Director of Mission and a Catholic School Inspector, I have had the privilege of visiting many Catholic schools over the years. What continually amazes me is that, while they share so much in common, each school is beautifully unique. And hand on heart, I can say that I have never stepped into a Catholic school where I wouldn’t be proud to send my own children. So what is it that makes them so special and why does it matter? 

Belonging to Christ and His Church 

At the heart of every Catholic school lies a simple but profound truth: the school ultimately belongs to Christ and, through Him, to His community, the Church. A Catholic school is never an isolated institution; it is part of the living, breathing life of the parish. It stands firmly within the mission of the local church community, rooted in the Gospel and supported by the faith of the people who worship just a few metres away. 

In the south of Northampton Diocese, 28 churches are served by 20 schools, most of which belong to St Thomas Catholic Academy Trust. At their best, our schools and churches work together as one body in Christ, witnessing to faith through genuine partnership. 

Faith in Action: Living Catholic Social Teaching 

Across the Trust, we see this partnership come alive in many ways: through Youth Masses, through Mini Vinnies collaborating with parish St Vincent de Paul groups, and through connections with the Legion of Mary. These experiences help our children live out Catholic Social Teaching in practical and meaningful ways.  

At St Peter’s in Marlow, pupils make weekly visits to Sir Aubrey Ward House, a wonderful care home for older people and those living with dementia. Whether taking part in lively Zumba sessions or helping to nurture the garden, the children form real and lasting bonds with the residents. 

At St Joseph’s High School in Slough, the entire school community celebrates their feast day by going out into the community to serve - a living expression of their mission statement, Unlocking Belief in All, and the virtues they hold dear. They support local primary schools, both Catholic and non-Catholic, and visit care homes and hospitals to offer companionship and kindness. 

At my own school, Our Lady’s in Chesham Bois, our Mini Vinnies regularly host afternoon tea for elderly parishioners, with the support of the St Vincent de Paul Society, who arrange transport. These simple acts of service open the door to deeper involvement in the life of the parish and help our children understand what it truly means to belong. 

Growing Faith Through Community 

At its very best, the encounter that children and staff have with Jesus, through their schools and parishes, can lead to something deeply personal and transformative: a desire receive the sacrament of baptism. This is rarely the result of a single moment. Instead, it grows from the steady experience of faith lived out in community. 

Our schools need our parishes, and our parishes need our schools. Without our parishes, our schools would not exist; a Catholic school simply cannot be Catholic without the Church. We are here to serve. However, our parishes need our schools as part of their outward facing expression of faith. They support families, nurture young disciples, and are places of welcome and evangelisation. They help our Catholic communities stay alive, flourish, and grow. 

Working together, we can look ahead with confidence: a future full of hope, full of faith, and full of love.