Mission Matters – EducareM

From our community

A fresh look and resources to support your mission

Celebrating our refreshed website

Thank you to Martin Johnson for his work on EducareM’s refreshed website and visual identity. Explore our programmes, formation opportunities and resources, and share them with colleagues in your school, diocese or trust.

Explore EducareM

48 reading choices with a Catholic lens

St Bernadette’s Catholic Creative Curriculum Reading Spine – Learning for Life brings together 48 anchor-text entries from Nursery to Year 6. Each connects reading with Catholic Social Teaching, Scripture, virtues, curriculum opportunities, and prayer or mission in action.

Grateful thanks to Julie Taylor, Deputy Headteacher at St Bernadette’s RC Primary School, Kenton. Explore the complete reading spine below.

Explore the reading spine

New and refreshed resources

Formation for the whole school community

New: Governing with Hope

Bring Catholic mission into the conversations and decisions of your governing board. This new formation resource brings together Church teaching, questions for challenge and support, and prayer.

The 2026–2027 series follows six half-termly themes. Hope and Love for the Poor are available now, with further reflections to follow. Bonus reflections and a guide to key Vatican education documents offer additional starting points.

At your next meeting: choose a reflection, allow 10–15 minutes for discussion and prayer, and agree one action to revisit together.

Explore Governing with Hope

Begin with Hope · Reflect on Love for the Poor

Formation for Every Member of Staff

A year of short sessions for colleagues across every school role, combining Church teaching, school situations, discussion, prayer and practical commitments.

Explore whole-staff formation

New to working in a Catholic school

A starting point for induction and reflection on Catholic identity, prayer, professional responsibilities and everyday school life.

Explore the induction resource

Leadership with purpose

Resources for middle leaders and new headteachers connect vocation, relationships and school improvement with Catholic mission.

Middle Leadership with Purpose

New Headteachers: Leading with Faith

Ten practical school resources

Explore curriculum, inclusion, pupil leadership, prayer, school and parish partnership, digital life, difficult decisions and reviewing mission. Publications and selected archive material remain available too.

Browse the expanded collection

National School of Formation

Opportunities to reconnect and renew

Reconnect 2026: Resetting the Vision

Thursday 12–Friday 13 November 2026
Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry

Join our National School of Formation community for reflection, fellowship and renewed purpose. Graduates are warmly invited; colleagues new to EducareM can contact us about joining the gathering.

Contributors include Bishop Timothy Menezes, Dr Joseph Kelly and Tom Chigbo.

Reconnect details & booking

15th Annual National Retreat

Thursday 10–Friday 11 June 2027
Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry

Missionary Discipleship in Joy and Hope

Make space for prayer, reflection and spiritual renewal with Fr Columba Jordan CFR, with music ministry from CJM MUSIC.

The grounds of Coombe Abbey offer a setting in which to pause, give thanks and return to your community with renewed purpose.

Explore the retreat & register

Primary resource · Nursery to Year 6

Reading, faith and action

St Bernadette’s Catholic Creative Curriculum Reading Spine – Learning for Life

This resource helps children connect stories with dignity, belonging, solidarity, care for creation and justice. Its progression moves from sharing and kindness towards responsibility, participation and challenging injustice.

Use the suggested connections as a starting point for planning. Teachers should read each text and select suitable editions or extracts for their pupils.

See · Judge · Act · Pray

See: what is happening? Who is flourishing, excluded, hurt or unheard?
Judge: what do Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching help us understand?
Act: what practical response could we make?
Pray: what should we bring before God?

Download the reading spine (Word)

Explore the complete reading spine · eight year groups

Open a year group to view its theme, intended learning and six half-term entries. CST means Catholic Social Teaching.

Nursery — God made me, God made you, God made our world

Intended learning: God loves everybody. Everybody matters. We belong together, share God’s gifts and care for God’s world.

Nursery · six half-term entries
Half term	Book and author	CST focus	Scripture	Catholic virtue	Curriculum / writing	Celebration / mission
1	All Are Welcome — Alexandra Penfold	Human dignity; common good	Genesis 1:27	Love	Families, belonging, self-portraits; “All about me”	Thank God for every person; create a class welcome promise
2	The Family Book — Todd Parr	Dignity; solidarity	Mark 10:13–16	Love	Families and communities; speaking and listening	Pray for our families; family gratitude display
3	The Rainbow Fish — Marcus Pfister	Distributive justice; common good	Acts 2:44–47	Generosity	Sharing, number, sea life; oral retelling	Prayer about sharing; class sharing challenge
4	Dear Earth — Isabel Otter	Stewardship	Genesis 2:15	Wonder	Creation, habitats, seasonal change; messages to Earth	Creation prayer walk; care for one part of the school grounds
5	The Lion and the Mouse — Jerry Pinkney	Dignity; solidarity	Luke 6:31	Kindness	Animals, size, helping; story sequencing	Thank God for people who help us; kindness chain
6	Peace at Last — Jill Murphy	Promoting peace	John 14:27	Peace	Home, sounds, senses; retelling	Simple peace prayer; make a classroom peace space

Reception — Jesus notices everyone

Intended learning: Jesus sees people others sometimes miss. We can notice, include, give and care.

Reception · six half-term entries
Half term	Book and author	CST focus	Scripture	Catholic virtue	Curriculum / writing	Celebration / mission
1	The Invisible — Tom Percival	Dignity; preferential option for the poor	Mark 10:46–52	Compassion	Community, feelings; character descriptions	“Jesus sees us” worship; notice someone who may feel left out
2	The Smartest Giant in Town — Julia Donaldson	Solidarity; distributive justice	Matthew 25:35–40	Generosity	Clothing and materials; thank-you writing	Gifts and generosity prayer; practical giving project
3	Tidy — Emily Gravett	Stewardship; common good	Psalm 24:1	Care	Habitats, environment; instructions	Creation thanksgiving; improve an outdoor area
4	Last Stop on Market Street — Matt de la Peña	Preferential option for the poor; dignity	Luke 10:25–37	Compassion	Local community, journeys; recount	Good Samaritan reflection; community kindness action
5	The Koala Who Could — Rachel Bright	Dignity; participation	Isaiah 43:1	Courage	Change, Australia; speech and thought bubbles	Prayer for courage; encourage someone else
6	Here We Are — Oliver Jeffers	Common good; stewardship	Genesis 1:31	Gratitude	World, maps, people; class guide to Earth	Creation Celebration of the Word; eco-promise

Year 1 — Everyone belongs

Intended learning: Every person has God-given dignity. Christians welcome, respect and stand beside other people.

Year 1 · six half-term entries
Half term	Book and author	CST focus	Scripture	Catholic virtue	Curriculum / writing	Celebration / mission
1	The Lion Inside — Rachel Bright	Human dignity	1 Samuel 16:7	Courage	Identity, animals; character writing	God sees what is inside; affirm another person’s gifts
2	Beegu — Alexis Deacon	Solidarity; dignity	Matthew 25:35	Hospitality	Belonging, space; letters and home descriptions	Welcome prayer; improve class welcome for newcomers
3	Somebody Swallowed Stanley — Sarah Roberts	Stewardship	Genesis 2:15	Responsibility	Oceans, materials, pollution; information text	Prayer for creation; reduce single-use plastic
4	The Proudest Blue — Ibtihaj Muhammad & S. K. Ali	Dignity; peace	John 13:34	Respect	Identity, faith and community; descriptive writing	Pray for respect; anti-bullying and welcome pledge
5	Lubna and Pebble — Wendy Meddour	Solidarity; preferential option for the poor	Luke 10:33–37	Compassion	Home, displacement; letters	Prayer for children without secure homes; appropriate charity awareness
6	The Curious Garden — Peter Brown	Stewardship; participation	Genesis 1:28	Hope	Plants, cities; instructions and explanation	Creation prayer; plant something for the community

Year 2 — God’s gifts are for everyone

Intended learning: The world is God’s gift, but its gifts are meant for everybody. Christians notice unfairness and respond.

Year 2 · six half-term entries
Half term	Book and author	CST focus	Scripture	Catholic virtue	Curriculum / writing	Celebration / mission
1	The Last Chip — Duncan Beedie	Preferential option for the poor; distributive justice	Matthew 25:35	Generosity	Hunger, needs and wants; narrative	Eucharistic theme of sharing; support or learn about a food bank
2	The Promise — Nicola Davies	Stewardship; common good	Matthew 13:31–32	Hope	Plants, urban environments; persuasive writing	Hope and creation worship; seed or planting project
3	The Wall in the Middle of the Book — Jon Agee	Peace; solidarity	Ephesians 2:14	Reconciliation	Barriers, perspective; alternative endings	Peace prayer; investigate how barriers can be removed
4	Clean Up! — Nathan Bryon	Stewardship; participation	Psalm 104	Responsibility	Oceans, Caribbean; campaign posters	Creation worship; pupil-led litter or environment campaign
5	Those Shoes — Maribeth Boelts	Dignity; distributive justice	Luke 3:11	Generosity	Wants versus needs; diary writing	Prayer for generosity; rethink consumption
6	What a Waste — Jess French	Common good; stewardship	Genesis 2:15	Temperance	Waste, recycling; non-fiction report	Laudato Si’ reflection; class waste audit

Year 3 — Faith calls us to act

Intended learning: Being Christian is not only believing something. Our choices and actions can help restore God’s world and uphold other people’s dignity.

Year 3 · six half-term entries
Half term	Book and author	CST focus	Scripture	Catholic virtue	Curriculum / writing	Celebration / mission
1	Wangari’s Trees of Peace — Jeanette Winter	Stewardship; participation	Matthew 5:14–16	Courage	Kenya, ecosystems; biography	Creation and vocation; school planting project
2	The Tin Forest — Helen Ward	Stewardship; hope	Isaiah 35:1–2	Hope	Habitats, regeneration; setting descriptions	Hope-filled creation worship; biodiversity action
3	The Day War Came — Nicola Davies	Peace; solidarity; dignity	Matthew 25:35	Compassion	Refugees, conflict; poetry	Peace and refugee prayer; welcome-chair symbolic action
4	The Boy Who Grew Dragons — Andy Shepherd	Participation; common good	1 Corinthians 12:4–7	Responsibility	Plants, communities; narrative	Gifts used for others; collaborative community project
5	The Street Beneath My Feet — Charlotte Guillain	Stewardship	Psalm 24:1	Wonder	Rocks, soils, Earth’s resources; explanation	Wonder at creation; responsible-resource enquiry
6	The Water Princess — Susan Verde	Distributive justice; preferential option for the poor	John 4:7–14	Justice	Water, Africa; persuasive letter	Water prayer; investigate unequal water access and action

Year 4 — Who is my neighbour?

Intended learning: My neighbour is not only somebody like me or somebody who lives nearby. Solidarity crosses borders. This reflects the heart of Fratelli Tutti: fraternity reaches beyond geographical boundaries and recognises the dignity of people wherever they come from.

Year 4 · six half-term entries
Half term	Book and author	CST focus	Scripture	Catholic virtue	Curriculum / writing	Celebration / mission
1	The Boy at the Back of the Class — Onjali Q. Raúf	Dignity; solidarity	Luke 10:25–37	Compassion	Migration, refugees; diary and newspaper writing	Who is my neighbour?; refugee welcome and awareness action
2	The Journey — Francesca Sanna	Dignity; peace	Matthew 2:13–15	Hope	Migration, maps; narrative and letters	Holy Family and refugee prayer; prayer and action for displaced families
3	One Plastic Bag — Miranda Paul	Participation; stewardship	James 2:17	Responsibility	Gambia, materials; biography and persuasion	Faith expressed through action; recycling or upcycling enterprise
4	The Promise — Nicola Davies	Common good; stewardship	Isaiah 58:11	Hope	Urban regeneration; persuasive campaign	Creation renewal worship; improve a shared space
5	Cloud Tea Monkeys — Mal Peet & Elspeth Graham	Dignity of work; preferential option for the poor	James 5:4	Justice	Trade, India; balanced discussion	Pray for workers; investigate Fairtrade
6	The Pebble in My Pocket — Meredith Hooper	Stewardship; common good	Psalm 104:24	Wonder	Rocks, deep time; explanation	Creation contemplation; local environment stewardship

Year 5 — We share responsibility for our common home

Intended learning: Human dignity brings rights and responsibilities. Environmental and social questions are connected, and communities should be enabled to participate in solutions. This connects with Laudato Si’ and its teaching on the common good, justice, solidarity, concern for people experiencing poverty and care for our common home.

Year 5 · six half-term entries
Half term	Book and author	CST focus	Scripture	Catholic virtue	Curriculum / writing	Celebration / mission
1	The Last Bear — Hannah Gold	Stewardship; common good	Genesis 2:15	Responsibility	Arctic, climate; persuasive and environmental writing	Laudato Si’ worship; measurable climate action
2	The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind — William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer	Participation; common good	Matthew 25:14–30	Perseverance	Malawi, energy, engineering; biography and explanation	Gifts serving community; STEM solution to a real need
3	Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet — Zanib Mian	Dignity; solidarity; peace	Mark 12:31	Respect	Faith, prejudice, identity; diary and debate	Love of neighbour; challenge prejudice
4	The Explorer — Katherine Rundell	Stewardship	Psalm 8	Wonder	Amazon and South America; survival narrative	Creation contemplation; rainforest advocacy
5	Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race — Margot Lee Shetterly	Dignity; participation; justice	Galatians 3:28	Fortitude	Space, equality, STEM; biography	Celebrate God-given gifts; investigate barriers to participation
6	A Long Walk to Water — Linda Sue Park	Distributive justice; solidarity	Isaiah 58:10–11	Justice	Sudan, water, development; dual narrative and report	Prayer for justice; water-access campaign

Year 6 — Christians are called to work for justice

Intended learning: Justice involves more than individual acts of kindness. Christians should ask why injustice exists, listen to those affected, challenge unjust structures and work with others for the common good.

Year 6 · six half-term entries
Half term	Book and author	CST focus	Scripture	Catholic virtue	Curriculum / writing	Celebration / mission
1	The Night Bus Hero — Onjali Q. Raúf	Dignity; preferential option for the poor	Matthew 25:40	Compassion	Homelessness; viewpoint writing	Christ in the marginalised; homelessness awareness and action
2	Refugee — Alan Gratz	Dignity; solidarity; peace	Leviticus 19:33–34	Courage	Migration and history; comparative narrative	Peace and displaced peoples; advocacy project
3	Trash — Andy Mulligan	Justice; preferential option for the poor; dignity	Amos 5:24	Justice	Inequality, waste; investigative journalism	Justice-themed Celebration of the Word; investigate structural poverty
4	The Island — Armin Greder	Dignity; solidarity; peace	Luke 10:25–37	Compassion	Exclusion, prejudice; argument and debate	Examination of conscience about exclusion; pupil-led response
5	No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference — selected extracts, Greta Thunberg	Participation; subsidiarity; stewardship	1 Timothy 4:12	Courage	Climate, citizenship; speeches	Creation and responsibility; pupil advocacy
6	When Stars Are Scattered — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed	Dignity; solidarity; participation	Micah 6:8	Hope	Refugees, education, rights; memoir and reflection	Leavers’ mission: “What does God ask of us?”; legacy social-action project

A secondary resource is being prepared. Look out for further updates in Mission Matters.

Faith that becomes action

Building the Kingdom

Building the Kingdom is a National School of Formation initiative led by Sr Judith Russi SSMN. It supports primary and secondary schools in embedding a distinctively Catholic approach across the curriculum.

The programme connects National Curriculum learning with Catholic Social Teaching, Gospel values, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, and the liturgical calendar. Big questions help pupils think deeply about the world and their responsibility within it.

Across three progressive levels, schools develop curriculum design and purposeful pupil oracy, including Building the Kingdom Talks, so that learning leads to advocacy and faithful action.

Oracy for Advocacy: every voice matters

Developed by Sr Judith and graduate headteachers from the National School of Formation, Oracy for Advocacy supports pupils from Key Stages 2 to 5 to speak with confidence and purpose about social justice.

Hear the quieter voice: encourage pupils who may not usually volunteer to speak.
Connect faith and evidence: explore real issues through Catholic Social Teaching, research and reflection.
Speak to decision-makers: prepare informed contributions that call for practical change.

This work can help schools show how pupil voice, moral development and Catholic mission are lived in practice. Its value lies in pupils’ participation and growth, supported by evidence of what they learn and do.

To discuss a project for your school, cluster, diocese or trust, contact Sr Judith Russi SSMN.

Discover Oracy for Advocacy

Pause and reflect

Pope Leo XIV: education as a shared mission

In Drawing New Maps of Hope, Pope Leo XIV presents education as the formation of the whole person. Drawing on Saint Augustine, he describes teaching that awakens a desire for truth, develops freedom and helps learners listen to their inner voice.

“Christian education is a collective endeavour: no one educates alone.”

Teachers, pupils, families and the wider community all share in this mission. The Pope also calls for digital technology and artificial intelligence to serve human dignity, while protecting the relationships and human creativity at the heart of education.

A question for your next staff or governor meeting: how are we making time for the relationships that help every person in our community flourish?

Read Pope Leo’s letter

Featured reading · 8 September 2026

Wrong Measure, Wrong Verdict: Why Catholic Schools Are Not Failing the Poor

A reflection by Declan Linnane, Chair of EducareM, published by the Catholic Union.

Declan examines the measures used in debates about disadvantage and faith-school admissions. He argues for careful interpretation of the evidence alongside honest scrutiny of whether Catholic schools fulfil their mission to serve children and families experiencing poverty.

For discussion: where might our admissions arrangements, daily routines or school culture create a barrier for a family—and what could we change?

Read Declan’s full article

In prayer and remembrance

Remembering Marie Garside CBE

We ask the EducareM community to pray for the repose of the soul of Marie Garside CBE, a graduate of the National School of Formation, retired secondary headteacher and former chair of directors of a Catholic trust board, who died over the summer following a period of illness.

We give thanks for Marie’s life and her service to Catholic education. We hold her family, friends and the school communities she served in our prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.

May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Keep the conversation going

Let us celebrate your story

How is Catholic Social Teaching shaping life in your school? What has your involvement with the National School of Formation inspired you to do?

Share your stories, reflections and examples of mission in action for future editions of Mission Matters. Tag EducareM where you follow us on social media, or send your news directly to our team.

Send us your news

Spread the word. Please share Mission Matters with colleagues in your diocese or trust who are not yet part of the EducareM community.

News, stories and updates from EducareM

A new year of hope