Our School Vision Statement

Go, shine in the world and live as Jesus lived

Our School motto is based upon Matthew 5: 14-16

Vision and Values

Our school offers a distinctly Catholic education in an inclusive environment, welcoming children and staff of all faiths and none.

‘To have eyes for the good things of the Lord is to live by faith, to see life with the eyes of faith.'
Cardinal Vincent Nichols

As a community, we have identified nine core values that stem from our Vision and are woven in to the very fabric of the school. We expect all members of the school community-pupils, staff, governors, clergy- to model these. These are also closely linked to the four foundations of our curriculum design.

1. Educating for Wisdom, Knowledge and Skills (value link - excellence)
2. Educating for Hope and Aspiration (value link - determination and inspiration)
3. Educating for Community and Living Well Together (value link - compassion, integrity, friendship)
4. Educating for Dignity and Respect (value link - honesty, integrity, respect)

Determination This means resolution, resolve, willpower. “Stand firm, and you will win life.” (Luke 21:19)

Respect This means regard highly, value, honour. “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31)

Friendship This means mutual trust and support. “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

Inspiration This means the process of being given passion and/or ideas for a task “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Excellence This means being outstanding or extremely good “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Community This connects us with each other. “We who are many, are one body in Christ.” (Romans 12:5)

Compassion This means having a deep awareness and sympathy for another's suffering. “When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34)

Honesty This means truthfulness, loyalty, fairness, sincerity. “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” (Proverbs 12:2)

Integrity This means having strong moral principles e.g. honesty, decency, fairness, equality; having pure and balanced moral character. “Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

The distinctive nature of our approach to education can be found in our explicit Christian values, our Collective Worship, our grounded Catholic ethos and in our Religious Education.

As a Catholic school we believe every child is made in the image of God, and therefore we want the best for them. We value our school community as a place where love can flourish.

Our vision and values are at the core of everything we do. In order for us to think about and understand how Jesus lived his life, we underpin our teaching and learning with the stories and parables from the Bible. We also provide an environment which fully prepares the children to be confident, compassionate, honest and happy human beings so that they can:

Go, shine in the world and live as Jesus lived

Our School motto is based upon Matthew 5: 14-16

Where does our Christian vision come from?

Our school vision has its roots in the gospel of St Matthew who walked with Jesus during his ministry.

‘’You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives off light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven.’’

St Joseph’s is a voluntary aided school with strong Catholic traditions. It is affiliated to two parishes whose churches are, the church of Saints Anselm and St Cecilia and Corpus Christi Church. Of the latter Cardinal Vincent Nichols said, “If anybody is ever in London and in Covent Garden, please come to Corpus Christi Church in Maiden Lane. You will get a glimpse of Heaven and an embrace of God’s mercy, peace and calmness in the midst of a busy city.”

The Macklin Street school came under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Westminster and was opened in 1852.

As a Church school, we enjoy close links with the both parishes. Clergy from both are frequent visitors to the school.  There is a programme of assemblies and liturgies in school throughout the three terms. Pupils visit the churches regularly to attend masses and services during the Christian year.