Prayer & Liturgy

Prayer and Liturgy policy

Prayer and Liturgy are central to life at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. They help us to grow in faith, show our love for God and strengthen our school community. Through daily prayer, class liturgies and whole-school Masses, we learn to live out the values of the Gospel and to care for one another as part of God’s family.

Below, you will see that our pupil chaplains created a thoughtful and welcoming video to help younger children and new members of our school community learn how to bless themselves and understand the meaning behind the Sign of the Cross.

In the video, the chaplains gently demonstrate how to make the Sign of the Cross — beginning with the forehead, then the chest and finally each shoulder — while clearly saying the words, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Our School Chapel

Our school chapel is a peaceful and sacred space at the heart of our community. Opened and blessed by Archbishop Vincent Nichols in 2013, it provides a quiet place for prayer, reflection and worship for pupils and staff throughout the year.

Used regularly for pupil prayer time, Masses, chaplaincy meetings, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the chapel is a living part of our school’s faith life. All staff are invited to attend First Friday Mass each month, celebrated by Father George or Father Moses, bringing our community together in prayer.

The chapel reflects the seasons of the Church — with Mary brought forward for devotion in October and May, a crib at Christmas, and special Lenten and Easter displays. Pupils visit with their teachers at key liturgical times, while Pupil Chaplains lead younger children in prayer on a rota basis during lunchtimes. Older pupils are also welcome to visit independently for quiet reflection.

A beautiful stained-glass window, designed with children’s input, fills the space with colour and light. The walls are also decorated with the Stations of the Cross, again, designed by our past pupils. From the outside, our Passionist school logo can be seen, symbolising our shared identity as a community rooted in compassion, faith and hope.

Our Parish Churches

St. Joseph’s, our parish church in Highgate, is at the heart of our school’s faith life. We gather there regularly to celebrate whole-school Masses and special liturgical events. Each class also attends its own First Friday Mass and there are class visits throughout the year, helping our pupils grow in faith and community.

We also share a close connection with St. Gabriel’s of Our Lady of Sorrows, where our classes attend First Friday Masses with Father Moses. These occasions provide a special opportunity for prayer, reflection and deepening our sense of belonging within the wider parish family.

Prayer progression books

EYFS Prayer Book

Year 1 & 2 Prayer Book

Year 3 & 4 Prayer Book

Year 5 & 6 Prayer Book