CATHOLIC LIFE
Catholic Schools share many features with other schools. They share the central mission of passing on the cultural and scientific heritage to the next generation, and of encouraging the personal growth of each pupil through good teaching, outstanding pastoral care and the creation of an effective school community. Catholic schools also draw distinctive features from their Christian heritage and the way in which they combine their educational and religious missions. The following helps to answer a few questions you may have about Catholic schools.
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DO I HAVE TO BE CATHOLIC TO ATTND ILSLEY?
No, but Catholic schools do expect all of their students to be respectful and take part in acts of collective worship. An act of collective worship will take place every day and can include everything from a prayer in tutor time, an assembly, a liturgical service to a full mass in church. At Archbishop Ilsley, pupils of all faiths and none are welcome assuming they and their families accept our Catholic ethos. This ethos permeates our curriculum and acts of collective worship including the use of the chapel and parish church for masses and services. We do also have a multi-faith prayer room available for pupils to use.
HOW OFTEN IS MASS CELEBRATED IN SCHOOL?
This will vary from school to school. At Archbishop Ilsley all students will have a mass with their tutor group, a mass as part of their house and whole school masses on special occasions such as at Christmas and Easter and on Holy Days of Obligation such as All Saints Day. All students are expected to attend, participate if Christian and behave in a reverent manner.
WHAT OTHER RELIGIOUS OPPERTUNITIES ARE THERE?
Most Catholic schools will encourage pupils to get involved in the school which includes actively celebrating and participating in their faith. This may include singing at masses, being an altar server, organising charity events, leading acts of collective worship or even going on retreats and pilgrimages. This is certainly true of Archbishop Ilsley. In the past few years we have taken students on retreat to Alton Castle and been on pilgrimage to Lourdes and Rome.
WHAT DO STUDENTS STUDY IN RE AT SCHOOL?
All Catholic schools will focus on Christianity and Catholicism as the core of their studies with an exploration of other world faiths as well to prepare students for life in multi-cultural Britain. At GCSE, all school have to study two world faiths; in Catholic school that will be Catholicism and Judaism.
TOP TIP:
It doesn't matter what your faith is, our school celebrates loads of religious events for many other religions as well. Get involved with all celebrations and get to know more about other religions and cultures!
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