Other Faiths

"Do everything possible to maintain a courageous attitude and promote an environment in which young people can enter into dialogue, because interreligious dialogue is something that creates a path. If you dialogue as young people, you will dialogue more as adults, as citizens, as politicians. Interreligious dialogue is built on respect for others. This is very important. "

Pope Francis 2024

Children at St Mary's understand the significance of learning about other faiths. Learning about the religion and cultures of those who do not share the Catholic faith is one of the ways in which Catholic schools embody the call to love one’s neighbour. Our pupils live in a diverse area of London and some of our pupils are practicing members of other faiths or of no faith and therefore our school is a place of hospitality for all children. It is an act of respect and courtesy that our curriculum helps them to reflect on the nature of their own religious identity. It prepares the pupils for life in modern Britain, giving them an understanding of the beliefs of others. This in turn will improve social cohesion and contribute to the common good by increasing mutual respect between those of different religions.

Currently at the start of Autumn 2, the whole school learns about Judaism, as this has the same foundation and extensive commonality with the Christian Old Testament. In the beginning of Summer 2, pupils learn about another faith:

year 3 visit to hounslow jamia masjid.pdf