Catholic Social Teaching at Loyola Prep School

At Loyola Prep School, we are proud to uphold Catholic Social Teaching (CST), which is woven into our ethos, culture, and curriculum. Through CST, our pupils come to understand their role in the community and the wider world, recognising the positive impact of their choices and actions. It deepens our school’s understanding of the Church’s Mission and makes tangible links between faith and education. By embracing CST, we enrich our pupils’ learning, nurturing the whole child and supporting their spiritual, moral, and social growth.

The Catholic Church teaches six key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, which we embed in every aspect of school life—from the curriculum and assemblies to special events and activities throughout the year. To support this, we draw on Westminster’s Rooted in Love framework and CAFOD resources.

Dignity

Dignity means ‘the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect’. Therefore, ‘Dignity’ in Catholic Social Teaching means that every human being should be treated equally. This is because everybody is made in God’s image and His likeness and therefore equal in the eyes of God. This is so important that the other principles are based on this.

Community and participation

This is about our own call to be an active part of our community. God didn’t make us to live by ourselves. We’re meant to interact with others. The relationships we have help us learn about ourselves and others. Therefore, God wants us to get involved with those around us; supporting one another and helping build a better world for all. 

Creation

This is about our call to care for the world. This is because, we as Catholics, believe that the Earth and all it contains has been created as a gift for us by God. The resources of the Earth are not infinite. They have been given to us and to future generations. How we treat the Earth has a real impact on people now and in the future.

Solidarity and Peace

Solidarity means ‘agreement of feeling or action’. In Catholic Social Teaching, this means being together with other people in agreeing and promoting peace in the world. We do this because we believe we are all sisters and brothers of one another, because God made all of us in His image. We should work to make sure everyone is living in peace with each other.

Option for the Poor

This principle of Catholic Social Teaching helps us to focus on those most in need: the poor. It calls us to think carefully about people living in poverty and how we can help in our choices and actions. We cannot ignore people who are poor; we have to help them as much as we can.

Dignity of workers

Work is more than simply being able to earn money. It is about being able to support yourself and your family. It is about finding something you’re good at and feeling important. Everyone deserves to find a job they enjoy and are good at.