Pupils from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Chippenham, part of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, have taken part in a special shared faith experience alongside older students from Downside School.
The session brought together St Mary’s Chaplaincy group and Eco Council with Downside pupils to explore prayer, scripture and reflection as part of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year.
Exploring scripture together
Guided in Lectio Divina, a prayerful way of reading and reflecting on scripture, pupils were encouraged to think deeply about their faith and their place within the wider Catholic community.
Downside students acted as mentors, supporting the younger children through the process and modelling thoughtful, reflective discussion.
Learning across schools
The experience highlighted the value of inter-school partnership, giving pupils a meaningful opportunity to engage with the Jubilee Year’s themes of hope, reconciliation and care for creation.
It also reflected St Mary’s wider approach to education, which combines spiritual development with ethical reflection and environmental awareness.
Lucy Buckland, headteacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, said, “It was inspiring to see our pupils engage so thoughtfully with scripture and prayer, guided by the older students from Downside. The experience gave them a wonderful opportunity to explore their faith and share in the spirit of the Jubilee Year.”
Helen Taylor, CEO of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, said, “We are delighted to see St Mary’s pupils working alongside Downside students. Partnerships like this enrich faith, strengthen community, and bring the Jubilee Year to life for young people.”
