Living the Gospel through Faith, Service and Community.

At Gunnersbury Catholic School, our Catholic identity is at the heart of everything we do. Working closely with local parishes and organisations, we nurture an active Christian life for our students and wider community.

Service is a key part of a Gunnersbury education. Guided by Catholic Social Teaching, students take part in volunteering and charitable projects that build awareness of local, national and global issues, while using their God-given gifts to support others. Our Sixth Form volunteering programme in local primary schools, blood donations, care homes and within our lower school lessons show how young people live out Gospel values in practical ways.

We mirror the Church's year in school and celebrate important events, such as Lent, Advent and Holy Days of Obligation, as well as celebrating feast days in the Church's calendar. Each week, Fr Keith, and other local priests and ethic priests celebrate Mass for us in school in the Chapel on Friday lunchtimes.  A chance for form groups to prayer together for the school, local and world community.

Prayer and Liturgy are central to school life. From daily prayer to whole-school celebrations, our community gathers regularly to worship together. Our commitment to liturgy ensures our worship honours the dignity of every individual and reflects the richness of our community.

Through these opportunities, Gunnersbury students grow in faith, service and leadership, living out the Gospel values each day.

Prayer and Liturgy

We have developed a comprehensive programme of prayer and liturgy that mirrors the Church’s liturgical year. Our aim is to offer pupils a wide range of prayer experiences that grow in depth and complexity as they move through the school.

Holy Mass is at the heart of our worship and provides a special opportunity for pupils, staff, parents and families to come together as one community to hear God’s Word and share in the Eucharist.

Mass is celebrated weekly in our school Chapel on Fridays, and each Year Group attends Mass termly at our parish church, Our Lady and St John. We also mark important moments in school life with special celebrations, including the Year 7 Liturgy of Welcome in the autumn term, Advent Liturgies, Ash Wednesday services, Lenten Liturgies, Feast Day reflections and Liturgies to celebrate our leavers in Y11 and Y13 in the summer term.

Our liturgies are supported by staff and students who serve as altar servers, readers, writing and delivering bidding prayers, lighting candles, welcoming students to Mass etc helping to make our school Masses a true expression of faith, service and community.

 

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer is available in the Chapel every Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday at 8.10am, all staff and students are welcome.  There are opportunities for students and staff to lead if they would like. It is a wonderful way to grow in confidence, faith and community, while placing Christ at the centre of our daily lives.

In form time, each day begins with a collective prayer either in form time or as a year group.  Mondays always begin with the School Jubilee Prayer.

Each subject lesson begins with a prayer written especially by departments.

The ‘Wednesday Word’ shares Sunday’s Gospel with students in tutor time and also with families.

Reconciliation

At Gunnersbury, we strive to give all pupils a deep appreciation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. With the support of parish priests who celebrate Mass with us each week, the sacrament is made available at key times in the school year, Advent and Lent.

At the heart of our school is our beautiful Chapel, a sacred space open to all members of the community. Staff and students are encouraged to take time here for prayer, reflection and quiet. The Chapel also provides a setting for many different forms of liturgy and worship throughout the year.

Our spiritual life is further enriched by our focus on Catholic Social Teaching, which inspires students to put their faith into action. Through lessons, assemblies, volunteering and daily school life, we encourage pupils to live out the Gospel values by recognising the dignity of every person, working for the common good, showing solidarity with those in need and caring for God’s creation.

By engaging with Catholic Social Teaching from Year 7 through to Year 13, our students develop a deep understanding of justice, service and responsibility. This shapes them not only as thoughtful and compassionate young people, but also as active citizens who are ready to make a positive difference in their local, national and global communities.

As a school community, we gather not only to celebrate the Church’s seasons and special events, but also to support one another in times of challenge or need — always united in faith, hope and love.