In this Advent update, Jo Stow, our Common Good Schools Project Leader, shares her excitement for the year ahead. She introduces the brand-new Common Good Schools programme for primary schools, unveils the Common Good Schools Bursary Fund, and highlights an inspiring film from our partner school, Alsop High. Jo also previews our upcoming activities and speaking engagements for 2026, and invites you to get involved—whether by joining in or praying for this vital work.

One of the characteristics of the Common Good is reciprocity. As we approach Christmas, we would like to offer you an opportunity to exchange gifts. Our gift to you is a taster of the new Common Good Schools programme for primary schools, and in return we invite you to contribute to the Common Good Schools Bursary Fund to enable schools on low budgets to participate.

Our Christmas Gift to You!

In February we will be launching our brand-new Common Good Schools programme for primary schools. This free sample pack contains all materials for teaching week one of the programme. Like what you see and want your primary school to get involved? Register your interest here so that we can plan well for the launch which will take place in Lent 2026.

Giving a gift to a school

The Common Good Schools programme brings significant benefits to schools who take part. But right now, many schools are stretched financially. The cost for a secondary school to take part in the programme is £500 in their first year, and £250 per year thereafter. We currently know of four schools who would like to join but do not have the funds available. To enable every school, regardless of resources, to access the transformative benefits of the programme, we have established the Common Good Schools Bursary Fund. Please help us build up this fund and enable schools struggling financially to play an active role in building stronger local communities. You can contribute here

News from the community of Walton and Alsop High School

We are delighted to bring some wonderful news from our long term partner Peter Bull at Alsop High School. After the riots of August 2024 in Walton, Alsop High School invited Jimmy Mulville to work with their young people and pupils of Arnot St Mary CE School. As a result, Jimmy, who is Managing Director of Hat Trick Productions, commissioned a production team to produce the powerful and poignant documentary People and Place. It tells an inspiring and hopeful local story, challenging recent negative narratives about Walton. The film spotlights the community’s creativity and resilience, and features Alsop students talking about their aspirations. Read more here. Watch the film here.

Activities in the diary for 2026

• Lent 2026 Launch of the Common Good Schools for KS2 programme 
• 12 March Jenny will address head teachers at the EducareM retreat
• 20 March Jo & Jenny will address the St Teresa of Calcutta Trust Mission Leadership Conference
• 17 April Jenny will give the keynote at the Pope Francis MAT Mission Leaders Conference
• 12 May Jenny will address Deputy Head Teachers at the Archdiocese of Southwark 
• 3 June Jo will address Woodard Schools Chaplains Conference
• 3 July Jenny will address the St Joseph MAT Mission Conference in Liverpool

Get involved

We’d love you to join in. Here are some suggestions to consider:

• Part of a MAT? Share this page with your colleagues across the Trust
• For high schools, find out more about what being a Common Good School entails
• Make a donation and support more young people to build the common good
• Contribute to the Common Good Schools Bursary Fund
• Volunteer for us – we are looking for someone to help with comms and marketing

Prayers please

We would appreciate your prayers this autumn for our work in the coming months:

• For financial support to enable schools struggling financially to join Common Good Schools
• For Jo and Jenny as they speak to senior leaders and those responsible for the Christian life and mission of their schools
• For new schools, young people and staff as they join Common Good Schools
• For our team as we prepare to launch the KS2 programme in Lent
• For our partner schools as they enable young people to build relationships in their communities

Jo Stow, Project Leader, Common Good Schools

T4CG’s Common Good Schools programme equips schools to enable children and young people develop skills around building relationships and taking responsibility. Schools acting as good neighbours in their communities not only strengthen their own students but make a tangible contribution to the shared life of their neighbourhood. Find out more and arrange a conversation with Jo here