Christian Values

As a Church of England school, our Christian Values are at the heart of everything we do. Throughout the year, we place a particular focus on one value at a time, helping children develop a deeper understanding of what it means and how it can be lived out in everyday life. These values are displayed throughout our school and classrooms and are regularly referenced in lessons, conversations and daily experiences, enabling children to make meaningful connections between the values and their own lives.

Our Christian Values also form the foundation of our behaviour policy. They provide a consistent framework for discussing behaviour, celebrating positive choices and helping children understand the impact of their actions. By reflecting on our shared values, children are supported in making thoughtful decisions both in school and beyond.

Our Christian Values  are central to our school vision and were developed collaboratively by teachers, staff, governors and pupils and have continued to evolve as an integral part of school life. Rooted in biblical teaching, they help children explore the teachings of Jesus and understand how these timeless values can guide them in becoming compassionate, respectful and responsible members of an ever-changing world. 

At St Marys’ C of E Primary School, we have six Christian values which are at the heart of school life. These are:

1. Courage ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13

2. Compassion ‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’ Matthew 25:35 

3. Forgiveness  ‘Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive others’ Colossians 3:13

4. Justice and Equity  ‘Learn to do right.  Seek justice’

5. Respect ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’ Matthew 7:12

6. Thankfulness ‘Always be thankful’ 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Church Values within our Curriculum 

Our curriculum has been carefully designed to be broad and diverse, giving children opportunities to explore, appreciate and develop an understanding of the wider world beyond Bitteswell and Lutterworth. Across our lessons, pupils are encouraged to recognise and reflect on how our school values of courage, compassion, forgiveness, justice, respect and thankfulness are demonstrated in their learning, relationships and everyday experiences.

Alongside our school values, we also explore the wider Christian values that underpin our school's ethos. These values are woven throughout the curriculum and discussed regularly, helping children to consider how they can be lived out in both school and the wider community. Examples include:

The Proudest Blue (KS1-Year 1) Justice – Recognising unfairness, challenging prejudice and promoting equality. Peace – Encouraging understanding between different communities and celebrating diversity rather than fearing it.

Coming to England (KS1- Year 2) Perseverance – Continuing to be hopeful and determined despite setbacks, prejudice and difficulties. Love – Demonstrating care, kindness and acceptance towards others, reflecting Jesus' command to "love your neighbour."

 

The Pebble in My Pocket (KS2- Year 3) Stewardship – Caring for God's creation and recognising our responsibility to protect the environment.Thankfulness – Appreciating the beauty, diversity and wonder of the natural world. Awe and Wonder – Reflecting on the magnificence of creation and the incredible story of our planet.

Varjak Paw (KS2- Year 4)- Humility – Recognising that true strength comes from learning, listening and serving others rather than seeking power. Wisdom – Using knowledge and experience to make thoughtful decisions, as Varjak learns the Way of Jal. Responsibility – Accepting the consequences of decisions and using talents to help others.

Shackleton’s Journey (KS2 Year 5) Service – Putting the needs and wellbeing of others before your own. Trust – Having confidence in others and working together towards a shared goal. Perseverance – Continuing despite setbacks, hardship and disappointment.

 

All Aboard the Empire Windrush (KS2-Year 6) Community & Thankfulness – Appreciating and valuing the contribution that the Windrush generation has made to British society, particularly their fight for a more just and fairer society. Courage – Beginning a new life in an unfamiliar country and facing challenges with resilience. Compassion – Showing empathy towards those who experience discrimination or hardship. Justice – Recognising unfairness and promoting equality, inclusion and fairness for all.

 

Courageous Advocacy

 

At St Mary's C of E Primary School, we place a strong emphasis on nurturing pupils to become courageous advocates for social justice. We encourage our children to recognise the needs of others and to take meaningful action, making a positive difference not only within our local community but also nationally and globally.

Across many areas of our curriculum, we teach our pupils the importance of showing compassion and taking action to help others, regardless of who they are or where they come from. This understanding is rooted in the teachings of the Bible and enriched through learning about courageous advocates for change, both past and present. 

Here at St Mary's we are also a part of a Twinning project in which we link with an international overseas school. We are linked to a school in Pakistan which is called Razal Memon and it is in the Sindh Province.  This is a chance for mutual cultural exchange. The children participate to exchange information relating to language, food, culture, climate, environment and the arts.  The school also raises money for Razel Memom, through charity events such as through our Harvest Festival Service.

Our school community and curriculum encourage every child to develop a sense of responsibility for the world around them. Together, we explore the wonder and diversity of creation, recognise the fragility of our environment, and reflect on how our choices and actions can positively influence the well-being of others and the wider world.

We believe it is important for our children to understand their role as active members of their local, national and global communities. We encourage them to take responsibility, value the contribution they can make and recognise that even small actions can have a positive impact on the lives of others and the world we share.

Oak class have been considering how they can be courageous advocates for change through their annual enterprise project. 

 

Minster Community Project

     

Last year, our school joined the community minster project to enhance the school’s ability to live out its Christian vision and to live up to its foundation as a Church school, enabling people to flourish. In doing so, we completed a story board of our school by the staff and pupils. We also created a collage of prayers and thoughts and displayed them on a large picture of our local church. 

Vision and Mission Statement

   

 

Collective Worship 

Our Collective Worship is a time when our school family can come together for reflection, learning, prayer and singing.  It is a time when we can be still together, engage and respond if we feel we would like to. This daily act of worship is central to our school vision and ethos and it is inclusive, invitational and inspiring.

Each term, our Collective Worship focusses on one of our Christian Values. This gives our children the opportunity to delve further into the value. 

Within each collective worship, there is the following pattern of gathering, engaging, responding and sending with simple phrases marking the different parts.

Every Friday there is a family worship where children’s achievements and birthdays are celebrated. Each week there is also a singing worship where songs and hymns are learnt to support themes and special moments in the life of the school.

Children visit the local parish church of St Mary’s, Bitteswell, for special celebrations during the school year, linked to church festivals to remember special events or happenings and for school events to which parents and visitors are invited.

Reverend Nigel from Lutterworth and Bitteswell Churches, alongside Ben Horrex and our Church Community family often visit our school and Church to lead worship.  There are also regular contributions from Lutterworth Methodist Church and our children lead Open the Book. We welcome speakers from other denominations, charities and organisations.

Music is a huge part of our worship: Hymns and songs create the opportunity for children to express prayers, thoughts and feelings that are difficult to put into words; and they provide a real source of pleasure. Members of staff select music appropriate to the theme and draw pupils’ attention to it by giving a simple explanation.  Pupils and staff perform live music which is a wonderful way to enhance our worship.

 

Religious Education at St Mary's C of E Primary School

At St Mary's C of E Primary School, Religious Education plays a vital role in developing children's understanding of themselves, others and the world around them. Through RE, pupils are encouraged to explore life's big questions about meaning, purpose, belief, identity and what it means to be human.

Our curriculum provides opportunities for children to learn about Christianity and a range of other world religions and beliefs within local, national and global contexts. Pupils are encouraged to investigate different viewpoints, ask thoughtful questions and consider how beliefs influence the way people live their lives.

Through discussion, reflection and enquiry, children learn to value wisdom from a variety of sources, developing the confidence to express their own ideas and beliefs while listening respectfully to the views of others. They are encouraged to agree or disagree with sensitivity, understanding that diversity of belief enriches our communities.

Ways of knowing 

Religious Education equips pupils with a secure knowledge and understanding of religions and world-views, enabling them to develop their own values, identity and sense of belonging. It also fosters the skills of dialogue, empathy and critical thinking, preparing children to participate positively in our diverse and multicultural society.

Throughout their learning, pupils develop the ability to interpret and evaluate religious texts, sources of wisdom and authority, and other forms of evidence. They learn to articulate their personal beliefs, values and experiences with clarity and respect, recognising the right of others to hold different beliefs.

The principal aim of Religious Education at St Mary's C of E Primary School is to explore what people believe and how those beliefs shape the way they live. By engaging with these questions, pupils gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to make sense of religion and belief, while reflecting on their own values, choices and ways of living.

 

 

Spirituality 

Windows, Mirror, Doors and Candle Moments.

A focus on spirituality enables our children to be happy, to flourish and to live life in all its fullness. 

As a school we have chosen Windows, Mirrors, Doors and Candle Moments as a metaphor to support our children's understanding of spirituality. 

Windows

We are looking out into the works and becoming aware of its wonders; sometimes things that are wonderful but also sometimes things that are awful and make us wonder and ask questions. 

Mirrors

Looking in at ourselves, learning from our own and other's responses.  We allow time for individual and group reflection and sharing of perspectives. 

Doors

Doors are for moving through in order to be active, express ourself in a way of response. This can be done simply through a change in attitude, behaviour or thinking.  It can also be expressed through something we do or say. 

Spirituality will happen in all aspects of school life and beyond, not just through worship and there will be time and space woven through our curriculum and daily life where we can be spiritual and encourage spirituality. 

 

Prayer and Prayer Spaces