St. Mary's is a vibrant and nurturing Church of England Primary School where Christian values form the cornerstone of our ethos and education. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, we are committed to fostering a community where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to flourish academically, socially, and spiritually.

At St. Mary's, our Christian distinctiveness is woven into every aspect of school life, creating a warm and inclusive environment where children can grow in faith and understanding. 

Key aspects of our Christian ethos include:

Partnership with the Parish Church and Diocese

Our school enjoys strong ties with the local parish church which serves as a focal point for our spiritual journey.  It is a place where our pupils, staff, and families come together to worship and celebrate. Our weekly church services, either at St. Mary's Church or in school, allow our children to engage with Christian teachings and traditions in a meaningful way, fostering a sense of belonging to the wider Christian community.

In addition to our collaboration with the parish church, we are proud of our partnership with the diocese. Through this partnership, we receive invaluable support, guidance, and resources that enhance our Christian distinctiveness and educational provision. Together with the diocese, we strive to instill core Christian values such as compassion, respect, and responsibility in our children, empowering them to make positive contributions to society and embrace diversity with empathy and understanding.

Inclusion and Celebrating our Diversity

We welcome families from all faiths and none. Although our Christian ethos is an important part of who we are, we also recognise and celebrate our diverse local community and so we take every opportunity to learn from each other and about each other. This may take the form of sharing prayers and special celebrations from other faiths, leaning about each others families, cultural heritage and traditions. As we are a school with a Christian character, our Religious Education curriculum reflects this through learning about Christianity in every year group but we also believe it is important to learn about various world faiths and beliefs so these are also taught in every year group. Please see our curriculum page for more information. We aim to make links between ideas and values in faiths and beliefs so that our pupils grow up as respectful, compassionate and understanding people.

Integration of Christian Values

Central to our school vision and values are the Christian values of love, compassion, respect, and forgiveness. Through daily collective worship, assemblies, and classroom activities, we encourage the children to embody these values in their interactions with others and in their approach to learning.

Enriching Spiritual Development

We believe that spiritual development is essential for the holistic growth of every child. Our dedicated staff and church team provide opportunities for reflection, prayer, and contemplation, nurturing the spiritual well-being of our children and helping them explore questions of faith and meaning.

Celebrating Christian Festivals

Throughout the academic year, we joyfully celebrate Christian festivals such as All Saints Day, Christmas, Shrove Tuesday, and Easter. These occasions provide rich opportunities for learning about the significance of these events within the Christian faith, as well as for coming together as a school community to rejoice and reflect.

Inclusive Community Engagement

Our school is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community where all individuals are respected and valued. The team at St. Mary's Church support this and actively involve children and families in religious life, offering prayer space activities, curriculum support for teaching and learning, and engaging events during school holidays and Christian festivals.

Curriculum Enrichment

Our curriculum is enriched with Christian values and teachings, providing the children with a solid foundation for moral and ethical decision-making. Through engaging lessons and cross-curricular activities, we encourage children to explore biblical narratives, engage in thoughtful discussions, and develop a deeper understanding of their own faith journey.

At St. Mary's, we are dedicated to nurturing the spiritual, moral, and social development of every child, empowering them to become compassionate and responsible members of society. We welcome families of all faiths and backgrounds to join us on this enriching educational journey rooted in Christian principles.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our Christian ethos and educational philosophy, please don't hesitate to get in touch or arrange a visit to our school. We look forward to welcoming you into our vibrant community of learners and believers.