Our vision and values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens.

Vision Statement

Jesus offers life in all its fullness, and so we inspire our children to flourish and grow in school, the community and the wider world.

Our school is a safe and caring environment, with Christian values at its heart. Our school respects, and welcomes , all faiths, cultures and communities.

We ensure every child is valued, encouraging them to discover their gifts and potential.

Unique and precious in God's eyes, be the best that you can be.

Jesus said, "I have come in order that you may have life - life in all its fullness."

                                                                                John 10:10

Aims of the School

• To help pupils develop lively, enquiring minds, the ability to question and argue rationally and to apply themselves to tasks and individual skills. 

• To help pupils to acquire knowledge and skills relevant to adult life and employment in a fast changing world through the medium of a wide and varied curriculum.                     

• To help pupils to use language and number effectively.     

• To help pupils to develop respect for religious and moral values, and tolerance of other races, religions and ways of life. 

• To help pupils to understand the world in which they live and the inter-dependence of individuals and ways of life.   

• To help pupils to appreciate human achievements and aspirations.   

Our school is based upon learning through relevant experiences.  All stages of a child's development should be supported by a progressive curriculum and the needs of individual children met through active participation in the learning process.

St Pauls' Whole School Values

Here at St Paul's we have identified ten Christian values that we believe sit at the heart of our school community. Each half term we have a particular focus on one of those values.

Worship is used as an opportunity to talk about our Vision and Values with the whole school community, following our agreed plan. Below you can find our 2-year rolling worship plan and our agreed Bible stories list.

This half term, we are looking at the value of Hope.

Hope

..put your hope in the Lord, because with the Lord there is mercy and with him there is unlimited forgiveness.

Psalm 130 verse 7

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

                                                                                                                                                        Romans 15:13

As we build up to the good news of Easter, we are exploring what the Easter story means to us, what it looks like for us to live in hope and how we can share that hope with the people around us.

Last half term our value was

 Thankfulness

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 106 vs 1

         Previous values:

GENEROSITY

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Miss Harrington shared her poem on generosity in our first assembly for our new value.

FORGIVENESS

Peter asked Jesus how often it is necessary to forgive, and Jesus replied, “Seventy-seven times”

Matthew 18:22

The prayer Jesus taught us is the perfect prayer when asking God for forgiveness.

HONESTY

And so, putting away false words, let everyone say what is true to his neighbour: for we are parts one of another.

Ephesians 4:25

An Honesty Prayer

Dear God,

Help us to be honest when we do something wrong.
Help us not to blame other people, but acknowledge our mistakes,
and apologise and so learn and move on.

Amen

COMPASSION

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

Dear Lord Jesus

Thank you for loving me. Clothe me with compassion towards others.

Make it radiate from my actions and deeds. You are the example for love.

Help me to be a similar example for other people.

Give me a selfless spirit that seeks first to serve others.

Amen

RESPONSIBILITY

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people.

Colossians 3:23

We have discussed Bible stories that reflect our value of Responsibility. They include The Prodigal Son, The Good Samaritan, the Story of Creation and Samuel.

A prayer by one of our Year 5 children

Dear God

You are the most responsible and the most perfect.

Thank you for our school and the responsibility to be independent.

Please help the people that are poor and homeless to get the help that they need and for the government to take responsibility for them.

Please help me to be more responsible and look after my family and friends.

Amen

By Kira, Y5DF

Bible stories and stories from other faiths

We discussed how these stories taught us more about how to live out our school values every day.

Bible stories included: The Good Samaritan, David and Goliath, The Lost Son, Zacchaeus, The Paralysed Man, Noah's Ark and a fun acting competition (children versus teachers) to identify all the stories we've covered.

Perseverance

Blessed is the person who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:12

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 30:41

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13

In Mrs Bouchier's assembly, we thought about God's creation and how thankful we are for all He has given us. We also thought about how we need to take care of this precious gift. She shared a photo of the Hope Valley that is particularly special to her and reminds her to be thankful for the beauty of nature, for the never-ending love of Jesus and for her family.

In our Tuesday church assembly, Reverend Jess read us the story of The Widow's Offering. The story can be found in the New Testament of the Bible in Mark's gospel (Mark 12 vs 41-44).

An earlier school value was:

FRIENDSHIP

Nothing should be done because of pride or thinking about yourself. Think of other people as more important than yourself.

Philippians 2:3

Help each other in troubles and problems. This is the kind of law Christ asks us to obey.

Galatians 6:2

Our school worships on Friendship

This half term, we are looking at the special friends that Jesus chose. We call them his disciples and we are discovering who He chose, why He chose them and what special names He gave to them.

In Year 6, we thought about ourselves and what names Jesus might give to us. We also shared names we thought Jesus might give our friends to demonstrate our strengths and qualities. Finally, we thought about the name we might aspire to if we do not think we are there quite yet.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Matthew 7:12

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

                                                                                                                   Ephesians 4:32

  Forgiveness is…

Forgetting the hurts

Offering a new beginning

Restoring friendships

Given and received

Identifying responsibility

Valuing the truth

Ending an argument

Not holding a grudge

Encouraging honesty

Saying sorry

Starting again

The children and staff were asked about their hopes and dreams for the future. Have a look at some of their responses.