“Let your light shine before people that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” – Matthew ch.5 v 16.
We believe that this bible verse gives the focus which staff, pupils and parents of our school drive to achieve – an environment where each pupil finds and works to develop many talents for the benefit of themselves and others.
Much of our work in worship, lessons, extra curricular activities and social interaction is designed to allow pupils to identify the Christian Values which allow them to shine.
As a church school, Christian faith is at the core of our work.
It sets the guidance for learning, activities and the atmosphere and ethos at St. Margaret’s.
AIMS
These Christian values are explicit in all that we do and are reflected in our aim to:
- create and maintain a safe, secure, caring, supportive and stimulating environment, which is fully inclusive and non-discriminatory and where each child is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.
- encourage pupils to develop an awareness of moral values and an empathetic and positive attitude towards all members of the school and wider Community.
- provide a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum which: ensures continuity and progression; is accessible to all pupils; and appropriate to their individual needs; in accordance with the demands of National Curriculum and with emphasis on the importance of numeracy and literacy.
- be aware of the range of abilities and experiences of all pupils and meet their individual needs (including any special educational needs, disabilities, English as an additional language and special gifts and talents).
- assess, record and track the progress of all individual children and use the information to guide their future progress, (involving pupils, teachers and parents in their further development); ensuring that each child is set demanding but achievable objectives.
- provide opportunities for children to develop their communication, social and problem solving skills, in order to develop independence and self-esteem and to encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour and be aware of the effect it has on other people.
- provide opportunities for children to develop their personal talents and interests within the wider school curriculum.
- provide for children’s religious and spiritual development, including appropriate time and opportunity for high quality Collective Worship and Religious Education.
- ensure that all staff receives the support and training necessary to attain their full potential and to meet the development needs of the school.
- encourage the development of partnerships and professional links between our school and: parents; governors; the church; nurseries; secondary and other local schools; all support services; and the wider community.
Our Key Values
We are a, ‘Caring, Celebratory, Courageous, Christ-like, Community, rooted in Love.’
Find out more about our Christian Values and our ‘hand’ which helps us remember them.
Our Values Links
KS2 Values Reward Scheme
Our KS2 reward system is designed to recognise when pupils ‘Let their light shine’ and also encourage them to focus and develop new skills and ways to do this. Feel free to view the letter to parents below which explains how this system works.
Prayer and Reflection
Opportunities for prayer and reflection are regularly available for pupils in school, during services and at set points in the day, such as lunch time. We believe, however, that prayer, stillness and reflection are vital tools in helping pupils understand themselves and the challenges that modern life can bring. We try to create many opportunities for pupils to think about themselves and others, allowing them to take time to process the impact they can have to help themselves and others, with God’s support.
Visiting the life exhibition with Year 6 pupils, on the day which SAT’s tests finished, offered a great opportunity to answer some of the questions of life and Christianity. With the backdrop of the Cathedral behind them, pupils listened to and watched inspirational videos on personal tablets, answered interactive quizzes and delved in to the life of Jesus in the ‘video tent’. A truly inspirational opportunity to reflect and pray at a very pertinent time. As one pupil commented, ‘It made the Cathedral modern and exciting. It was great to think about God like that and how he could help us after the pressure of SATs this week’.
