Our Values and Ethos
The Christian ethos of our school underpins everything we do and is illustrated by the 8 Christian values which we focus on. We aim to promote our school as distinctively Christian, whilst remaining inclusive to everyone as the values we have identified are appreciated by other faiths and those of no faith. We have high expectations of our whole school family and the values are reflected in our daily life and explored in our collective worship and in our lessons. We have displays in the school hall, incorporating our values tree and celebrating religious festivals throughout the school and church year. The school’s Christian vision Happy are we who journey together in faith and love. This is based on Matthew 5:3-10. ‘Happy are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Our Christian vision, deeply rooted in Christ’s teaching, the Beatitudes, embraces and enriches all aspects of school life. Our nurturing ethos, committed to promoting a child-centred philosophy and development of the whole child, is firmly based on our core Christian values, as we all journey together in faith and love.All members of the school community live out and proudly promote the core Christian values. Pupils seamlessly link them to the teachings and life of Jesus.Parents and carers are overwhelmingly supportive of the school. They say, ‘You can feel the Christian ethos as soon as you walk in.’ Parents of pupils with complex needs say their children thrive here. Parents see their children practise Christian values at home.
The children say:
Pupils say the vision ‘Helps us with life and builds up trust in Jesus.’ Pupils are taught that life is a journey. They say the school’s Christian values challenge them to push themselves and aspire to be their very best. It is very clear that in this school ‘You can be anything you want to be.’
​What differences should you notice?
As a pupil, parent, visitor or member of staff you should find your Church school is as good as any other good school but you should feel that the way in which the school works is different and distinctive. That distinctive difference will be rooted in Christian values that affect the way everyone behaves and in the way everyone is respected. Around the school, there will be signs and symbols which reflect the Christian heritage on which the school is built. There may also be areas for reflection which contain school prayers and prayers that the children have created themselves. Additionally, there will be a much greater emphasis on links with the local parish church than would usually be the case in a non Church school. However, none of the above should be taken as indicators that Christian beliefs are being enforced. They are ways in which Church schools encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promote Christian values through the experience that they offer all pupils.
What is a Church of England Primary School?
“A community school with a distinctive Christian character.” Long before the government became involved in providing education for everyone in our country, the Church of England had a vision that it wanted every parish to have a school for the education of poor children.
By 1900, there were 5,700 state-funded schools and 14,000 schools funded by the Church of England. Today, approximately a quarter of all primary schools have a Church of England foundation, through which they strive to provide the highest standard of education possible, in partnership with the state.
From the earliest days, the purpose of Church schools was to enable children to flourish by providing a basic education and by developing their moral character. It was always intended that Church schools should be open to all of the children of the parish. The schools are not ‘faith schools’ in the sense of presuming that children are practising Christians or attempting to make converts of them. However, the ethos of the schools is based on distinctively Christian values and they will offer children an experience of faith through collective worship and links with the parish church.
Religious Education in Church schools will always include teaching about other faiths and they will usually follow the same syllabus for RE as non Church schools. Since 2010, some Church schools have been converted into academies. However, this process entails a new way of managing the school apart from the Local Authority and makes no difference to the way in which the foundation ethos of the school is lived out on a day-to-day basis.
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What is added by being a Church of England school?
Church schools have Christian beliefs and values at their heart. This means that every child and adult associated with the school is not just important because they are members of the school but also because they are seen as unique individuals within God’s creation. A church school might have a motto such as “No one left behind!” and the reason would be that everyone is seen as so valuable in God’s eyes that everyone must be supported and encouraged to be the very best they can be. Church schools recognise that as well as academic and emotional intelligence human beings also have spiritual intelligence. The spiritual aspects of life will be recognised, and nurtured alongside the academic and emotional needs of all. Church of England schools are places where questioning of belief and non belief is encouraged as we all try to make sense of the world, the gift of life and the purpose of our own personal lives. Although we live in an increasingly secular society, the values of our country have their roots in the Christian faith. Church schools continue to celebrate this as an aspect of the heritage which enables them to be successful places of learning for children of all faiths and none.
Through our mission statement, we aim to: Provide a safe, caring community. Respect and appreciate each other in anatmosphere which reflects our Christian values. Encourage everyone to work together. Develop partnerships between parents, schooland the wider community. Create a happy place where people matter. Encourage a love of learning and creativity. Bring out the best in every child and helpthem grow into confident, independent citizens. Be responsible for our environment and ourselves.
Contact Details
Mrs S Kelshaw Business Manager All Saints Church of England Primary School, StandRufford Drive,Whitefield,Manchester,M45 8PLFor School Enquiries only:Telephone: 0161 7963392Email: allsaints@bury.gov.uk
For Before and After School Enquiries:Mrs Griffiths-Hand (Before and After School Club Manager)Telephone : 07704323984 orEmail: BAASC@allsaintsbury.comHeadteacher: Mrs M. Farrell Headteacher:
Miss R. Messenger
EYFS Manager: Mrs F. Barrett
SENCo: Mrs Devitt-Hicking
All Saints Stand Church Links between School and All Saints Stand Church
The worship committee has a key role in planning and leading worship in school and church. Mrs Orrell, a member of the church PCC attends the school worship committee and supports their planning and worship.We plan visits to church throughout the year and we hold our Christmas Carol Service and Year 6 Leavers' Service in church as they are such special occasions and we want our families and friends to be able to attend. We are regularly involved in the Harvest service at church. We lead and support the Mothering Day services and we make all the Christingles to hand out in church at the Christingle Service. Mrs Branch represents our school on the church PCC and is an intercessor at church. The classes contribute towards the Church Magazine each month.
