Christian Character
Christian Character is developed through:
The school promotes the achievement of all groups through assessment, planning for different needs and analysis of performance that identifies pupil outcomes for specific pupil groups. The school values achievement across all areas of the curriculum and school life through its weekly celebration assembly.
The Head Teacher has ensured that RE is a core subject and from 2017, as an outstanding RE school, we lead by example to support other schools as one of Gloucestershire’s RE Hubs.
Learners speak positively about their achievements, their personal strengths and the way the school affirms them through regular performances, involvement in worship and pupil surveys.
The school promotes health and well-being through teaching on relationships, safe practices, healthy eating resulting in pupils speaking responsibly about such areas and their importance in class worship.
The spiritual, moral, social and cultural developments of all learners are explicitly related to Christian values through policy and planning. These values are reviewed every five years so that as a community we are clear about how we move forward as a distinctive Christian school.
Our curriculum provides opportunities for learners to explore other cultures, beliefs and practices. Learners are given opportunities to appreciate and respond to the wonder and beauty of God’s creation, including the natural world and the arts especially during creative arts week, residentials and through numerous visits and visitors to school.
The school provides opportunity for prayer and reflection in collective worship and at other times. Learners engage in prayer in worship, before lunch and at the end of the day. They have regular opportunities to plan and engage worship, whether through class led worship, worship in church, as part of the worship team or as individuals.
The school promotes clearly defined Christian, spiritual, moral and social values both within the curriculum, collective worship and other activities eg a buddy system and helping around school.
Learners are able to explain notions of right and wrong and discuss reasons for and consequences of behaviour, individually or in contexts such as circle time and RE, based upon Christian teaching.
Learners show concern for the local, national and global world community supporting numerous charities and community projects throughout each school year.
The school's Christian status is seen visually through displays and symbols in important areas such as the hall, entrance, during worship and in each classroom, with their prayer stations.
Pupils and parents speak of the school as welcoming and secure, promoting positive relationships based on Christian values, where their views are listened to and their contribution is valued. Vulnerable pupils and their parents are well supported by the staff, Inclusion Lead and Senior Leadership Team.
Christian values help children develop strong relationships in school. Values are integral to all policies such as Behaviour, Anti-Bullying to support and help pupils. As such, serious behaviour issues are extremely rare as children and adults get on well, which leads to a positive learning environment. Children showing particular values are sometimes acknowledged with a commendation at the weekly whole school Achievement assembly, demonstrating the impact of the values in school.
School Values Term 1 HOPE
Hope
School Values Term 2 Community
An Inclusive Community
Community is at the heart of our school and that commitment to our school community and their commitment to us is always visible. Community is one of our School Drivers which means it feeds through our curriculum and beyond.
We have a very strong and supportive community at St Mary's and this gives our school a small family feel but with the benefits of a wider community so that our curriculum offer and wider offer to our curriculum can be enhance through these connections.
We are proud of our community, our PTFA and our relationship with our church.
We have built up many relationships through the community allowing us to provide above and beyond the daily curriculum. Some examples of this are:
- Biannual Science and Technology Fair - the PTFA lead this event and bring together Scientists and Engineers from around the South West to exhibit what they do, involve children in immersive experiences setting high aspirations for their futures and engaging children in our whole community in Thornbury how Scientist, Medics and Engineers work to make a better future.
- Biannual Creative Arts Fair - this is new for 2024 and runs every other year to the Science and Technology Fair. This is also open to the whole community, providing opportunities to explore the creative arts from dance to pottery. Again local business, artist and creatives are coming together to offer this huge experience for children and adults in Thornbury.
- New this year, we have a Carol Singer Choir going to Beech House to bring some Christmas Joy and spread Christmas cheer.
We are supported by our community in many ways too. Some examples of this are:
- The Lions club have donated money and their time to help us paint our School; they have also donated books and funds for more books to add to our library.
- We have obtained a grant from a local beneficiary for our outdoor space to promote health and well-being.
- We have had volunteers readers come into school to listen to children read
- Our PTFA, parents and friends have helped us paint every classroom, the libraries and the hall.
- The B and A Group - a local company - have given us £3000 towards our new chrome books.