Church School Status
What is a Church School?
A Church school exists for the common good of the whole human community and its environment. It is hospitable to diversity, respects freedom of religion and belief, and encourages others to contribute from the depths of their own traditions and understandings. We invite collaboration, alliances, negotiation of differences, and the forming of new settlements in order to serve the flourishing of a healthy plural society.
Our Christian Vision
Learning Together for Life in all its Fullness
We are a school community committed to a deeply Christian vision, with the promise by Jesus of ‘life in all its fullness’ at its heart. This is a vision of human flourishing that embraces the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and social development of pupils and adults.
Our theologically rooted Christian vision enables pupils and adults to flourish.
The school's Christian vision is a lived reality, enabling pupils and adults to flourish within the community we serve.
Educating for Wisdom
'The wise are always learning, always listening for fresh insights'
~ Proverbs 18:15
We will foster confidence, delight and discipline in seeking wisdom, knowledge, truth, understanding, know-how, and the skills needed to shape life well.
Educating for Hope
'Know the hope to which you have been called'
~ Ephesians 1:18
We open up horizons of hope and expectation, and guide pupils into ways of fulfilling them.
Educating for Community
'We the many, are one body'
~ Romans 12:5
We have a core focus on attendance and participation in communities, developing behaviours and attitudes that enable people to flourish together.
Educating for Dignity
'Fearfully and wonderfully made'
~ Psalm 139:13
We believe in the ultimate worth of each person. Human dignity is central to a good education.
The curriculum reflects the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision.
The biblical wisdom tradition and the teaching of Jesus saw the world as a place of wonder, exploration and self-discovery. Our curriculum is ambitious, broad and balanced, giving students the knowledge and skills needed to live life well.
Collective worship enables pupils and adults to flourish spiritually.
'Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.' ~ Philippians 4:8
Collective worship is the unique heartbeat of our school, it is an opportunity for pupils and adults to encounter faith and grow spiritually through experiences of prayer and reflection. We explore some of life’s big questions, respond to national events and share together in the joys and challenges of life.
Our Christian vision creates a culture in which pupils and adults are treated well.
Jesus embodies the centrality of relationships and community bound together in a covenant that commits us to love God and be good neighbours to all.
This is in line with the Jewish scriptures that Jesus taught: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might’ and ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'
To this end we strive to be a hospitable community that seeks to embody an ethos of living well together where the flourishing of the pupils goes along with the flourishing of adults.
Our Christian vision fosters a vibrant culture of justice and accountability.
The Christian gospel is, at its heart, a message of hope for all people and all situations. God invites us to join in with this vision as we work towards the building of his kingdom here on earth.
'And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' ~ Micah 6:8
By empowering young people and adults to claim their voice and take their place as active global citizens, we join in with God’s redemptive work in the world.
Religious education is evaluated with reference to the expectations set out in the Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education.
The RE syllabus follows The Devon Torbay agreed syllabus and the Commission on education: Religion and world views. The RE syllabus contributes to pupils' development of their own beliefs and values, and brings students to a knowledge and understanding of Religion.
Our Core Values
'We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act but a habit.' ~ Aristotle
We are dedicated to delivering world-class support that transforms the lives of our communities. Our mission is to inspire and empower students and staff to dream big, take responsibility, and be kind.
Spiritual Development
Since 1944, schools have been required by law to provide for the spiritual development of pupils. As a Church School we are committed to promoting the spiritual development of pupils and adults.
Spiritual development relates to fundamental questions about the meaning and purpose of life.
The spiritual development of pupils is shown by their:
- ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and world views
- knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths and values
- sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
- use of imagination and creativity in their learning
- willingness to reflect on their experiences