Vision

Our vision is to create a nurturing and enquiring environment where individuals develop a sense of wonder, awe, and mystery. We aim to explore the spiritual claims and moral dimensions of the Christian faith, fostering spiritual beliefs and moral values. Through empathy, cooperation, and reflection, we seek to find worth, meaning, and purpose in life, inspired by qualities such as imagination, creativity, compassion, and human achievement. Additionally, we celebrate cultural and religious diversity, recognizing and respecting the richness it brings.

Rainbow Values 

Our Rainbow Values form a central tenant for our school and play a very influential role in a school life. They were developed by our community to provide a set of values that would help to empower all of us.

Each of our Rainbow Values has a biblical quote attached to it and a different value is explored each half term: 

Love                 

Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus answered ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbour as you love yourself.'

Kindness         

Luke 10:25-37
Parable of the Good Samaritan

Cooperation    

Romans 12:6a 

We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace that God gave us.

Trust                       

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust the Lord with all your heart.

    Don’t depend on your own understanding.

Remember the Lord in everything you do.

    And he will give you success.

Responsibility 

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky. Let them rule over the tame animals, over all the earth and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.'

Respect          

1 Peter 2:17

Show respect for all people. Love the brothers and sisters of God’s family. Respect God.

Honesty          

Psalm 25:21

My hope is in you. So may goodness and honesty guard me.

(From the International Children’s Bible translation version)

Spiritual Development 

It is important to consider what is meant by spiritual development so that, as we attempt to move toward it, we have as clear an idea as possible of what we mean. 

Spiritual development is a process of growth and, in the same way that there can be moral development, there can be spiritual development.

We use the concept of Mirrors, Window, and Doors. Please see the diagram below:

Spiritual development has many aspects and, as a school, we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable children to:

• Sustain their self-esteem in their learning experience
• Develop their capacity for critical and independent thought
• Foster their emotional life and express their feelings
• Experience moments of stillness and reflection
• Discuss their beliefs, feelings, values and responses to personal experiences
• Form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationships
• Reflect on, consider and celebrate the wonders and mysteries of life
• Respond by putting into action what they believe
• Express their beliefs and have an awareness and sensitivity of diversity that will enable them to succeed in our modern world.

The school’s approach to spiritual and moral development is evident through the following:

• Collective Worship
• School Ethos
• Spirituality Days – a day that includes a specific spiritual focus. It usually ends with an Agape worship. There are 3 each year.
• Behaviour and Relationship Policy
• Equalities Policies
• RE
• PSHE and Community Time
• Community Groups
• Each curriculum area
• Other areas of school life, including extra-curricular activities; e.g. clubs, visits, visitors
• Links with Holy Trinity Church and the wider community

Spiritual development can be encouraged through:

• good quality music and art
• literature, poetry and drama
• the natural world
• times of silence and time for reflection, contemplation and prayers
• attractive displays
• visits to Holy Trinity Church, Wells Cathedral and other local places of worship
• use of our Forest School area for focused teaching sessions led by teaching assistants and at lunchtimes
• Community Time
• PSHE lessons

Through classroom discussions, we will give the children opportunities to:

• talk about personal experiences and beliefs
• express and clarify their own ideas and beliefs
• speak about difficult events; e.g. bullying, bereavement, divorce
• share thoughts and feelings with other people
• explore relationships with friends, family and others
• consider the needs and behaviour of others
• show empathy
• develop self-esteem and a respect for others
• develop a sense of belonging

Each term, we have a whole school Spirituality Day, which gives staff and children the opportunity to immerse themselves in a theme (e.g. Advent, Remembrance, Responsibility).  An Agape Service for the whole school community, is the focal point of the day. This is led by a different year group in turn, held in the church and to which parents of the year group leading are invited. During the day, there are planned opportunities for reflection, wonder, questioning, stillness, reverence and a deeper understanding of the beliefs of others is developed.  Members of the Clergy and some of our Governors are actively involved in these days which give children the opportunity to experience a diverse range of approaches.

In addition, the school environment is more conducive to spiritual development when:

• opportunities are organised for smaller group activities
• older children are positively encouraged to care for younger members of the school
• there are opportunities throughout the year for older and younger children to share work
• collective worship is organised in smaller groups, such as Key Stages or classes
• more quality time is made available to listen to children when possible

Moral Development 

It is important that children are given clear guidance as to what is right and wrong and what is not acceptable behaviour, so that they can develop a moral code of their own that is socially acceptable.

The foundation for this guidance is the school Rainbow Values;

• love
• kindness
• co-operation
• trust
• responsibility
• respect
• honesty

Further guidance is in the Rainbow Rules;

Love: We will not judge people based on what we think or what we see but keep an open mind so we can learn who people really are.

Kindness: We will always use kind actions and kind words towards one another.

Cooperation: We will listen to each other and use positive comments so we can work together well.

Trust: We will treat private spaces with respect and complete our special roles responsibly, to earn trust.

Responsibility: We will take responsibility for our actions, our learning, our environment, and our well-being.

Respect: We will show respect by being thoughtful of other people by listening, waiting for our turn, speaking politely and not disturbing people who are working.

Honesty: If something goes wrong, we will tell the truth when asked.

 

As well as our Rainbow Values, we also explore other important values, for example;

• understanding and empathy
• forgiveness
• acceptance
• fairness and justice
• perseverance

Moral development has many aspects and, as a school, we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable children to:

• recognise the unique value of each individual
• recognise the challenge of religious teaching
• listen and respond appropriately to the views of others
• gain the confidence to cope with setbacks and learn from mistakes
• take initiative and act responsibly with consideration for others
• distinguish between right and wrong
• show respect for the environment
• make informed and independent judgements

Moral development can be encouraged through:

• fund raising activities, such as Comic Relief, Children in Need, Save the Children, Christmas Jumper
• enterprise activities in classes
• supporting the Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal
• seizing opportunities within the local community; e.g. Year 6 help at the Church Tea Parties,  Inspire sessions, the choir sing at a local nursing home
• themes in worship
• discussions in PSHE lessons
• Community Time
• consideration of other’s points of view through discussion
• celebrating individual’s charitable good deeds in whole school worship

Social Development 

Social development, which is essential for providing our children with the skills to make and sustain positive relationships, involves several aspects:

• the ability to work and play with, as well as respect and value others
• behaviour that is open, polite and friendly
• an ability to wait your turn
• a willingness to share things
• the ability to help others
• an understanding of how society works

Social development has many aspects and, as a school, we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable children to:

• develop an understanding of their individual and group identity
• learn about service in the school and wider community
• show compassion for individuals affected by issues impacting our society

Social development is encouraged by:

• example
• consideration and respect for others
• respecting safety guidelines
• acts of worship
• respecting others property
• reinforcing the school values

Encouraging good manners and courtesy in children benefits the school as a whole.  This includes:

• standing aside when they and another person reach a doorway
• opening doors for visitors
• always saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’
• quiet and calm movement around the school

The standards of behaviour expected by our school are based on our school vision and values, as outlined in the Behaviour and Relationship Policy.

Whole school events to promote social development are planned regularly.  These include our annual service of Remembrance, our support of The Lord’s Larder and welcoming a variety of visitors to talk about their role within the community.

Liaison with pre-schools and secondary schools to support the primary curriculum and effective transition is an established part of the school year.

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Cultural development has many aspects and, as a school, we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable children to:

• recognise the value and richness of cultural diversity in Britain and how these influence individuals and society
• recognise Christianity as the foundation for the rules and values of much of British society including our British Values; mutual respect, democracy, rule of law, tolerance of difference faiths and beliefs and individual liberty.
• develop an understanding of their social and cultural environment

In school, it can involve:

• traditional customs
• law and order
• the arts
• traditional sports
• historical and sometimes foreign influences
• Christianity and multi faiths