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Valuing everyone, broadening horizons and providing the widest of opportunities for all

We believe that every person in our school community should flourish and broaden their horizons. Therefore, it is the element of 'enrichment’  that defines our school;  we are a church school that endeavours to provide the widest of opportunities for all.

Within our caring and nurturing environment and guided by our shared Christian values, we aim to ensure that all voices in our school family can be heard and all  are engaged in learning that develops and challenges them, excites their imagination and provides an opportunity to achieve their full potential.

We see everyone and everything as valued in the eyes of God and recognise that all the members of our family are individuals as we work together towards a society of mutual respect, compassion and justice.

Theological Underpinning

The parable of the Mustard Seed underpins our vision and drivers; it is a powerful reminder that incredible things come from the smallest of beginnings, but it also illustrates the abundant life-giving nature of God’s kingdom for all who seek it.

Matthew 13:31-32

“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Several years ago, our older pupils were discussing how Christians believe that every person is important in God’s eyes and that each of us has a purpose. This reminded them of a quotation from one of their favourite authors, JRR Tolkien:

 “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." ............ JRR Tolkien.

Tolkien was a practising Christian and, in a letter to a friend written in 1953, described The Lord of the Rings as a “fundamentally religious and Catholic work”. We recognise in this quotation Tolkien’s Christian beliefs and we also affirm the importance of each member of our school community to creating a future of justice, peace and kindness. Every child and adult associated with the school is not just important because they are members of the school, but because they are seen as unique individuals within God's creation. This quote reminds us that no matter how small we feel, God can still use us for His Glory.  We place great importance on every child who belongs to our school and endeavour to plant the seeds to encourage them to show their uniqueness and to reach their full potential.

Spiritual Development

As a school that ‘values everyone’ and seeks the ‘flourishing’ of all, we place high regard on spirituality and spiritual development. We recognise that as well as academic and emotional intelligence, human beings also have spiritual intelligence, and as such, these spiritual aspects of life will be recognised and nurtured alongside the academic and emotional needs of all, so that all can achieve their ‘full potential’. One way in which we seek to do this is through our twelve Christian values, which are woven through all aspects of the life of our school (see below). Although these values are rooted in and draw from Christian tradition, they are also values that can be shared by all. Our school is a place that welcomes those of all faiths and none, honouring the diverse worldviews that make up the community. Our school is also a place where challenge through questioning is encouraged as through this we can encourage all to make sense of the world, the gift of life and the purpose of our own lives.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

In our school, we value everyone and actively seek to broaden our pupils’ horizons. It is really important to us that every voice is heard and feels it is heard. It is only through this, we believe, that we can fulfil our potential and flourish as a community. For our school, the sentiment of Liz Fosslien is a meaningful reminder of how important it is that we strive to accomplish our vision and it is not merely an exercise that can be readily accomplished:

“Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.”

At St Andrew’s, every child has a unique song to sing and we must encourage them to sing it.

The symbol widely used by our school is the tree. We believe that our school is like that tree, whose branches will not only sustain those who live within, but will also reach out to our community, providing shade, shelter and life for the community of Woodhall Spa.

This tree, our school, is home to not just the children, but to the parents, staff and member of our wider community. All can be nurtured in and by our school, allowing all to flourish.

School Policies

Please follow the link below to see:

• Collective Worship Policy
• Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Policy

Religious Education

Please follow the link below to see:

• Religious Education Curriculum Journey