Christian Values & Vision
Our aim at Coniston Church of England Primary School is to provide an education of the highest quality underpinned by Christian ethos and values, based on the life and teaching of Jesus, to children of all backgrounds and abilities. We offer an education which aims to meet the needs of pupils both academically and in terms of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. As a church school we welcome children of all faiths and none but we ask that parents and children support our Christian values and ethos.
We work hard to ensure our children are respectful, hardworking, thoughtful and caring with Jesus as our role model and this is what makes our school a unique place of learning, for every child in our care.
As a school community we have chosen the following scripture quote from Joshua as our strapline:
‘Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’
We have this quote engraved on a wooden cross which is currently situated in our school hall and we enjoy singing the content of this quote too in our whole school assemblies.
As well as the quote from Joshua, we have a favourite quote from John Ruskin too which is: ‘When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece.’ As members of our school, we aspire to work together and help each other when needed for the greater good of all. John Ruskin read the Bible every single day. His parents were devout Christians and he memorised whole sections of the Bible. As a young boy he was encouraged to give a sermon at home on Sundays after lunch. His first sermon, age 5, consisted of three words, ‘People be good.’ As members of the school community, we aspire to this.
We recognise that the Bible also offers us a set of values which are the Christian values that are part of all we do, and are part of a worldwide acknowledgement by all Christians as a good way to live. The Christian Values we use ensure our children develop into excellent citizens and role models for the future. We complete these in a two year rolling program. We feel that these Christian Values work hand in hand to support our individual school motto. The Christian Values we use are:
Respect
Perseverance
Service
Stewardship
We centre all our curriculum plans, target setting, professional dialogue and progress meetings with our core Christian values at the centre whilst also incorporating the Church of England’s Vision for Education which is for the common good of the whole community. These strands are:
Educating for wisdom, knowledge and skills: enabling discipline, confidence and delight in seeking wisdom and knowledge, and developing talents in all areas of life.
Educating for hope and aspiration: enabling healing, repair and renewal, coping wisely when things go wrong, opening horizons and guiding people into ways of fulfilling them.
Educating for community and living well together: a core focus on relationships, participation in communities and the qualities of character that enable people to flourish together.
Educating for dignity and respect: the basic principle of respect for the value and preciousness of each person, treating each person as a unique individual of inherent worth.
