Four schools in the Diocese have recently been presented with Church School Excellence Awards. These accolades have been awarded in recognition of the impact of the Church school's Christian vision on the students and adults. This involves looking at the school’s Christian vision, the provision the school makes because of this vision and how effective this provision is in enabling all pupils to flourish.
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Barnack Church of England Primary School
‘Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles’. Isaiah 40: 31
The overarching opinion from the SIAMS inspector was that ‘vision and values drive all areas of school life. Pupils and adults soar at Barnack CE Primary, as they are personally known and supported to thrive in this aspirational school community.’
Spiritual flourishing was highlighted as a strength of the school with regular opportunities given for pupils and adults to pause and reflect throughout the school day. This included collective worship which was described as ‘the heartbeat of the school’, uniting the school community in their endeavour to reflect on God, self, others and the world.
The school was identified as ‘outward looking’ where pupils and adults regularly use their gifts, time and talents to serve one another, those in their community and the wider world.
Read Barnack CE Primary School's SIAMS report here
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Little Houghton Church of England Primary School
'So that each child can flourish- like a flower of the field' (Psalm 103:15)
At Little Houghton CE Primary School, it was reported that leaders have set out an aspirational and inspiring vision which motivates everyone with the vision and values impacting ‘positively on the lives of pupils, their families and staff.’
There is a clear understanding of spirituality and ‘rich opportunities’ are given to support spiritual development in the curriculum and in wider school life.
Collective worship is a much-anticipated event in the school day and contributes significantly to the spiritual development of pupils and adults. Songs and prayers are participated in enthusiastically with pupils exclaiming that they ‘shine as they sing’. A range of different approaches to collective worship ensure that all pupils and adults find it relatable and relevant to them. There is exceptionally inclusive support for all pupils but especially those who have special needs or disabilities.
Pupils thoroughly enjoy RE lessons, giving them opportunities to celebrate similarities between faiths but also recognizing the diversity across faiths.
Pupils initiate acts of care for others and the world with the school vision promoting the importance of community and the environment and giving opportunities for pupils to demonstrate how they can be ‘agents for change’. A prayer space activity on climate change resulted in pupils doing a litter pick in the community – their way of showing care for their piece of the earth.
Read Little Houghton CE Primary School's SIAMS report here
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St James Church of England Primary School, Northampton
'In everything, treat others the same way you want them to treat you'. (Matthew 7: 12)
Inspectors recognised that the Christian vision at St James CE Primary School is a ‘powerful, transformative response to the needs of a richly diverse community’. It unites people and encourages the flourishing of pupils and adults with inclusion lying at the heart of the school. All, regardless of ability or background, are ‘welcomed, loved and nurtured’ which, as a result allows pupils and adults ‘to thrive in body, mind and spirit’.
Collective worship contributes to the building of a strong sense of community. Worship centres around exploring values and pupils look forward to completing ‘Values Passports’ as they are rewarded for showing the teaching from the values in their life in and out of school.
The school has a strong partnership with the local church and the clergy regularly lead communion services in the school. These provide deeply spiritual moments for pupils and adults. Religious education is highly valued across the school and due to an ‘effective and creative curriculum’, the pupils make good progress with their learning.
Read St James CE Primary School's SIAMS report here
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Cottesmore
'Do not fear, only believe.' Mark 5:36
St Nicholas CEVA Primary School is driven by its vision which is ‘shared and well embedded’ throughout the school and pupils flourish because of this. Collective worship ‘inspires adults and pupils to live out the vision’ through the exploration of their Christian values. Bible stories and verses, along with singing, reflection and prayer significantly contribute to everyone’s spiritual development. Prayer is a feature of life in the school. It is thoughtfully used and leads to stillness, ably led by pupils and adults.
Informed by the Christian vision the school has clear plans to develop pupils understanding of their place in the world. The curriculum at St Nicholas’ ‘offers opportunities for them to explore injustice and to be encouraged to make a difference in the world.’
Giving support to charities such as Water Aid ‘provides a strong moral purpose’ and encourages pupils to explore the needs of those in the wider world.
Religious Education is given high priority in the school with pupils learning through drama, dance, music and other creative ways. This leads to excitement about the subject and results in an understanding of the rich diversity of world faiths and world views.
Read St Nicholas CEVA Primary School's SIAMS report here
Following the publication of the SIAMS reports, the Diocesan Board of Education has awarded each school with a specially engraved plaque. These plaques have been presented by Bishop Debbie Sellin, Archdeacon Alison Booker and Archdeacon Richard Ormston, with the Diocesan Director of Education, Peter Cantley at special celebrations at each school attended by pupils, staff, and Foundation Governors.