Church School Values

Our Vision

“Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” Proverbs 22:6

Our vision is to nurture every person’s unique God-given potential by teaching them how to live with respect, compassion, and integrity, so that the values they learn today will guide them for a lifetime.

Our children will strive to be the best they can be.

At St Botolph’s we live out our vision through these three core concepts:

Nurturing Potential
Guided by Values
Living Well Together

How do we ‘Nurture Potential?’

At St Botolph’s, we believe every child is created in the image of God, with unique gifts and the potential to flourish. Nurturing potential is not just about academic achievement—it’s about developing the whole child spiritually, morally, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. This is also demonstrated through our Christian Values of Perseverance and Thankfulness.

A Personalised Approach – We recognise that each child is different. Through high-quality teaching, pastoral care, and targeted support, we meet children where they are and help them grow. We celebrate progress, effort, and resilience, not just results.
A Culture of High Expectations and Encouragement – We create a safe and inclusive environment where children are encouraged to take risks, explore their talents, and challenge themselves. Our Christian ethos underpins a belief that everyone can grow, learn, and succeed.
Spiritual and Moral Development – Rooted in our Christian vision and values, we provide opportunities for reflection, prayer, and collective worship, allowing children to consider who they are and what they can become. Through RE and daily life, they explore ‘big questions’ about purpose, responsibility, and their place in God’s world.
Broad and Balanced Curriculum – Our rich curriculum provides both depth and breadth—enabling children to discover and develop interests in arts, sports, sciences, and the humanities.
Empowering Children to Lead – We nurture leadership through pupil voice, school council, our collective worship committee and play leaders. Children are trusted to take responsibility and make a difference in our community, helping them realise their capacity to influence the world for good.
Supporting Wellbeing and Resilience – Recognising that emotional and mental wellbeing is foundational to learning, we invest in pastoral support, emotional literacy, and positive relationships. We teach children strategies to manage challenges and grow in confidence.
Partnership with Families and Community – We work in partnership with parents and carers to understand each child’s needs, and we involve the wider community and church to provide a nurturing network of care and encouragement.

How We Are Guided by Values at St Botolph’s?

At St Botolph’s, our values are not simply words on the wall—they are the heartbeat of our school. Rooted in Christian teaching and inspired by the life and example of Jesus, we intentionally nurture the values of respect, compassion, friendship, thankfulness, truthfulness, and perseverance.

Values-Infused Curriculum – Our values are the ‘Golden Threads of our curriculum.
Worship that Shapes Character – Through daily collective worship, children are invited to reflect on biblical stories and teachings that connect with real-life situations. Worship is inclusive, invitational, and inspirational—giving space to explore what it means to live well and serve others.
Values in Action – We encourage children not just to know our values, but to live them. From acts of kindness in the playground to standing up what is right, pupils understand that values must be seen in how we treat one another.
Modelling by All Staff – Our team strives to model Christian values in how we teach, speak, and lead.
Celebrating Values – We regularly celebrate when children demonstrate values through weekly Christian Values awards and recognition.

How do we Live Well Together at St Botolph’s?

Living well together is a central to what we do. As a Christian school, we believe that every person is created by God, deeply loved, and worthy respect. This is also demonstrated through our Christian Values of Compassion and Friendship.

A Welcoming, Inclusive Community – We work hard to create an environment where everyone feels safe, included, and celebrated for who they are. We embrace diversity and teach children to show empathy, respect, and curiosity about others.
Forgiveness – Conflict is part of life, but we approach it as a chance to grow. We teach restorative practices that help children say sorry, forgive, and repair relationships.
Strong Relationships with Church and Community – Our partnership with St Botolph’s Church helps us express our Christian distinctiveness through shared worship, service projects, and mutual care. We also serve our wider community through a range of charity events.
Everyone Has a Voice – We actively listen to our children, staff, families, and governors. Through pupil leadership we ensure all feel seen and heard.

Useful Documents:

Church School Vision

Our Christian School Environment

At St Botolph’s, our Christian identity is not only visible—it is woven into the very fabric of daily school life. From the moment you arrive, the entrance radiates a sense of welcome and belonging, with prominent Christian symbols such as a large wooden cross, reflective artwork, prayer tree and ‘Take What You Need’ display that express the heart of our school’s ethos and vision. A striking image of St Botolph’s Church celebrates our deep-rooted connection to our parish and local community, reminding us that we are part of a wider Christian family.

Within each classroom, a small reflection area provides children with a quiet space for prayer, stillness, and spiritual growth. These areas include a cross designed by the pupils themselves, a Bible, and a display of our current Christian value—making faith both accessible and meaningful in the everyday rhythm of school life.

At the centre of our bright and welcoming atrium stands a baptismal font—symbolising new life, renewal, and belonging in the Christian faith. This central space is also used to showcase symbols and artefacts connected to our Christian values, helping children see them as living principles that shape who we are and how we live.

Throughout the school, beautifully designed wall art brings biblical stories, such as Noah’s Ark, to life and visually reinforces our values, sparking curiosity and reflection as children walk the corridors.

Our school hall—where we gather daily for collective worship—is a sacred space in its own right. A large, vibrant cross is complemented by liturgical artefacts such as a candle and coloured cloths, helping children connect visually and spiritually with Christian practices. Murals depicting the Creation Story and Noah’s Ark further support pupils in engaging with scripture in age-appropriate, imaginative ways.

The use of coloured fabrics throughout the year marks the seasons of the Church calendar—Advent, Lent, Easter, and more—enriching children’s understanding of the Christian story and their place within it.

Altogether, our environment at St Botolph’s speaks clearly of our identity as a Church of England school.