Christian Values

Schools and teachers are a major influence on the developing values of children and young people. Children learn values at school from relationships; everyday classroom interactions from the examples set by adults; and, from more formal attempts led by teachers to engage in values education.

Meaning, ethics and vision must shape the practice of education and as a church school we have the responsibility to ground our values in the teachings of the Christian Faith. It is our Christian tradition which gives our values content and the stories we share with children the values' moral substance.

We select 3 Values over the course of the school year to focus on. However, all the values underpin everything we do at Finstock Church of England Primary School and no one value is ever isolated from the others. 

Our Christian Values work within our foundations to help us fulfil our Vision (Providing all children with the highest level of academic curriculum and pastoral care, with opportunities for spiritual growth and intellectual enquiry.) and live out our Mission Statement (Excellence through faith, friendship, courage and respect.) 

 

The Teaching of Values at Finstock Church of England Primary School

These values are ones that are shared by many people in this country because the Christian faith has for centuries been a driving force in our education and legal system and those values have made their mark on our history.

We actively teach our values in all we do. They are the focus of our Collective Worships and our Class Reflection time. They help us develop our strong ethos.

Whilst Finstock Church of England Primary School is a Christian school, we strongly encourage our pupils to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance.

 

This term's value is Repect

Mark 10.14: Let the children come to me (Mark 10. 14)

Matthew 10.29: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.

Spiritual

esus valued every person equally regardless of status, gender or wealth. He showed a particular bias to those who were poor, in need or at the margins of society at that time. At our school we explore the Christian teaching that every child and adult is made in God's image and is uniquely precious and worthy of respect and kindness.

Moral

Following Jesus' teaching and attitude towards children, our school values every child equally and is proactive about ensuring that no individual is disadvantaged or treated differently due to their social background, gender, sexual orientation or cultural or religious background. We equip children with the skills to recognise prejudice in the media or in the political process. We encourage all within our community to learn about and engage with our nation's democratic processes both locally and nationally to help to support, protect and sustain for the future the respect due to every citizen.

Social

As a community whose life is founded upon Christian values, we do not merely tolerate difference and diversity, we actively celebrate the uniqueness of all individuals. Whilst it may not always be possible to respect the opinions of every member (e.g. if they are sexist, homophobic or racist) we do respect the individual and their right to hold views that are different from our own.

Cultural

As a Church of England school, we strive to create a culture that is characterised by openness, empathy and respect. We try to foster humility and thankfulness in our relationships with one another and the natural world. We continually strive to improve our understanding of different faiths and cultural diversity, celebrating the richness of experience and beliefs represented in British society.

Last term's value wass Forgiveness

1 John 1.9: But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.

Mark 11.25: If you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you.

Spiritual

Jesus came into the world to show us how much we are loved by God; by taking the sins of the whole world upon himself on the cross Jesus made forgiveness and a personal relationship with God possible. We strive to offer every member of our school community a life-giving encounter with the person of Jesus Christ.

Moral

Following Jesus' example, we always offer forgiveness and a fresh start to children and adults who have made mistakes. We teach that an individual's behaviour can have a positive or negative impact on others and that this consideration must be paramount in deciding whether behaviour is appropriate. When sanctions are deemed necessary because behaviour falls short of expectations, we endeavour to demonstrate justice with compassion.

Social

s a community whose life is founded upon Christian values we recognise that forgiveness, offered and received, will be at the heart of all our relationships. We teach about how we can show we are sorry in practical ways and equip individuals with strategies to prevent them from repeating mistakes in the future. We believe that learning from the past and not holding grudges will help to develop character by making us more resilient.

Cultural

As a Church of England school, our behaviour policy is informed throughout by our Christian values. We try not to make assumptions about people or situations before knowing all the facts and circumstances. Decisions about sanctions are made carefully and after consultation. We teach children about the justice system in modern Britain and the emphasis on principles such as the presumption of innocence until proven guilty and the concept of restorative justice.

Autumn term's value was Thankfulness 

Luke 22.19: Jesus broke bread and gave thanks. 

1 Chronicles 29.12: All things come from you and of your own do we give you.

Spiritual

The Gospels record that Jesus gave thanks as he broke bread with his disciples in the upper room at the Last Supper. Throughout his whole life Jesus’ attitude was one of trust in God and thanksgiving for His provision:

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin. (Matthew 6.28)

Moral

Following Jesus example, we believe that an attitude of thankfulness comes from an active appreciation of what we have. We take time to reflect upon the many blessings that we enjoy acknowledging that some people in our own country as well as in the wider world do not have access to basic necessities such as clean air and space and time to play, education, adequate health care, communication technology or even a healthy diet. We regard as a moral imperative the need to work for a more just world out of an attitude of thankfulness for all we have.

Social

As a community, we recognise the Christian belief that each person is made in God's image and reflects his glory. We are thankful for the uniqueness of every individual member of our school and the gifts that we all bring and share to enrich our corporate life.

Cultural

As a Church of England school, acknowledging the Christian belief that creation is a gift from God, we foster an attitude of thankfulness and respect for nature, aware of its fragility and the impact of human activity on the environment. In all that we do, we try to create a culture of making informed, ethical choices in order to minimise any negative impact on the environment. We also work with other organisations to improve the environment for the future generations.